Sarah is an insanely creative graphic designer in Ohio. She and her husband moved into a small 1,100 square foot fixer upper and have managed to transform it into a charming, stylish, peaceful retreat. Sarah dishes out great advice on everything from creating flow to compromising with her husband. Here’s what she has to say.
Choosing a fixer upper over the other, more standard options ended up being a strong decision. It took lots of hard work and elbow grease to get it up to livable conditions, but the home’s abundance of character, historic details, and solid bones made it love at first sight. Although construction and remodeling took more than a year it also gave Sarah an opportunity to make significant changes to the layout of the home. Opening up as many non load-bearing walls as possible helped to create a more natural flow in the home while increasing the size of the kitchen. Similarly, sacrificing a closet during the construction process allowed the bathroom to see a big size increase. The fixer upper, even with construction costs added, was still a steal and resulted in a truly charming home.
The historic home also calls for historic details. Sarah wanted to keep the detailing as close as possible to the original design. This meant sourcing glass doorknobs and even securing skeleton keys for the doors. Moulding and wainscoting were also used to enhance this effect. Some of the other pieces in the home also needed a special touch to match the interiors. Kitchen cabinets were handmade by a small business in Connecticut while the bed was contracted based on a design by Sarah. However, the house is still heavy on modern motifs. The white walls, tile, and cabinetry all give the home a contemporary feel. Green walls in the dining room, dark gray walls in the bedroom, and plants spread throughout the house add a beautiful contrast without ever feeling excessive.
The home is a beautiful example of how to take the historic and make it feel contemporary and beautiful. Take the tour in the article below!
Read the full article here: A Once Neglected Home Beautifully Restored In The Midwest