We love it when clients come back, whether they’re updating a beloved home or starting fresh somewhere new. So when these returning clients purchased a 1904 condo in St. Paul’s Summit Hill, we were thrilled to help them reimagine the space.
The challenge? Preserving the building’s historic charm while transforming a disjointed layout shaped by both original architecture and 1980s renovations into a home that actually supported their entertaining-focused lifestyle.
Originally, the unit’s entry funneled guests awkwardly through a cramped, outdated kitchen. From there, access to the rest of the condo meant squeezing through a narrow passageway, past the butler’s pantry, and into the dining room and main hallway. The result? Poor airflow, limited sightlines, and no clear path for conversation…or even furniture. (The dining table couldn’t even fit down the hall and was exiled to the sunroom!)
Our first priority was reworking the layout. While we adored the charm of the original butler’s pantry, its footprint limited what we could achieve in the kitchen. Removing it opened up possibilities, but then demo day revealed something even better.
Once the walls between the kitchen, butler’s pantry, and dining room came down, the clients were immediately drawn to the expansiveness of the space. So we pivoted on the spot. We redesigned to make the openness permanent, creating a seamless flow between the kitchen and dining room.
An entertainer’s dream realized.
This kitchen blends everything the homeowners loved from their previous home: high-quality finishes like soapstone countertops, an open-concept layout perfect for entertaining, and thoughtful connections between public spaces, with the charm and function they craved in their new home.
We maximized storage with two tiers of cabinetry that take full advantage of the tall ceilings, while warm alder wood and classic detailing pay subtle tribute to the home’s historic character. A custom range hood anchors the space with sculptural presence, and the variegated blue tile backsplash adds just the right touch of color and energy.
Modern lighting with a hint of classic charm adds character and warmth, while the new farmhouse sink blends in so seamlessly, you’d think it was original to the home. Instead of adding an island, which would have disrupted traffic flow, we repurposed a vintage, narrow sideboard from the clients’ own collection. It brings history and soul to the space, and can be easily tucked away during parties when extra floor space is needed.
One of the biggest wins? With the new open layout, we were finally able to move the dining table into the dining room, giving our clients a functional space for hosting and gathering at last.
And then there was the bathroom situation.
With just one full bath in the entire condo, it was far from ideal for entertaining. Fortunately, the adjacent laundry room had more space than it needed. By borrowing square footage, we carved out a new powder room that’s compact, soulful, and filled with artful details.
Now, guests can step off the main entertaining area into a jewel-box powder room that’s both functional and full of personality. The photos below show both before and after the art installation, demonstrating the true power of art to transform a room.
A few design details we can’t help but swoon over:
We improved airflow throughout this entire side of the condo by adding a mini-split system that’s perfectly positioned to circulate air through the newly opened floor plan.
And when an unexpected plumbing placement popped up during construction, we turned it into an opportunity: a custom 9” deep storage cabinet across from the laundry, designed to match the kitchen cabinetry and look completely built-in. A clever solution that feels like it was always meant to be.
The final “must” on the client’s wish list? Transforming the existing bathroom, now the primary, into a soothing, functional retreat. No small feat, considering what we started with.
The original layout included a cramped tub (complete with a DIY step-in hack from a previous owner…dangerous on a good day), a narrow, low passage between the vanity/closet area and the shower/toilet zone, poor lighting that left the shower in a cave-like shadow, and dark, potentially mildewy wallpaper.
To open things up, we removed a large section of wall and soffit between these two zones, instantly connecting the two spaces and allowing overhead and natural light from the window to reach the entire room.
We replaced the tub with a colorful walk-in shower and wrapped the room in timeless tile wainscoting, pairing it with matching mildew-resistant paint for a seamless look. We layered in overhead lighting that echoes the kitchen pendants, vintage-inspired sconces above a custom dark-wood vanity with a marble top, and improved storage in the existing closet with new bi-fold doors. A new window insert, classic radiator covers, and a mini hex tile floor with an inset black border completed the transformation.
Now, the bathroom feels expansive, luminous, and fully connected to the home’s soul.
To complete the renovation, we focused on preserving and extending the historic details that give this home its unmistakable sense of time and place.Where original casing, crown, and trim details had been applied inconsistently, we reintroduced them uniformly across walls, windows, and doorways to restore architectural harmony.
One treasured element, the hand-painted stencil and polychromatic wallpaper in the hallway, was carefully protected throughout construction. Its one-of-a-kind artistry couldn’t be replicated or repaired, so we treated it with the reverence it deserved.
Throughout the home, we layered in vintage-inspired crystal and satin brass hardware and created intentional moments for the homeowners to display meaningful art and collected treasures from their travels.
Today, this 1904 gem is no longer defined by cramped corridors and choppy rooms. It’s a home that flows with ease. It’s warm, open, and perfectly suited for hosting the people they love most.
