Bungalow Beautiful
This 1918 bungalow stole the hearts of a couple looking for the perfect second home—but like many century-old charmers, it had some secrets behind the walls! After closing, they brought us in to reimagine the home’s most important spaces: a complete overhaul of the master bath (hello, glass-enclosed wet room with a tub!), a stunning new kitchen, and a fresh hall bath transformation. We also tackled essential behind-the-scenes upgrades, including all-new electrical and plumbing—standard fare for homes of this era. But during demo, we uncovered extensive Formosan termite damage that had gone undetected during inspection. The original hardwood floors were beyond saving, so we replaced them with gorgeous new wood flooring throughout. In the end, this bungalow got the fresh start it deserved—and so did its delighted new owners. Prioritizing these impactful renovations before move-in turned this old house into a truly spectacular second home.
Are there any particular challenges in remodeling old homes like this, especially when trying to marry the old with the new?
Definitely. Here are 3: One common issue is floor leveling—once you remove old tile or flooring, you often have to rebuild layers to match the height of the original floors. Also, nothing is ever perfectly square in these older homes, so installing countertops and backsplashes requires skill and flexibility to get a clean, finished look. And let’s not forget the electrical—many of these homes still have knob-and-tube or cloth wiring hidden in the walls. If it hasn’t already been upgraded, you could end up footing the bill to bring everything up to code. It’s all doable—you just have to know what you’re getting into and work with experienced professionals who understand how these older homes were built.
