DESIGN IN PROGRESS

This full gut renovation of a 1900 Traverse City home transformed the second floor into a functional, character-rich retreat. The layout was reworked to make the bathroom truly usable, with the addition of a shower and a restored vintage clawfoot tub. The primary suite gained custom built-ins and added closet space, while the second bedroom became a dedicated home office. Raising the ceiling height and opening up the staircase brought new light and volume, and solid hardwood flooring and decorative balusters on the landing added warmth and craftsmanship. With little original character to start with, we preserved what we could, including the original doors, door hardware, and the clawfoot tub, then layered in period-appropriate details like plinth blocks, corner-block door trim, unlacquered brass switch plates, and vintage-style switches. The result is an old home with a little personality: traditional materials and details paired with unexpected pattern and color that gently break from period convention.