Oh My Styled Life

Last year, we completed a one-of-a-kind remodel of a historic Tudor-style home in Minneapolis. We get so many questions about this project due to its small size and big impact. It’s about time we give you the full story! 

A dear friend approached us about turning her beloved neighborhood home into a more accessible space for entertaining her friends and for relaxing every day. 

Since this home has a small footprint, designing unique storage solutions and maximizing square footage was at the top of our to-do list. You’ll see what we mean when we get to the before and after photos! ?

Entryway

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To preserve the character of this Tudor-style home, we stuck with its original front door – including the beautiful window! Stay tuned for Part 2 of this project, where we will update the exterior of this lovely home!

Living Room

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We painted the beams and trim throughout the house black, too! The contrast with the white walls opened up the space dramatically and allowed the architectural details to shine.

Tip 1: Painting your walls white/cream and your accents dark/black is a great way to expand a space while adding dimension to a room!

Our client wanted color and pattern in her small space, and we wanted to avoid overwhelming the now open feel. So… we made a big statement in just a couple of places. Check out that custom Fay + Belle rug and those popping pillows! Brassy gold fixtures were a final layer of glam.

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A True Knock-Out!

Clients ask all the time about opening a wall in an older, more compartmentalized home. We can’t explain the impact better than these before and afters do.

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Eliminating the seldom-used formal dining room nearly doubled the kitchen footprint, and the living room and kitchen are so much happier now that they’re connected…

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Kitchen

At just under 100 square feet originally, our client’s compartmentalized kitchen was reminiscent of the dark ages. The cabinets lacked organization, countertop space was nearly non-existent and the room was much too small to comfortably cook in. Our goal was to give the kitchen a contemporary layout while opening it up to the main level, and creating a refreshingly modern look.

By knocking down the dividing wall, we were able to create more seating than the original space could offer. The custom built-in bench offers tons of storage.

Tip 2: If you don’t use your dining room on the daily, consider whether you’d like it as an office. With a little extra storage in the room itself, dining tables make for great desks.

Kitchen Storage Hacks

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Even with more space, we had to get creative with the cabinets.  We added large pull-out drawers for pots and pans, a hidden appliance garage for bulky gadgets, and multiple cutting boards that are strategically placed for convenience. This is one of our favorite hacks for living in a small home or condo! We also converted the rear storage closet into a spacious pantry, as a pure luxury for a 1920’s home.

Info on Paint Colors, Accessories, Custom Rugs & More!

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All furniture, accessories, and material selections available through Martha O’Hara Interiors

This home was the perfect example for those living in a small space or tight quarters that offers so many unique ideas – talk about maximizing potential! To see additional photos from this living room/kitchen remodel, head over here. We were THRILLED when this 1920’s Tudor style home landed on the cover of the January/February 2020 issue of Midwest Home Magazine. Click here to read about how our client took on her remodel! 

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