The Background

The clients on this project approached us after purchasing a neighbor’s home. Though the single-family home was built in the 1950s, the finishes were original, and the kitchen and baths needed some serious updating. The new owners’ primary goal was to convert the mid-century contemporary into a rental, so it was essential to cap the renovation budget. They also wanted ways to refresh the home without erasing its funky 1950s vibe. This directive meshed perfectly with their budget goal, as we could focus our renovation efforts on just a few key areas.

The Renovation

In addition to a fresh coat of paint throughout (after removing acres of crumbling grasscloth wallpaper!), we renovated the kitchen. We added a pass-through in the existing mahogany wall to better connect the adjacent dining area. We fully renovated the primary bath and partially updated the second bath, adding a more extended countertop and mirror but repurposing the existing 1950s vanity that was original to the house.