How a 1921 Colonial Revival Cottage Was Reimagined for Modern Family Living

Beautiful and functional, the mudroom evokes an old Southern porch quality while providing a drop zone for the family with designated spaces for backpacks and shoe drawers with built-in ventilation. The millwork features wainscoting and a dropped crown molding, while the paint choice, Sherwin-Williams’s Lullaby, offers a calm, welcoming aura.

Before the renovation, the home’s circulation posed challenges, with a staircase intruding into the kitchen and no convenient side entrance. Employing her sharp architectural instincts, Jaime collaborated with a structural engineer to improve flow. A new entryway from the driveway now opens into a hardworking mudroom and laundry area, where the family can drop shoes and bags upon arrival.

Durable yet classic checkered tile was selected to withstand the regular bustle of young girls dashing in with soccer cleats, while soft powder blue cabinetry provides a functional place to neatly tuck belongings away. Elsewhere on the main floor, the primary suite retained its original casement windows and now benefits from a privacy buffer from the main living areas. The adjoining bathroom, though compact, is efficient and pretty. A unique tile floor is the showstopper, and mixed metal hardware and panel molding further elevate the space.

Into the family room nearby, windows were added to wash the space in natural light by day, and built-in shelving was added on either side of the fireplace. In a repetition of architectural details, Jaime decided to cut arches above the built-ins to echo the curve of the kitchen’s stone backsplash.

With those puzzle pieces in place, the rest of the interior evolved. In the kitchen and adjoining living rooms, Jaime opened once-segmented spaces, allowing natural light to pour in. Walls came down, ceilings lifted, and the formerly narrow galley kitchen now spills into the family room. “We focused on creating sight lines that made the house feel larger without adding square footage,” Jaime explains. Reclaimed antique pocket doors separate an office from the living area, and personal touches further characterize the interior, especially in the butler’s pantry, where the homeowners’ Kentucky roots shine with a mint julep and Derby theme.

Family meals filled with lively conversation and laughter are easy to imagine in the refreshed dining room. A neutral palette lays the foundation for the space, creating a soothing atmosphere. Overhead, a gilded iron lantern by Chapman & Myers casts a warm glow on the table, topped with freshly cut blooms and pieces ready for entertaining. Just beyond, the butler’s pantry stands at the ready, effortlessly equipped for mixing and serving drinks.

Upstairs is the domain of the family’s three daughters. While bringing everything up to code, the ceiling height was reduced, affecting an old Southern sloped porch quality. Jaime added a loft for the girls to hang out, opting for colorful, cohesive colors and textures that are playful but will age well as they grow into teenagers. “I love wallpaper, and wallpaper is often a jumping-off point for color scheme and aesthetic direction,” the designer says. In the oldest daughter’s bedroom, the heart pine floor is the only original in the residence, and the crown molding and custom millwork likewise honor the house’s long chronicle.

Working within a tight space, Jaime sought to capitalize on every inch of the primary bathroom. Bringing elegance to the space, the designer added unique tile flooring and panel molding.

What began as dated and compartmentalized is now cohesive and inviting. “Good design isn’t about perfection,” Jaime reflects. “It’s about connection and how you feel when you walk through your door. That’s what makes a house a home.”