Gowen House
BRIAN WETZEL Photographer
KRISTI HUNTER Stylist
When our Mt. Airy clients reached out, they were midstream in planning a major renovation of a first-floor remodel and a third-floor addition with architect Evan Hauptmann of Kindred Architecture. We met for an initial consultation, and offered feedback on their ambitious vision. But as often happens with older homes and evolving life stages, the clients paused to consider whether a full-scale renovation was the right next step or if it was time to move.
The home is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac framed with mature sycamores and lush gardens. Near the main hub of the neighborhood, the home offered the perfect blend of a quiet home, and easy access to the community amenities. After months of reflection, they decided to stay—and to make their existing home work harder and smarter for them. The updated focus: transform the first floor into a multifunctional spaces for daily life and entertaining, and reimagine the basement as streamlined, usable storage.
The Design Plan
We honed in on two key design zones
One: create a generous, open kitchen and dining space tailored to a love of cooking, hosting, and gathering.
Two: reinvigorate the front living room to make it warm, practical, and inviting with clever storage, custom seating, and quiet character.
The Before
This project was all about functional beauty. The clients loved their original kitchen peninsula, wanted a microwave hidden from view, dreamed of drawer-heavy base cabinets to maximize storage (always our recommendation). They hoped for a homework area and toy storage, as well as a more intentional entry from the new architect-designed back stair and deck.
The Idea
We designed a mudroom zone that could handle backpacks, shoes, and utility overflow.
The Kitchen Completed
In the kitchen, we opened up the back of the home utilizing Kindred Architecture’s exterior wall plan and worked the interior floor plan to create a flexible layout with ample bar seating and a custom dining banquette.
This casual arrangement encourages lingering, lounging, and spontaneous connection, perfect for both dinner parties and weekday routines. The cabinetry is a mix of stained and painted finishes that give a dynamic feel to the space and the countertops are a honed Emperador marble that gives a warm, lived in feel to the space.
The Living Room Before
The Idea
The front living room became a study in integrated storage and layered charm. We designed three distinct millwork features for this space.
The Living Room Completed
The living room is united by a palette of soft neutrals and earthy accents and features dusty peach upholstery, a woven blue storage ottoman, and expressive surfaces. A highlight of the space is the checkerboard tile mantle with original Wissahickon Schist stone. Rosa Levanto marble hearth replaced the bulky brick, and a striking Viola marble top on the listening station adds personality.
On the left, a listening station and coat closet, combines record-player nostalgia with smart utility storage. On the right, a window bench with a comfy cushion was built to conceal the radiator, this bench was designed to take advantage of an area that would have been difficult to place furniture. It is framed by preserved shelving for a bit of open display space.
A petite desk area tucked near the arched window, with a pretty patterned curtain for easy access to toy and kid book storage.
The Powder Room
Even the tiniest room received fresh attention. Though it shrank slightly in footprint, the powder room gained big personality through a playful wall-mounted sink, two-tone color palette, and sculptural mirror.
The Big Picture
By adding just 110 square feet to the 1st floor of this home, a thoughtful layout, and meaningful design gestures, we were able to help this family fall back in love with their home. The result, a first floor that flexes with their needs and offers style, soul, and staying power.
Cheers,
Nicole and the Vestige Home Team
Vestige Home Designers - R. Jane Brinks and Nicole Cole Project Lead - Jordan Gravely
Construction by Costello Construction