Clair Hedgcoxe purchased 3524 Pineridge in 2010 – her first home. Several years in, with several high-dollar projects popping up for the 1923 house, she weighed the various alternatives and decided to renovate.
“I love my location,” she said, “and I knew I wanted to add a master suite to my home. The cost of purchasing a home with those specs in my area were out of my budget. So, I instead got to build my ‘dream bungalow.’ Having lived in the house for six years prior to reno made it very easy to know how I lived in the home and how I wanted to expand the space.”
For cooking and entertaining, she created a bigger kitchen by incorporating an unused third bedroom and added access to a small courtyard.
“The kitchen is now my favorite room!” Clair says.
Why renovate vs. build a new home?
For me, it is very important to protect the city’s historic character and architectural heritage. Living in Woodland Heights provides so many examples of beautiful historic homes, and I wanted my home to represent both the past and the future of this neighborhood. Renovating allowed an opportunity to keep the integrity of the traditional craftsman-style “bones” of the home, while adding spaces the modern homeowner requires today. I hope the end result inspires others.
What was your experience?
Just like any renovation, there are always surprises when opening old walls. Behind the sheetrock in the living room revealed wallpaper from a day gone by! I did my best to keep as many original items as possible. Seventeen of the windows are original! Some concessions had to be made in the overall design to accommodate the attributes of an older home, such as lower ceiling heights, asymmetrical windows, and smaller room sizes, to name a few.
Who did you hire to do the renovation?
Lucas Craftsmanship. The whole team at Lucas was very easy to work with and great communicators. The key word is in the name – Craftsmanship! They built custom cabinetry to maximize space and keep the design aesthetic cohesive. I wanted to keep the original long-leaf yellow pine flooring throughout the home and Lucas found a source for reclaimed flooring that matched the existing flooring. It’s wonderful to work with a contractor willing to take the extra time and energy needed when renovating a 100-year-old home.
Did you use an interior designer?
Hallie Henley Design. Owner and Heights resident, Hallie Sims, is a wonderful talent and very thoughtful designer. Having a professional eye for just the right placement of light fixtures and space planning is crucial. Hallie seamlessly blends antiques with new pieces in every space she touches!
Would you do it again?
Absolutely! I enjoyed the entire process -- from working with Morningside Architects on the architectural design, to spending time with the carpenter creating custom cabinetry designs. Seeing the space transform was incredibly rewarding and I feel more connected to the house because of it. The home will always have some extra character. The floors creak. The windows rattle during big thunderstorms. The doors contract and expand. The house breathes, as if it’s just as alive as the inhabitants. And that seems fitting for a house that has seen 100 years of life in Woodland Heights!