Transforming a 1959 Home for Modern Family Life
In a city like Omaha, where home values stay strong and inventory rarely cooperates, it’s a familiar story: a young family falls in love with a neighborhood, writes heartfelt letters to homeowners, and crosses their fingers that someone might be ready to sell. After months of trying (and losing out on one home they’d bid on), they got lucky. Another house on the very same street came on the market. They toured it immediately, and about five steps inside, they both had the same thought: this is it.
Growing up with a dad and grandpa who were contractors and a mom who was a realtor, the homeowner knew a solid house when she saw one, and she knew the magic of a thoughtful renovation. They sent another letter to the seller, included it with their offer, and soon enough, the home became theirs.
The traditional two story was built in 1959 and in fact did have good bones, but it hadn’t been updated in several decades. The new homeowners called on JH Interior Design and interior designer Dana Wear was up to the task. Their list was long. They wanted to open up spaces, create a functional drop zone for a growing family, have space for their children to play and be visible from the kitchen, be able to do laundry upstairs by the bedrooms, use extra bedroom space for a new master closet, and use materials that were durable for a family with young children.
One of the biggest challenges? Blending two very different styles. He liked things more earthy and neutral while she prefers bold patterns and color. The homeowner said Dana did a wonderful job tying both of their styles together. An example was the modern chandelier in the dining room. “Both of us love that piece. It has a traditional look but it’s very contemporary, too,” the homeowner said.
The only other constraint was space. The couple didn’t want or need to add square footage but rather to reimagine the existing footprint. “We had to see how things would best fit and flow within the existing walls, “ Dana said. “Particularly important was the kitchen–to make sure there was enough circulation space to cook, entertain, and move through the space.”
Dana said the kitchen is the room where she typically starts with a large-scale project like this because it has so many finishes in addition to cabinets, counters and flooring. It also includes appliances, plumbing and light fixture finishes. “From there we pull some elements of the kitchen palette into the rest of the spaces and add in fun wow factors that work with the palette as well,” she said.
For the homeowners, the kitchen truly is the heart of daily life. They recently hosted 25 guests for Thanksgiving, regularly throw Kansas City Chiefs watch parties, and love opening their home to friends and family. “Everything spills out from the kitchen,” she said. “It’s truly a dream come true.”
Some of the “wow factors” came in the form of wallpaper. Dana suggested the powder room bathroom wallpaper and it became the palette for the whole project. “Everything ties in really nicely together,” the homeowner said.
Beside the kitchen, the homeowner said the family hangs out in what they call “The Green Room,” a former den that’s a step down from the kitchen. “We are always in that room,” She said. “That’s where the Christmas tree is. It’s where we’re down on the floor playing cars with our kids.”
Dana said that is always her intent as an interior designer. “I try to create an environment where people feel comfortable to spend time together, no matter old, young or somewhere in between,” she said. “It’s where the memories are made.”
Are you ready for a memory-making renovation? Let’s talk design.