The end unit of a charming set of Federalist row homes in Washington, D.C., caught the eye of a couple purchasing their first house. This 1919 home was classic to the neighborhood and had a lot of potential.
“It had been touched but not gutted, so the original trim, pocket doors and configuration were intact,” said Sarah Snouffer, founder and principal architect of Third Street Architecture, the studio brought in to tackle the renovation. “So we had good bones to start with.”
But accompanying the historic highlights were mold issues, outdated systems and a tight, oddly placed kitchen. Snouffer needed to first ensure the home was habitable then strategize a kitchen plan that would function for modern living.
Challenge #1 – Infrastructure Updates
Little maintenance had been done on the home by previous owners, and Snouffer knew immediately that the plumbing and electrical systems needed updates. Unfortunately, less obvious trouble soon appeared when water flowed into the basement during a storm, which led to the discovery of black mold and that the mechanical system was not sized correctly.
“When we talk to clients, we prepare them,” said the architect. “It’s a lot of managing expectations, preparing them for the big blows that are going to come.”
The team focused first on structural stability – stopping the leaks and conducting mold remediation – then got the electrical up to speed and the mechanical working. The initial renovation plans included finishing the basement, but the significant infrastructure updates took that off the budget – at least for now.
Challenge #2 – A Tight Squeeze
The kitchen presented structural problems of its own, beginning with its placement at the back of the house. The clients wanted to maintain the original configuration as much as possible, which left Snouffer with a small space to work with, some of which she had to steal to create a powder room.
To make up a bit of square footage, she took over the adjacent closed-in porch, which was entered through an inconvenient archway that was too expensive to remove and attached to a supporting wall.
“The homeowners were okay with small spaces, but they needed them to be extremely functional,” said the architect. “It forced us to get creative and use every trick we could to squeeze out storage.”
Her answer was to create zones. There is one for the sink and dishwasher and another for the refrigerator with a lot of surrounding storage. The range sits between the arch support wall and one Snouffer added to the other side to give it an alcove feel. Both walls have recessed storage niches.
Challenge #3 – Making the Grade
While strategizing a new plan for the house, Snouffer continuously faced the variety of old home factors typical of a building with a long history.
“If you don’t plan for them, they will show up in your kitchen,” she said. “If floors are not level, the toe kick might be different from side to side.”
In this kitchen, the floors were a big problem, particularly going from the initial area into the former porch, which was sloped back. The porch had been designed so rainwater would run out, and that floor had simply been covered in a subfloor and tiled when the space was enclosed.
The floors were sistered to level them as much as possible. During cabinet installation, Snouffer visited the site multiple times to find solutions to uneven flooring and walls that were out of plumb.
After completing numerous renovations in quirky old homes, she has learned to go in early, build a strong relationship with a contractor and show clients the big picture.
“They will trust you a lot more, and with that trust, you’ll be able to lean into your confidence and design abilities,” said the architect.
Sources
Designer: Sarah Snouffer, Founder and Principal Architect, Third Street Architecture Photographer: Christy Kosnic Bar Stools: vintage Cabinet Hardware: Top Knobs Cabinet Paint: Benjamin Moore Cabinets: Elmwood Cabinets Countertop: soapstone Dishwasher & Range: Miele Faucets: Moen Flooring: Stone Center Online Lighting: RaraForma and Shades of Light Microwave & Refrigerator: GE Appliances Sink: Blanco Tile: Floor & Décor & Marblex Ventilation: Best Range Hoods
