Nestled deep in the hills of Portland Heights, the owner of this small 1925 Colonial Revival home knew a change was needed. The lack of space and the old remodels just had to go.

On the main floor, Portland architecture firm Cella Architecture, designed a new kitchen while in the basement a new entertaining space and powder room were fit into the confines of this tiny Portland Heights home, improving its livability and incorporating elements that better reflect the age and character of the house. The kitchen redesign, the centerpiece of the remodel, strove to update and redefine a cramped, closed-in kitchen that was dominated by inexpensive big-box store cupboards which had been installed by previous owners. These generic cupboards were replaced with custom-built wood cabinets, painted a soft white color to complement the house. Fittings and fixtures were  replaced and a beautiful, lightly veined, white marble countertop installed. The new arrangement  satisfies the need for additional work and storage space while the removal of a wall between the kitchen and dining area create a connection that helps the house live larger than it’s diminutive size.The formerly isolated and closed off eating space is now a cozy room for guests to interact with the cook while still staying out of the way.. 

Furthering the owner’s desire to create elements which better fit the home’s style, the old black granite fireplace surround was replaced with new Ming Green marble tiles for the hearth and surround. The front door, previously an out of place modern door with a single reeded glass lite, was replaced with a beautiful, subtly designed and custom built solid wood door which provides better security and privacy while also reflecting the style and character of the house through its clean and crisp design. 

Older homes have many charms, but can also lack many of the spaces desired by modern owners. To create an informal entertainment space without increasing the size of the home, the basement was repurposed and remodeled into an ideal area for relaxed gatherings of family and friends. The staircase to the basement was widened, and an additional riser was added to create a staircase that was less steep, and more comfortable to use. A new clean and simple handrail brings the upstairs styling downstair too. Beneath the stairs a cozy nook for the family basset hound was incorporated to make use of every bit of space. To complete the basement entertainment space, a new powder room was added in an out of the way corner of the basement.

All of these areas were carefully designed to meld seamlessly into the existing footprint of the house and look as if they were original components of the property. Small but subtly important changes, when well-designed by an experienced Portland architect sensitive to the nuances of the regional design of the original building, can have a remarkable impact upon a home. The owner of this early 20th century home is overjoyed with the remodel and says that at last the kitchen is a place they actually want to cook in.