Three of our Favorite Historic Home Renovation Projects

Renovating historic homes, as cliche as it may sound, is both an art and a science. It involves finding ways to balance modern functionality and convenience with timeless charm. In this piece, we highlight three projects showcasing Slocum Hall Design Group’s expertise in historical home renovation design. Each project reflects a reverence for the past while embracing the needs of contemporary living.

Historic Home Renovation: A Victorian Revival

Honoring Victorian Heritage

The Victorian home renovation project, The Residence on Longfellow, is a testament to preserving historical integrity while adapting to modern lifestyles. Working with the talented team at Kristen DiBella Interiors, the project involved an extensive gut renovation and reconfiguration. The aim was to create an open, casual, modern interior without compromising the home’s historic essence.

Significant engineering feats were made to achieve an open layout, including integrating 30-foot steel beams to replace bearing walls. The renovation also included constructing a primary sleeping space above a newly added first-floor office, converting an old bedroom into a spacious dressing room, and expanding the primary suite. The roof at the rear was reframed to add height, transforming a former attic into a stunning primary closet and bathroom.

Every effort was made to maintain the original moldings and details of the home. Where removal was unavoidable, exact replicas were crafted to preserve the home’s Victorian character, ensuring the renovation stayed true to its historical roots.

Historic Home Renovation: A Neo-Classical Revival

Balancing Preservation and Modernization

The renovation of The Residence on Bellevue, a Neo-Classical Revival home, required a delicate balance between preserving its historic merits and updating it for modern living. 

This award-winning design project, recognized by the Builders & Remodelers Association of Greater Boston and Historic Newton, showcases the thoughtful approach taken to retain the home’s rich character while enhancing its functionality.

Key aspects of the renovation included preserving each living space and modernizing the kitchen, bathrooms, and basement. A notable addition was an attached three-bay garage with a bonus space above, seamlessly integrating with the existing structure without compromising its historical charm.

The Residence on Bellevue’s renovation earned the 2020 Masters in Design Award presented by Qualified Remodeler magazine. This recognition underscores the project’s excellence in award-winning architecture, blending historic preservation with contemporary convenience.

Historic Home Renovation: An English Manor-Style Transformation

Modern Enhancements

The renovation of The Residence in Waban, an English Manor-style home, was driven by the homeowners’ desire to adapt the house to their needs as they age. This stunning home, perched prominently on a hill, underwent a comprehensive interior gutting and reconfiguration to create spaces that cater to modern living while retaining its historic grandeur.

The renovation included creating a large, modern kitchen for entertaining and developing a multi-room primary suite. A new elevator and an attached garage were also added, ensuring the homeowners could comfortably remain in their home without the challenges of navigating stairs.

The transformation of this English Manor-style home is a prime example of how home renovation design can enhance functionality while respecting historic architectural style. The project illustrates the capabilities of premier Boston architectural firms in delivering sophisticated and seamless renovations.

Slocum Hall Design

These historic home renovations highlight the dedication and talent of Slocum Halls Design Group’s team in preserving historic architecture while adapting to contemporary needs. Each project, whether a Victorian home renovation, a Neo-Classical Revival, or an English Manor-style transformation, showcases what can be achieved through thoughtful design. These homes stand proudly as symbols of both the past and the present. 

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