Built in 1917, the home needed many updates (it still featured accommodations and a bell system for live-in servants), but the home’s high ceilings and expansive rooms won Jennifer’s heart.
“I took one look at the staircase and pictured our daughter standing there on her wedding day,” says Jennifer.
Jennifer and her husband Garland bought the home in 2001 and moved in with their three young children, planning to make updates at a later time.
Five years later, it was the master bathroom that got them started. “adding on a nice master bath would impact the back of the house,” explains Jennifer. “We realized that spending money on one project now could be a waste if it didn’t tie in with our future renovations. We decided this was our dream home, and we would go for it.”
The couple hired architect Don Duffy for a plan that would stay true to the old home’s character. For the construction they chose Advanced Renovations, a remodeling company known for their quality work on historic renovations.
The first step was renovating the property’s guest home so the family could live there while the interior of their main home was gutted.
The extensive renovation included adding a new kitchen, family room, laundry room, mudroom, two bathrooms including the master, rear covered porches and exterior hardscaping.
“The biggest challenge was tying new and old together to look as if it had been there for 90 years,” says Duane Johns, vice president of Advanced Renovations. “We duplicated the home’s existing features, extending the old into the new construction area.”
Jennifer explains that careful attention was paid to maintain the look and feel of the home’s original style. The original hardwood floors were maintained, as well as the home’s original staircase. Large pocket doors, once an original feature of the home, were added back.
“Advanced Renovations did a great job,” says Jen- nifer. “People notice the quality right when they walk in the door. We definitely had the right company doing the work for us.”
Advanced Renovations is located at 3914 Miriam Drive in Charlotte. Call them at 704-799-3999 or visit them online at www.advancedrenovations.com.