Originally constructed around 1900, this Philadelphia home is just steps from the historic Rittenhouse Square. “The historic, walkable neighborhood is filled with charming shops and restaurants,” says Alexis Pew, Interior Designer at Kaminski + Pew.
“The clients, a young couple, approached us to renovate a basement kitchen and create space for a powder room,” adds Kevin Kaminski, Architect at the firm. “They also wanted to gain better functionality out of an oddly proportioned dining room. In addition to the functional aspects of the brief, they wanted the space to feel tasteful, simple, and welcoming.”
The home had been renovated in the early 2000s and was well constructed but was due for an update both aesthetically and functionally. “After hearing their ideas and seeing the space, we quickly determined that strategic architectural changes would create a more usable floor plan,” Kevin shares. “We began by relocating the basement stairs and raising the dining room floor. Doing so created enough ceiling height for a powder room and laundry room adjacent to the kitchen, in what had been a former crawl space. The kitchen remained in its original location, but the layout was reworked to accommodate a banquette and dining area. An office replaced the dining room, now with direct access to the rear yard. These plan updates greatly increased the square footage and allowed us to add greater functionality to the home.”
Style-wise, the client had a penchant for British design. “We leaned into the aesthetic to create a classic, comfortable space,” Alexis notes. “English countryside-inspired cabinetry, a Shaws sink, Corston hardware, and rustic stone floor for example.”
Like any renovation of a historic home, the project had its fair share of challenges. “As we neared the end of the design phase, our clients informed us they were expecting their first child,” Kevin recalls. “That left us with approximately seven months to finish the design, then build the project, and we didn’t yet have a contractor! We tried our best to persuade them to postpone construction until after the baby arrived, but they wanted to proceed. We quickly engaged a contractor who was up for the challenge.” They almost made it work, but the baby arrived before the project was complete.
“Another challenge was getting appliances down into the basement kitchen,” Alexis adds. “Since we were replicating a narrow existing curved stair, it was a tight squeeze for appliance installation. We had to order refrigerator and freezer columns rather than a single unit to fit down the stairs.”
It was a quick process—just under a year—and the client elected to live in the home during the renovation, which is not for the faint of heart. In the end, the best compliment came from a family member in the UK, who said the space felt like home.
Take a tour in the slideshow.
