This Colonial Reno Upgraded the Layout but Preserved All the Charm
Ask the Curated Nest team about the tallest order of their Larchmont Colonial project, and they’ll answer without hesitation: reworking the 1927 home’s choppy layout. While rich with character, the existing space didn’t exactly lend itself to modern living, especially for a family with two young children and two work from home parents.
The renovation process began by opening up the kitchen to add counter space and ample pantry storage. Next, it was on to the living room, which was broken up into functional zones for multipurpose use. The most unexpected hero, however, became the home office directly off the primary suite—a nook affectionally called the mom den. It’s a testament to the power of design and how clever space planning can maximize every square foot of a nearly 100-year-old home.
![1920 colonial kitchen renovation with cane bar stools](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_022-1024x971.jpg)
![1920 kitchen renovation, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_018-791x1024.jpg)
![Watercolor wallpaper in entryway, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_012-682x1024.jpg)
![Colonial home renovation dining nook, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_021V-968x1024.jpg)
An East Coast Colonial Reimagined for Modern Living
THE OVERVIEW:
Location: Larchmont, New York
Architecture Style: 1927 Colonial
House Facts: 2,700 square feet 3 beds/3.5 baths
Project Timeline: 1 year
Scope of Work: Entire home renovation
![Closet space turned home office, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_053-912x1024.jpg)
![Brown velvet chair in closet space turned home office, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_055V-683x1024.jpg)
![Closet space turned home office, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_056V-683x1024.jpg)
![Living room with multiple zones, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_031V-1024x796.jpg)
![Closet space turned home office, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_057V-900x1024.jpg)
![Black living room bookshelf, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_026-982x1024.jpg)
![Modern grey family sectional, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_025-966x1024.jpg)
![Living room for a young family, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_028V-683x1024.jpg)
![White painted fireplace with blue chair, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_032V-683x1024.jpg)
Tell us more about this project, and the scope of work involved.
The client is a growing family who moved from the city to Larchmont, New York during the pandemic. They want this to be their forever home while considering resale value.
The family, which includes two young children, loves to entertain. They hired us because the house had a choppy layout and they felt overwhelmed by the design process. Another consideration is that both parents needed home offices. Most importantly, they wanted their house to stand up to family living.
![Watercolor wallpaper in dining room, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_010-1010x1024.jpg)
![Details on buffet in dining room, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_009V-739x1024.jpg)
![Mid-century light in dining room, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_006V-694x1024.jpg)
![Eat-in kitchen in 1920s colonial home](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_016-877x1024.jpg)
![Watercolor wallpaper in dining room, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_001-1-750x1024.jpg)
![Kitchen styling details, design by Curated Nest](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_019-1024x956.jpg)
![Eat-in kitchen dining nook, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_002-676x1024.jpg)
“Our client receives compliments on the dining room’s Phillip Jeffries watercolor wallpaper every time a guest comes over!“
![Layered bed with wool woven blanket, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_046-912x1024.jpg)
![Layered bed with wool woven blanket, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_041-747x1024.jpg)
![Bedroom styling details, design by Curated Nest Interiors](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_045-683x1024.jpg)
![Bathroom renovation with mid-century style, design by Curated Nest](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_061-683x1024.jpg)
![Bathroom renovation with mid-century style, design by Curated Nest](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_059-683x1024.jpg)
![Black pane glass shower, design by Curated Nest](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_065-738x1024.jpg)
![Bathroom renovation with mid-century style, design by Curated Nest](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_060-747x1024.jpg)
Talk to us about the initial inspiration and the process of honing your vision?
We had to find a way to marry two different styles together. The husband loves a mid-century style with leather and bold color. However, the wife prefers a modern, neutral, and airy look. We found common ground by incorporating a few of the husband’s masculine touches in pops of earth tones and leather. The couple loves traveling, so also we incorporated photography from the places they have been together.
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Any pain points? And how did you problem-solve?
It was also really important for the family to have a formal yet inviting dining room to host holiday meals. They wanted the kitchen to be bright and airy, with more counter space and more storage.
We also needed to make the living room function like a great room, so we created zones—a place to eat, a place to cozy up near the fireplace, and a big sectional for movie nights! With two kids and toys galore, a dedicated kids’ area was a must, and of course, hidden storage!
![Neutral kids playroom with blue and white color palette, design by Curated Nest](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_038-885x1024.jpg)
![Neutral kids playroom with blue and white color palette, design by Curated Nest](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_036-683x1024.jpg)
![Neutral kids playroom, design by Curated Nest](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_035-739x1024.jpg)
![Neutral kids playroom, design by Curated Nest](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_039-683x1024.jpg)
“In the living area, we added a lot of concealed storage and created a dedicated playroom that’s close enough for adults to keep an eye out.”
![Living Room shelf styling, design by Curated Nest](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_033V-683x1024.jpg)
![Living room dining nook, design by Curated Nest](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_004-779x1024.jpg)
Will you walk us through the main rooms of the home and speak to your design process?
We had to find a way to bring function and resale value to a home with a preexisting choppy layout. To start, we took the kitchen from dark and closed in to open, bright, and functional, with additional storage and a larger prep area. Not only did we add more counter space, but also three new large pantries. We also added enough seating in the family and dining rooms to comfortably host at least six adults and three kids.
Another task was reworking a wonky layout in the primary bedroom, updating the primary bath, and transforming the attached bonus room into a suite slash home office. The added mom zone/office space off the primary became one of the home’s best features.
In the living area, we added a lot of concealed storage and created a dedicated playroom that’s close enough for adults to keep an eye out.
Any favorite details to share?
The dining room had a low ceiling with little architectural detail, so we decided to add interest to the walls. Our client receives compliments on the dining room’s Phillip Jeffries watercolor wallpaper every time a guest comes over! We also had tons of fun picking out the artwork since the client was open to playful art pieces throughout the house.
![Phillip Jeffries watercolor wallpaper](https://theidentite.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/JACOB_SNAVELY_211202_005V-810x1024.jpg)
PROJECT CREDITS
Design: Curated Nest Interiors
Photography: Jacob Snavely
Contractor: TJK Home Improvement
Wallpaper Install: Daniel Rivera of Wall Gurus
Dining Room Wallpaper: Phillip Jeffries
BY: ANASTASIA CASEY