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My Houzz: Converted Pennsylvania Pretzel Factory
These DIY-savvy Pennsylvania homeowners turned a cinder-block shell into a vibrant neighborhood gathering place
I am a freelance editorial and wedding photographer and Houzz contributor based out of Hershey, PA. Come visit me at 'A Nest for All Seasons' where I write about design, photography and modern garden living!
I am a freelance editorial and wedding photographer and Houzz contributor... More »
Most of the time, the exterior of a home matches the interior — what you see is what you get. But every once in a while, you peek in a window and your jaw drops. That tends to be the reaction when visitors see Jo Vaughn's pretzel factory turned modern living space.
It took more than three years of hard work, but New Zealand native Jo and her husband, Terry, converted what was once a pretzel factory into a home that reflects their quirky personalities and tastes. Often filled with neighbors and friends, this house is true jewel mined from the remains of an unassuming space.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Terry and Jo Vaughan
Location: Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Size: Approximately 2,070 square feet; two bedrooms; two baths
That's interesting: This home has been a pretzel factory, mechanic's shop, lubricant factory and more.
It took more than three years of hard work, but New Zealand native Jo and her husband, Terry, converted what was once a pretzel factory into a home that reflects their quirky personalities and tastes. Often filled with neighbors and friends, this house is true jewel mined from the remains of an unassuming space.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Terry and Jo Vaughan
Location: Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Size: Approximately 2,070 square feet; two bedrooms; two baths
That's interesting: This home has been a pretzel factory, mechanic's shop, lubricant factory and more.
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| From the street, Terry and Jo's home doesn't look like it would hold such an expansive space. It's easy to mistake it for a factory or repair shop. In fact, people still stop by for mechanic services once in a while. |
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| This framed "before" photo shows the original space, which most potential buyers overlooked. But the Vaughns saw an opportunity instead — a chance for their upbeat, modern style to show off. They knew right away that it was a place they could feel at home. |
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| The other side of the kitchen reveals one of Jo's "middle of the night" wild ideas. After spending a lot of time contemplating where to place the stairs, she shook Terry awake at 2:00 one morning, announcing, "The stairs can go under the island!" In a brilliant example of space planning, the couple removed the existing stairs and inserted a new stairwell leading down to the future man cave. |
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In order to make good use of their limited space, Terry and Jo cut into the walls to recess their furniture. Backed with glass block and fronted with Ikea cabinet doors, this cabinet provides additional storage for dishware.
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Because the Vaughns entertain so often, Jo designed a narrow table that's long enough to accomodate a number of guests at once. The table legs once belonged to a bed.
Chairs: Hershey Lodge Antiques; carved statue: Silverspring Flea Market
Chairs: Hershey Lodge Antiques; carved statue: Silverspring Flea Market
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Ikea CD racks inserted between wall studs create four storage cabinets in the hallway. Previously, there was simply a long, blank wall devoid of purpose.
The hardwood floors are original, but Terry and Jo painstakingly sanded them to wipe away years of dirt and grime, revealing the beautiful wood below.
The hardwood floors are original, but Terry and Jo painstakingly sanded them to wipe away years of dirt and grime, revealing the beautiful wood below.
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| This living room, open to the kitchen, can hold a surprising amount of people for neighborhood parties. The space is completely decked out in vintage 1940s furniture and funky collected decor. The velvet furniture with red piping came from an eBay seller in Boston and is in surprisingly pristine condition. |
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Terry and Jo decorated their home with vintage finds, auction scores and curbside rescues. One of two working jukeboxes stands sentry in the corner of the living room.
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| A vintage wooden phone booth sits down the hallway toward the front door. Jo scored it for free and finished off the office area with a pair of matching vintage desks. She painted the desks a bright red to balance with the red cabinetry in the kitchen. |
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| The couple's creativity even extends down to the basement. Terry and Jo handcrafted this Murphy bed for their many visitors. |
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| Around the back entrance is a handmade DIY wall full of Fiestaware fragments, broken china and little cup handles that jauntily stick out. Next to the cheerful wall sits a repurposed vintage washer full of growing spinach. Visitors are always welcome to come by to share in their harvest. Here, Jo and neighbor Barb pick a few leaves. |
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| Mint and various other herbs grow off the back porch as well. This is the only area available for planting on the lot, which is just the way Jo likes it. The back porch is a great outdoor entertaining area with plenty of seating. Terry and Jo love having summer parties that migrate from the indoors and back out to the deck. |
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| Terry and Jo are depicted here as the couple with their hammer and nails, building yet another new project. |
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| On the side of the house, a mural by Monica Martin depicts all the neighbors in this little haven of Hummelstown. The mural brings together the variety of characters living nearby. |
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The colorful tiled house numbers came from Jo's native New Zealand. Little details like this hint that someone spunky lives inside.
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| This full, unfinished basement is next on the list of home projects for the dynamic couple. It's also prime real estate for more vintage finds and roadside rescues. Outfitted with a bright red racing stripe, the space holds promise for what is to come. Houzz call: Do you live in a creative, converted space? We want to see it. |
Ideabook updated on Aug. 12, 2012.
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Ellen and I have started a "source" for all things designer
old vintage and man cave called:
http://barscigarsandbrew.com
(some great ideas here for the man cave cellar ?? )
We have restored many old homes, but not tackled a commercial
building ...
Looks like we have to start a new project with an old place
like this
LOVE IT !!
Anxious to see what they do with their basement.
telephone box - I have the original phone but it could not be hooked up so bought a replica - was using it when I had Comcast but switched to Verizon and the phone line is now in the basement have to figure how to get it up to phone box again. It is cool because you can't hear noise when the door is closed - a fan and light come on.