Our clients purchased this gorgeous historic home on the East Side of Providence knowing a major renovation was in order. Built in 1880, the house had great bones, location, and a rare private and spacious backyard for their young daughter to play in. But much of the interior of the home had been modified in the 1970s and needed a major style update.

Our design team set out to create a whole-house renovation plan to meet the homeowner’s style and function needs. On the main level, we needed to strip the brown paint to restore the original flooring. The result revealed gorgeous wide-plank wood floors with handmade nails. In the living room, the heavy molding adorning the walls was removed, simplifying and modernizing the space. We updated the built-ins and added new paint throughout.

The homeowners wanted an open concept space for the kitchen, dining, and living room areas.
Our team shifted the dining area to the far end of the living room, which provided the perfect space for their large dining room table. We removed the wall that separated the living area from the original dining room and moved the kitchen into the now open space.

The brand new kitchen looks completely different from the original. The new flat-paneled cabinetry, updated fixtures, and appliances create a more contemporary feel to the space. The open-shelving keeps the space light and airy. A 27” stainless steel sink by Kore. Recessed lighting throughout the first floor, with black track lighting above the dining room.


In the original kitchen footprint, we added a half bath. The small space is accentuated by the Keith Haring-inspired wallpaper. Keith Haring was an American graffiti artist, muralist, and social activist known for his illustrative depictions of figures and symbols in the 1980s. His work spread important social and political messages including the rights of the LGBTQ community, the crack epidemic in New York, Apartheid, and the Berlin Wall. Gold fixtures and mirror add the perfect amount of warmth to the space. The slim pedestal sink by Kohler fits in perfectly with the slim space.

The homeowners wanted to add an apartment to the basement that had previously been used as a home office. They wanted to design a space with accessibility in mind to accommodate long visits from a variety of guests. Removing a drop ceiling and old carpeting immediately modernized the space.

The basement bath required a full gut and renovation. The room has a contemporary feel with the black paneled shower door and the flat-paneled vanity. The juxtaposition between the wood tones and the black and white creates an unexpected harmony.

A simple kitchen was also added to the basement space. Recessed-paneled cabinetry, modern appliances, and an open-shelving feature wall make the space ideal for long-term guests to feel comfortable.

On the second floor, we completed a full gut and remodel of a full bathroom. New plumbing placement ideas with a wall layout to create a larger feeling bath. A separate tub and shower were created to accommodate both young children and adults.

For a full-house remodel of your home contact Red House today. We specialize in historic home renovations and whole-house remodels in every style - from traditional to contemporary. We look forward to hearing from you!