| “After” photos by Greg Premru Photography Houzz at a Glance Who lives here: A couple with a penchant for restoring historic homes Location: Concord, Massachusetts Size: 4 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms; 2,385... |
| Photo by Alfred W. Hosmer, courtesy of Kaufmann Mercantile Here is former homeowner Ephraim Wales Bull standing in front of the original Concord grapevine. Bull sold off a few thousand vines, but soon... |
| The sleeping porch (likely added along with the screened-in porch in the early 1900s) had been ripped off at some point, but thanks to historic photographs, the homeowners were granted permission to restore... |
| The home’s style has evolved over centuries. It has a form that includes a Cape Cod–style portion on the left (the original house built around 1700), a gambrel roof portion in the center (probably built... |
| This area was once a dark library that better suited the couple as an entry and sitting area. The front door in the previous photo is just out of view on the right side of this photo, and the Dutch door... |
| The house had been on a downhill slide for years. As part of the renovations, the builders put in all-new systems, including plumbing, electrical and heating and cooling. They also stabilized the crumbling... |
| Here’s a closer look at the beautiful carved spindles, fully restored. In addition to period-appropriate paint colors, the homeowners also chose some suitable wallpapers. |
| BEFORE: The kitchen had not been touched in years, but it didn’t exactly preserve the right historic period. It was dark, and the ceiling was so low that the 6-foot-4 owner couldn’t stand up straight in... |
| AFTER: The builders lowered the kitchen floor to create more headroom. They lightened up the room by installing this one large window in place of the two previous double-hung windows. Walnut countertops... |
| The island is an antique English monk’s bench the homeowners already had and were eager to use, and it fit the room just right. |
| The bay window was existing; a new banquette makes the most of the space. |
| The new homeowners meticulously picked colors that were historically accurate and found suitable wallpaper as well. |
| In the dining room, the homeowners and the builders were careful to save this quote from Ephraim Bull. It was added by the homeowner who arrived immediately after Bull, children’s book author Harriett... |
| The team worked hard to preserve and restore the millwork, including this fanlight window and corner cupboard. The dining room table and chairs are antiques. |
| This corner cabinet had to be shored up, but with work it was salvageable. It has a wonderfully handy secret. |
| This portion pulls out for serving, then can be tucked away again. |
| The framed work over the living room mantel is a Concord grape document. The fireplace has another Ephraim Bull quote, thanks to Lothrop. She found this quote and the one in the dining room in his journals.... |
| The new sleeping porch provided space for a new master bedroom. The room has 14 windows. There are three other modest-size bedrooms in the house. |
| The bedroom lies atop the sleeping porch; the new master bathroom occupies the space under the dormer just to the right of it. The window beneath that looks into the new kitchen. The space outside is set... |
| Creative reconfiguring made room for a new master bathroom adjacent to the new bedroom. Now there are two bathrooms upstairs. In the master suite, new slim-profile radiators save space. This one is... |
