Hampton Gardens Home Gets 100th Birthday Glow Up
We first introduced this home back in 2023 with a little “sneak peek” of the before pictures and an overview of what the project would entail.
We’re excited to finally be able to show off the after shots and talk through how this 100-year old Richmond beauty was given a new lease on life.
When our clients approached us, they had just fallen for this classic brick Colonial nestled in the tree-lined neighborhood of Hampton Gardens. It boasted a lush yard, traditional layout and decades of love from the previous owners. But even after 40 years of meticulous care from the last owners, the house was ready for a transformation that would honor its roots while evolving to meet the needs of its new family.
The project requirements envisioned spaces that catered to family life and entertaining:
A large, open kitchen with island seating and views of the backyard.
A functional mudroom at the backyard entrance.
A luxurious primary suite with an ensuite bath and walk-in closet.
A convenient second-floor laundry.
Ensuite bathrooms for the upstairs bedrooms.
Reimagining the Heart of the Home
Our design journey began with the kitchen—a top priority for the new homeowners. The original galley kitchen, tucked between the staircase and the dining room, felt isolated and lacked natural light. Matt landed on the idea to transform the 1980s sunroom addition into a combined kitchen and family room in his first visit to the house. With a few changes to adjacent spaces, it seemed like the perfect fit.
The 1980s sunroom addition before the renovation
This space already felt like the heart of the home with loads of natural light and an atmosphere that was naturally inviting. By relocating the kitchen here, we created a central hub with island seating, stunning backyard views, and seamless access to the new solarium addition.
Kitchen and family room after the renovation of the sunroom
Adding on Where it Matters
The solarium addition along the back of the house, though modest in overall size, became a versatile and essential part of the design. Connecting the kitchen, mudroom, dining room, and family room to the backyard, the solarium enhances the overall flow of the house.
Before: the patio and yard were only accessible through the sunroom, and the backyard was not particularly inviting.
After: the solarium gives access and great views to the backyard from nearly every room on the first floor while the new paver patio and landscaping invites you to enjoy the outdoors.
And the light-filled space has also become the family dog’s favorite spot to take a sun-soaked nap.
A full bathroom was also added conveniently near the most-used entrance of the house. The adjacent den, with its rich wood paneling, can now double as a guest suite.
On the left - before: the den was previously a one-car garage until it was converted in the 1960s.
On the right - after the renovation, the den is a lot more cheerful, perfect for movie night or hosting overnight guests with the nearby full bathroom.
A new full bathroom was added downstairs with easy access from the den and outside.
Upstairs, we turned a small primary bedroom with an attached bath into a spacious suite by building an addition over the kitchen. This allowed us to create a luxurious primary bath and walk-in closet while converting the original bath into a convenient, second-floor laundry room.
Primary bath before: small, dark, outdated finishes. This space was converted to a second floor laundry room. The window became a doorway to the primary suite addition, which was built above the new kitchen.
By comparison, the new primary suite is spacious, light filled and functional.
Honoring a Century of History
As with all of our “this old house” renovations, respecting the home’s architectural intent and integrity was paramount. Original features like fireplaces, built-in shelves, and the elegant wood paneling were preserved and enhanced with thoughtful updates to paint, wallpaper, and furnishings. While the kitchen and bathrooms underwent significant changes, every element was designed to blend seamlessly with the home’s classic character.
Dining room before
Dining Room after: same chandelier and fireplace, but now with a new opening to the solarium and backyard views.
Rather than removing historic elements, much of the new design focused on improving flow and connectivity. New doors, windows, and openings were strategically added to link the original structure with the new additions and backyard living spaces.
Sustainable Systems for the Next Century
A home of this age naturally came with outdated systems and inefficiencies. Behind the scenes, we made sweeping upgrades to mechanical systems, insulation, electrical wiring, and plumbing. These changes may not be visible, but they have a profound impact on the home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and longevity.
In keeping with the home’s aesthetic, we preserved the original windows at the front of the house. However, new energy-efficient windows were installed in the kitchen addition, solarium, and primary bath to improve thermal performance and reduce energy costs.
A Warm Welcome
Every corner of this home holds thoughtful details that blend past and present, but an area that is often overlooked, the front door and entryway, was given some special attention. Retaining the original door, we added a classic wood storm door, and topped it with a custom arched transom window to allow more light in.
The new transom over the storm door lets lots of natural light into the entryway.
An elegant porch with arched ceiling was added onto the front of the house - still in keeping with the Colonial architecture, but offering some protection for visitors and packages.
In the entryway, a preserved paneled arch frames the new stunning view from the stairs, through the dining room, to the solarium and backyard beyond.
The home exterior before and after
Entering its New Era
A project this comprehensive is always a labor of love, but it was great to do it alongside a family who appreciated the original beauty and integrity of the home and wanted to give it another hundred years to shine.