Second empire Victorian
When the homeowners first purchased this 1870 Second Empire Victorian, one of its primary selling points was the third floor, which was an addition by the previous owners. They hoped to use this space for a dedicated home office and media room for their sons. When the renovation began, however, demo revealed an unwelcome discovery: The rafter ties, which function to support the roof against collapse, were completely missing. It was a structural disaster waiting to happen. What could have been a renovation nightmare, however, ended up bringing this home back to its architectural roots. The third floor was removed, which allowed the home’s original Mansard roof to be restored. To bring the home back from its dark and dated past, we infused the entire home with lighter shades of classic colors and relied on texture to ensure that the home felt warm and inviting. Throughout the home, we juxtaposed traditional materials with modern lighting, art and furniture. Wallpaper provided another way to bridge past and present. In the traditional Victorian spirit, we used floral patterned wallcoverings, but we opted for larger, lighter blooms that replaced the home’s heavy, dated motifs.
Photos by Michael J. Lee