Mediterranean Villa
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
A fire consumed the roof and much of the second floor of this 1928 Villa. Water damage throughout required extensive reconstruction of the entire building. The family were devastated; they wanted to remain true to the 1920s design yet take this opportunity to rectify outdated areas of the structure.
Interiors Architecture
In old houses, we find a hierarchy of materials defining the public front-of-house from the back-of-house service areas—a consideration when modifying rooms for today’s lifestyle while honoring the original design intention. In this house, ornamental ironwork plays a prominent role; woodwork in the entry, living and dining rooms is dark mahogany. We designed a painted kitchen (back-of-house) but with some use of mahogany and iron, elevating and integrating new spaces with the existing motifs of Mediterranean style
The original kitchen had been cramped and cut off from the rest of the house. Now kitchen and dining room are connected by a new butler’s pantry. Continuity in materials ties spaces together.
Working with tile custom-made to replicate the original bathrooms, this project demonstrates that the great 1920s colors and details are attainable today.
Before
After
Before
After
- Builder: Dovetail Renovation Inc.
- Cabinetwork: Frost Cabinets
- Photographer: Susan Gilmore