Waldo Whole-Home Refresh: Modern Function Meets Historic Charm in a 100-Year-Old Bungalow

What started as a simple curiosity about “what’s possible in an old home” became a transformative remodel of a 100-year-old Waldo bungalow’s kitchen and upstairs primary bathroom. By opening walls, correcting old framing, leveling floors, rebuilding key structural elements, and designing with intention, we created two highly functional, beautifully updated spaces that honor the home’s historic character while supporting modern living. 

 Table of Contents 

• The Home & Client Vision 
• Existing Conditions & Challenges 
  
• Client Wishlist & Design Goals 
• Remodeling Process & Problem-Solving 
• The Reveal  
• Craftsmanship & Innovation Across the Project
  

The Home & Client Vision 

Our clients were curious but on the fence about what could be done in their 100-year-old Waldo bungalow. To give them a clearer picture, we invited them to an open house of one of our recently completed historic-home remodels. Seeing the newly renovated home firsthand helped them see that dramatic updates were not only possible but could be done beautifully and with care, and they were sold.

They hoped to remodel the kitchen and primary bathroom but weren’t sure what could realistically be done given the home’s age and limiting layouts. Their goals were simple: 

• Make the home more functional for daily living and frequent hosting 
• Add modern convenience while honoring the historic charm 
• Maximize storage and update the layout to reflect today’s lifestyle 

What unfolded was a complete transformation of two of the most important spaces in their home. 

The upstairs primary bath sat in the attic dormer and suffered from: 

• Awkward layout driven by ceiling angles 
• A tub-shower combo squeezed under a skylight 
• A bulky tiled shelf at the back of the tub and mismatched vanities (with only one sink!)
• Little storage and inefficient flow 
• Flooring uneven by more than two inches 
• Dangerous DIY plumbing and electrical 
• Small walk-in closet positioned in an odd place
• Outdated materials and poor natural light distribution 

The clients weren’t sure how much was possible but hoped for better storage and closet layout, double vanities and sinks, and still room for a shower and tub. 

Existing Conditions & Challenges

The kitchen started as a small, dark galley that felt closed off from the dining room, with uneven floors and a sagging cantilevered section that made the space feel unstable. Drafty windows, an inefficient layout, outdated appliances, and limited storage only added to the challenges, making it clear the room needed a modern makeover.

There was a formal dining room separated from the kitchen by a dated pass-through window. That dividing wall made both spaces feel heavy, disconnected, and much more closed off than the homeowners wanted.

The bathroom sat in an awkward layout with sloped ceilings and a tub-shower combo squeezed beneath a skylight. Limited storage and dated finishes made the space feel even tighter, while DIY framing and electrical issues lurked behind the walls. The floors were uneven by more than two inches, and a small, oddly positioned closet added to the overall dysfunction of the room. While there were two vanities, only one had a sink. 

Our clients made the kitchen and bathroom work, but they didn’t reflect modern lifestyle and lacked flow.

Client Wishlist & Design Goals

The goals for both spaces were aligned:

• Function first: Efficient storage, better flow, and layouts that support daily living
• Modern yet timeless: Fresh finishes, bright spaces, classic materials. Honor the home's historical charm. 
• Cohesive design: Colors, cabinetry, and details that tie the home together
• Special features:
  • Kitchen: two-tone cabinetry, integrated appliances, large island, improved range + ventilation
  • Bathroom: soaking tub, double vanities, spacious shower, thoughtful storage

The overarching goal? Make the spaces feel intentional, practical, modern, and beautiful.

Remodeling Process & Problem-Solving 

Structural & Functional Solutions
Working in a 100-year-old home always comes with surprises, and these spaces were no exception. Floors were uneven by up to two inches in some spots, and the kitchen’s cantilevered section was sagging.

Our team leveled the floors, reinforced the cantilever, and corrected attic framing to create a sturdy foundation for the bathroom wet room and dual vanities.

Opening the kitchen to the dining room required installing steel beams to safely support the ceiling, while old DIY electrical and plumbing issues were brought up to code to ensure the home was safe and functional for years to come.

Creative Design Solutions
Lindsay Brungardt and Kelly Summers along with our architecture team put their creative problem solving skills to the test. To make the most of these challenging spaces, the team implemented smart and thoughtful design solutions. In the kitchen, a downdraft range in the island keeps sightlines clean while providing professional-level cooking functionality. In the bathroom, a wet-room layout combines the tub and shower in a luxurious, spa-like design.

Storage was maximized throughout both spaces with clever features such as pull-out spice racks, tray dividers, deep drawers, a custom closet system, and hot-tool drawers. Lighting was carefully layered to provide both functionality and ambiance, with recessed LEDs, sconces, and decorative fixtures used strategically throughout.

Finishes & Materials
We guided our clients through material selections that balanced the historic charm of the home with modern elegance.

Kitchen highlights:

• Upper cabinets in Shiloh’s classic creamy white (Soft White)
• Lower cabinets in Shiloh’s light sage green (Evergreen Fog)
• Zellige-inspired backsplash tile installed vertically for texture and depth (Ragno Gleeze in Grigio) 
• Integrated refrigerator with custom panels to blend seamlessly
• Mix of classic brushed nickel and matte black accents
• Warm mid-tone walnut floors to anchor the space and honor the home’s age

Bathroom highlights:

• Glossy blue subway tile on the back wet-room wall for a striking focal point
• Soft grey pebble flooring for an earthy, spa-inspired feel
• Marble-inspired porcelain on remaining walls for classic elegance
• Grey-stained white oak vanities with brushed nickel hardware
• Bright, timeless white quartz countertops
• Layered lighting including recessed LEDs, mirror sconces, and decorative fixtures

Every selection was made with careful attention to natural light, textures, and a cohesive color palette to ensure both the kitchen and bathroom reflect a modern, elevated feel while honoring the home’s historic character.