This Alberta Arts bungalow is in keeping with the quintessential character and smaller scale of one of Portland’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Built in 1912, the main level is just 900 sq ft and was originally designed with a two bedroom, one bath layout. Our homeowners were delighted to find a house in this popular area that might fulfill their goal of downsizing but they quickly determined that the constricted floor plan would not accomplish their intent of living comfortably within a small footprint. Through the recommendations of friends, they turned to COOPER Design Build to perform a whole home remodel in Northeast Portland!
The home’s charming front porch opens directly into the living area which now features a cozy gas fireplace with custom mantle and tilework reflecting the home’s original character. The common areas of the home flow from front to back seamlessly. Visually separated by a peninsula breakfast bar, the spacious kitchen is open to the living and dining areas. Gaining critical space from the former refrigerator cavity, a powder room was able to be added in the enclosed sun porch at the rear of the home. This sunny multi-purpose mudroom leads to a lovely backyard as well as the interior staircase to the basement.
An oversized barn door effortlessly slides to reveal the newly designed primary suite; its large panel of frosted glass allows natural light to continue flowing across the house when closed. Upon entering the open concept space, a custom double sink vanity with ample storage catches the eye while the adjacent, enclosed water closet and two-person shower allows the entire bath to feel private yet spacious. To the right is a proportionally sized primary bedroom that feels expansive due to the addition of sunny French doors that open onto a new private deck extending into the lush backyard. To the left of the entry (which was originally the second bedroom), floor to ceiling cabinetry lines both walls designed to provide generous, customized storage solutions for the homeowners.
Finishing an additional 900 sq ft of raw space in the home’s dark, non-weatherized basement allowed the main level to evolve into the restful, open, yet still cozy space the homeowners envisioned from the start. However, basements are often quite tricky (especially in 110 year old homes!), requiring extensive planning and flexibility. This basement was no exception, however, our intelligent design created the comfortable additional living space needed. Our Designer utilized an open floor plan to provide maximum flexibility and now the lower level performs several critical functions: serving as a home office, den, and guest suite. The stylish, soothing bath utilizes a neutral palette to keep the room light and bright and is anchored by a dramatic black tile floor. The adjacent laundry room makes cleaning a breeze and offers additional storage for the lower level.
This Northeast Portland whole home remodel is a masterclass in doing more with less by thoughtfully transforming a small, older house into the perfect space for the homeowners’ evolving lifestyle!
