Restoring a Houston Heights Bungalow: Thoughtful Design for Modern Living
I’m thrilled to be collaborating with a builder on the renovation of a charming bungalow in the Houston Heights—a neighborhood I hold dear. Preserving the character of these historic homes is incredibly important, especially as the area is increasingly filled with generic townhomes that lack the warmth and charm that make the Heights so unique. Whenever I have the opportunity to restore a home rather than replace it, I jump at the chance.
Designing for the Future Homeowner
Because this is a speculative build, meaning there’s no specific homeowner in mind yet, the design choices must appeal to a broad audience while maintaining a high level of style and functionality. We’re just getting started with selections, and I’m excited to take you through the transformation as it unfolds.
In Houston, architects are not required to have formal accreditation, which is why working with an interior designer is crucial to ensuring a home is both beautiful and livable. My expertise allows me to anticipate how future homeowners will use the space based on demographics and lifestyle needs, creating a home that’s as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing.
I’m thrilled to be collaborating with a builder on the renovation of a charming bungalow in the Houston Heights, a neighborhood I hold dear. Preserving the character of these historic homes is incredibly important, especially as the area is increasingly filled with generic townhomes that lack the warmth and charm that make the Heights so unique. Whenever I have the opportunity to restore a home rather than replace it, I jump at the chance.
Designing for the Future Homeowner
Because this is a speculative build, meaning there’s no specific homeowner in mind yet, the design choices must appeal to a broad audience while maintaining a high level of style and functionality. We’re just getting started with selections, and I’m excited to take you through the transformation as it unfolds.
In Houston, architects are not required to have formal accreditation, which is why working with an interior designer is crucial to ensuring a home is both beautiful and livable. My expertise allows me to anticipate how future homeowners will use the space based on demographics and lifestyle needs, creating a home that’s as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing.
Rethinking the Layout
The original floor plan of this bungalow was cramped and outdated, with awkward renovations from the early ’90s that detracted from its original charm. One of the biggest challenges? The master bedroom had no direct access to a bathroom—forcing the homeowner to walk through multiple rooms just to take a shower. Clearly, this needed to change.
The builder’s initial redesign was a step in the right direction, but I saw opportunities for further improvements:
Hall Bath & Master Bath: The original plan included a shower-only hall bath and a bathtub-only master bath. However, in a family-friendly neighborhood like the Heights, the hall bath needs a bathtub for children. On the other hand, the argument that the master bath must have a tub “for resale” is outdated, most buyers today prioritize a well-designed, luxurious shower over a tub they may never use.
Front Rooms & Sightlines: The two front rooms felt too closed off, and I wasn’t a fan of the direct sightline from the front door to the back door. I wanted to introduce more architectural interest while maintaining an open, welcoming flow.
Study & Architectural Details: The front “study” didn’t feel well-integrated into the home’s layout. By opening it up, we could create an opportunity for a beautiful Craftsman-style architectural moment, perhaps with built-in bookcases and classic columns.
Laundry Placement: The laundry area in the breakfast room felt out of place, but finding an alternative location proved challenging.
The front “study” didn’t feel well-integrated into the home’s layout. By opening it up, we could create an opportunity for a beautiful Craftsman-style architectural moment, perhaps with built-in bookcases and classic columns.
Back Porch Access: The initial plan placed the main porch doors in the master bedroom, making furniture placement difficult and creating an awkward flow from the porch to the backyard. By reconfiguring the access points, we ensured a more practical outdoor living space.
Vestibule & Circulation: The back vestibule didn’t add much function, it was essentially a “room of doors.” By streamlining this space, we improved the home’s circulation and maximized usable square footage.
Finalizing a Thoughtful, Livable Design
Through collaboration with the architect and builder, we refined the layout into a well-balanced, highly functional home. The final floor plan enhances natural light, improves traffic flow, and maintains the bungalow’s historic charm while making it work for modern living.
As a designer, I firmly believe that the best projects happen when the entire design team; builders, architects, and interior designers, work together with open minds and without ego. That level of collaboration truly elevates a home’s design, making it not just beautiful, but deeply considered and livable.
Next Steps: Selections & Finishes
Right now, the home has been demoed, raised, and is in the permitting phase. Next, we’ll be diving into the selection process for finishes, fixtures, and materials. I’ll share those details soon, stay tuned!
This project was completed during my years working in Houston's Heights, a neighborhood that taught me more about historic preservation than anywhere else I've worked. The questions it raised are the same ones I bring to every older home I work on now: what does this house want to be, what did it used to be, and how do you close the gap between those two things without erasing the character that made it worth saving in the first place.
Those questions don't belong to Houston. Littleton's older bungalows and mid-century ranches ask them just as insistently. If you're working with a home that has real bones and you're trying to figure out what's worth keeping and what needs to change, that's exactly the kind of project I do best.