When architect Mark Nelson discovered a vintage photo of this 1930s midtown Tulsa home, it became a touchstone for Nelson and the homeowner to recreate its earlier stately character.
Over the years, there had been various renovations and additions by previous owners. “But we felt most of the original character had been lost,” explains Nelson.
With the sloping lot and style of the house, the team felt it had the potential graciousness of a home in the Hamptons, so they replaced the existing siding with shingles and selected a classic gray and white exterior color scheme. The fairly new vinyl-clad full-view windows were replaced with custom wood-divided light windows, fabricated and installed by CDK Distribution.
The extensive renovation, overseen by builder Maison Consulting, continued inside where the walls were taken back to the studs with all new wiring and plumbing. Even the wood floors were removed and replaced with a wide plank, hand-scraped oak in a smoky dark finish. The only completely original architectural element remaining is the staircase.
Since much of the space had been carved into smaller areas, the goal was to create a more inviting floor plan that was conducive to entertaining while staying within the proportions and ceiling height that were typical of the 1930s. To add depth to the the expansive living room ceiling, a low-profile coffer was installed on an angle. Thin plank siding was added to the kitchen and family room ceilings.
“When you walked in the front door, there was a wall right in front of you,” says the homeowner. “Our goal was to open it up so you could see all the way through to the new saltwater pool.”
The original kitchen and breakfast room were combined to enlarge the kitchen, and a small office was transformed into the kitchen’s banquette. A custom stainless steel vent hangs between the custom cabinetry, designed by the homeowner and Nelson, built and installed by Architectural Interiors. The island is handcrafted from walnut. Statuary marble from Permastone was chosen for the kitchen since it is purer with less veining and is more impervious to stains.
The downstairs master suite was added several years ago, but it still required modernization. A new masonry fireplace was added, and the old laundry room was removed and the space added into the master closet. A new laundry area was also included. Horizontal marble tile lines the master bathroom walls from floor to ceiling as well as in the shower. Carrara marble was selected for the countertops and bathtub surround. Mirror was inset into the vanity cabinet doors and drawers to create a more spacious feel. Plumbing fixtures were supplied by Ferguson Enterprises Inc.
Upstairs, nearly all the walls were reconfigured, and a new laundry room was added. An old pool cabana was demolished, and a third garage bay was added. Then, a new cabana was built, allowing for a second story addition for a new bedroom. The original four-bedroom home now boasts five bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths.
“The old pool sat at an angle in the backyard that made it difficult to create an entertainment area,” says Nelson. So an old back porch and the existing pool were removed. Derek McCall of DRM Design Group was brought on board to design the new pool, fountain and the landscaping around the lavish outdoor living room complete with a new fireplace and outdoor kitchen.
The homeowner chose a neutral color palette for the walls and used bold colors as accents. The furnishings were transitioned from a modern home and blend with a mix of artwork and new accessories, while Flor carpet tile was used to create colorful area rugs.
