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Lakewood couple renovates
a 1940s home focusing on Functionality
BY amanda flatten
photography by terri glanger
floral arranging by hollywood floral
Finding the right community was the most important part of finding the right place to live for Canadians Vicki and Brian Young who moved to Dallas from Caneel Bay on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands with their two young children Fiona, 7, and Brianna, 5, in 2004. The family had been living in Caneel Bay for almost six years for Brian’s work when he was promoted to vice president of operations of Rosewood Hotels and Resorts based in Dallas.
The family purchased a home in Lakewood and liked the area, but soon discovered the home didn’t meet all of their needs. Thus began the search for a better fit. The perfect match was found on a scenic tree-lined street in Lakewood. The only catch was, the home they wanted was built in 1942 and needed a lot of work. But the Youngs could see beyond the older home’s small kitchen, old electrical wiring and lack of central air conditioning to what it could be with the help of the right architect and builder, and with Vicki’s knack for decorating. “We saw good bones in the house, and we certainly wanted to keep the essence of the front facade, which was important from a street view,” Brian says.
THE RENOVATION PROCESS
Before purchasing their home, the Young family collaborated with Dallas-based W2-Studio, owned by Ryan and Melissa Williams, to discuss the options for a major renovation of the Colonial Revival-style house. W2-Studio is known for its new construction and remodeling of older homes mostly in the Lakewood area. Melissa Williams designed a plan, the Youngs purchased the home, and the construction began in February. “We are very community oriented, and we tried really hard to use everybody throughout the Lakewood community — as far as the architect/builder and landscaper — when remodeling this house,” says Vicki, who checked on the progress of the house daily.
The most dramatic renovations were the addition of a master suite upstairs, an expanded kitchen, a screened-in back porch, a welcoming covered front porch and a new garage that was built so that the homeowners can add on an upstairs studio if they want in the future.
“The homeowners really liked the idea of reusing anything they could from the original house,” Williams says. “While the fixtures and things are new, they wanted to match it to the old style of the house.”
The family moved into their completed home in late August.
A VISION TURNS INTO REALITY
In just under seven months, the home was transformed into a cozy, useful space with red oak floors throughout. “We really tried to make the home functional and use all the space,” Vicki says.
That sense of purpose can be seen in the new kitchen, which features tons of storage for all the essentials. This was most important to Brian, the household cook. Easy-to-access cabinets for the children’s arts and crafts, and a built-in banquet with storage beneath the bench seat also are key to the family’s efficient use of kitchen space. Functionality doesn’t mean the homeowners had to forgo style. The kitchen also boasts stunning white cabinets, contrasting black granite fossilized countertops and black and white terrazzo tile on the floor.
“We would suggest ideas, and Vicki was really good about making decisions quickly,” Williams says. “They were open to new ideas and new materials. We worked well together.”
Utilizing every bit of space, a computer work nook and bookshelves inhabit the space transitioning from the kitchen into the den. Again, in the den, functionality is at its best with gorgeous built-in selves that house the television, books, display pieces and cabinets for CDs.
Just off the kitchen is the screened-in porch with teak furniture and teak flooring. “I’m a closet cigar smoker, so I enjoy the porch. It’s a nice retreat,” says Brian. Vicki agrees the porch was an important part of the addition. “We use it all the time,” she says. “We will go back there and kick back and have a glass of wine at the end of the day.”
The front part of the house hosts the more formal entertainment areas — the living and the dining rooms. “I love to entertain,” says Vicki. The dining and living rooms highlight many of the couple’s family heirlooms. In the dining room, a large English silver chest, brass rubbings of 14th century English military memorial engravings and an antique Chinese lady’s writing desk can be found. Highlights in the living room include a Scottish china cabinet and an English occasional table with an inlaid sterling silver tray. Also, the original crown molding was restored in this room during the renovation.
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RESOURCES
W2-STUDIO
Architect and builder
535 West Lawther, Dallas
214.328.2448
www.w2-studio.com
OPTIMUM MARBLE
Marble floors, counters and fireplace surround
Garland
972.926.8381
CORONA FINISHES
Specialty painter
Garland
214.893.4791
REYES FLOORING
Hardwood floors
Mesquite
972.545.3390
THREE SONS CABINET SHOP
Kitchen cabinets
Kennedale
817.797.3080
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