Grandma’s Bungalow Restoration, Wheatridge, Colo.
Retrofit Team
Architect: Doug Walter Architects
General Contractor: Coggeshall Construction, (303) 917-5320
Cabinetry: Residential Space Planning Inc., (303) 440-8210
Materials
Windows: Pella
Roofing: CertainTeed
Cabinetry: Plato Woodwork Inc.
Counters: Soapstone
Range and Hood, Refrigerator: Big Chill
Sink: Whitehaven 36-inch Apron Sink from Kohler
Kitchen Faucet: Chesterfield from Newport Brass
Exhaust Fans: WhisperFit from Panasonic
The Retrofit
A beloved 1926 Craftsman-style bungalow, constructed by the owner’s Swedish-immigrant grandparents, had remained in the family ever since. The design brief was twofold: restore the home’s original character by removing decades of incongruous modifications and prepare the space for contemporary living—functionally and sustainably.
The homeowner’s emotional connection to the property guided every aspect of the design. At the heart of the project was the restoration of the kitchen, reimagined as it might have appeared in 1926. With limited physical documentation, the team turned to period magazines, archival photos and one surviving base cabinet as inspiration to faithfully reconstruct a historically appropriate aesthetic.
Among the project’s challenges were a compromised kitchen foundation that required full removal and reconstruction, using reinforced concrete and updated framing with brick veneer to match the original façade. Asbestos in the plaster mandated a complete interior gut, including removal of all original trim and built-ins. Each piece was meticulously replicated in clear Douglas fir.
Today, white-painted inset cabinets with exposed chrome pin hinges and polished nickel hardware reference the hygienic and streamlined look of the era. Period-inspired cutouts under the farmhouse sink and custom upper cabinet brackets add vintage charm. Retro-style appliances, including a show-stopping “icebox” refrigerator and induction range, marry style with 21st-century performance.
Original oak floors were uncovered beneath layers of vinyl, refinished and extended with matching new oak where necessary. Deep-red-stained Douglas fir millwork adds warmth, color and authenticity. The breakfast nook and adjacent sunroom addition feature Douglas fir beadboard ceilings echoing the original porch ceiling. The living room gained new period-style beam-work, and the dining room now has a coffered ceiling with trim to match.
Lovingly preserved, the breakfast nook retains its original benches, table and arched entryway. A salvaged original window—left uncased—reveals iron counterweights, providing a whimsical and educational detail.
A former stairwell space was absorbed into the kitchen layout, allowing for more storage and light. New south-facing skylights flood the space with daylight. A wide opening connects the kitchen to the adjacent sunroom addition.
The result is a seamless marriage of history and modernity—a fully updated home wrapped in the charm and integrity of its 1926 origins.
PHOTOS: Philip Wegener Photography unless otherwise noted
