Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Modern Updates Harmonize with Historical Character in This 1920s Houston Home

Modern Updates Harmonize with Historical Character in This 1920s Houston Home

A couple coaxes their old home to a new stage by holding on to its character, tossing out previous updates, and introducing a few modern accents.

Galen and Laura Hines-Pierce's 1920s home had resisted major change despite its location in Houston's trendy Montrose neighborhood. "It's unusual to find early homes in Houston with their character intact," Laura says. "We loved its original character, but we wanted it to feel a bit more modern and functional."



Designer Maureen Stevens helped find the sweet spot between old and new. Removing dated built-ins and a kitchen wall was an instant refresh. New elements such as statement lighting, geometric tiles, and midcentury-style furnishings pair well with vintage flooring and millwork. The teamwork is evident in the living room, where Stevens suggested keeping the original trim around windows and doors but giving the fireplace a sleek profile. "I like that dichotomy," Laura says. "Pushing the house a little has greatly enhanced how we live."
gray living room with warm wood floors and modern chandelier



A sleek pendant mounted to an antique ceiling medallion creates a striking fixture. "It commands little visual space so makes the ceiling seem higher," Stevens says.



Converting a passage near the front door into a dining area involved removing old cabinets, painting the walls, and bringing in a streamlined mix of furniture. "You can mix different eras, materials, and styles so long as they complement each other," Stevens says. The new wall color is Gray Owl 2137-60 from Benjamin Moore.



When juxtaposed with the pine parquet floor, wallpaper with an abstract pattern enlivens the entry. "If original flooring is salvageable, keep it," Stevens says. "You'll save a lot of money and have something unique."



To create a more efficient layout with impact, Stevens removed the window above the original sink and moved the range and refrigerator to that wall. The adjacent wall between the kitchen and sunroom came down for a more open feel.



"After playing with lots of ideas, the geometric green tile resonated because it plays off the outside foliage," Stevens says.



White paint (Pure White SW 7005 from Sherwin-Williams) flows into the sunroom. "Older homes used ivory whites with yellow undertones. This has no undertones," Stevens says, "so it immediately makes a space feel updated and fresh."


AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
EU Majority Demands Hungary Reverse Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws
Top Hotel Picks for 2025 Stays in Budapest Revealed
Iron Maiden Unveils 2025 Tour Setlist in Budapest
Chinese Film Week Opens in Budapest to Promote Cultural Exchange
Budapest Airport Launches Direct Flights to Shymkent
Von der Leyen Denies Urging EU Officials to Skip Budapest Pride
Alcaraz and Sinner Advance with Convincing Wins at Roland Garros
EU Ministers Lack Consensus on Sanctioning Hungary Over Rule of Law
EU Nations Urge Action Against Hungary's Pride Parade Ban
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
U.S. Considers Withdrawing Troops from Europe
Russia Deploys Motorbike Squads in Ukraine Conflict
Critics Accuse European Court of Human Rights of Overreach
Spain Proposes 100% Tax on Non-EU Holiday Home Purchases
German Intelligence Labels AfD as Far-Right Extremist
Geert Wilders Threatens Dutch Coalition Over Migration Policy
Hungary Faces Multiple Challenges Amid EU Tensions and Political Shifts
Denmark Increases Retirement Age to 70, Setting a European Precedent
Any trade deal with US must be based on respect not threats', says EU commissioner
UK Leads in Remote Work Adoption, Averaging 1.8 Days a Week
Thirteen Killed in Russian Attacks Across Ukraine
High-Profile Incidents and Political Developments Dominate Global News
Netanyahu Accuses Western Leaders of 'Emboldening Hamas'
Ukraine and Russia Conduct Largest Prisoner Exchange of the War
×