Sight Unseen: Historic Home Transformation in Detroit
When Wes Borland and Carré Callaway crossed the country from Los Angeles to Detroit and first stepped into their new home in the historic Boston-Edison neighborhood, they had no idea what they were in for.
Taking a huge gamble and buying the house without ever actually seeing inside, the pair had plenty of exciting – and terrifying – work ahead of them.
Master, After: Wes and Carré worked to transform their master suite into an oasis with elegant, personal touches including a custom, built-in headboard reminiscent of the era in which the house was built.
Walk-in Closet/Dressing Room, Before: This entrance was now unnecessary for Wes and Carré's walk-in closet/dressing room and needed to be walled up so that new custom wardrobes could be put in.
The door will be removed along with the built-ins. New custom wardrobes will be added. |
The door will be removed along with the built-ins. New custom wardrobes will be added. |
The door will be removed along with the built-ins. New custom wardrobes will be added. |
Butler's Pantry, After: The new cabinetry looks right at home with the original cabinets in the restored butler's pantry. While the refrigerator was relocated to the kitchen, a cabinet that was salvaged from the kitchen took its place. But the real pride of the butler's pantry is the dumbwaiter, which Carré restored to its former glory.
The new cabintry looks right at home with the original cabinets in this restored butler's pantry. |
The new cabintry looks right at home with the original cabinets in this restored butler's pantry. |
Dining Nook, Before: The kitchen's dining nook was too boxed in. Wes and Carré needed to remove the wall at the far end to make the room more a part of the kitchen area.
The kitchen's dining knook is too boxed in. Wes and Caree plan to remove the wall at the far end to make the room more a part of the kitchen area. |
Dining Nook, After: Wes' light fixture is the perfect accent to this beautiful dining nook. Stainless steel shelves with adorable succulents were also added along the wall for a modern touch.
To add a modern touch, stainles shelves with succulents line the wall of the kitchen's dining knook. |
Dining Room, After: The addition of glass French doors allow for separation while not completely closing the dining room off from the rest of the house.
The addition of glass French doors allow for seperation while not completely closing the dining room off from the rest of the house. |
Guest Bath, Before: The guest bath was a tired space. The plaster panels with fake subway tiles needed to be removed as well as the vintage sink.
The guest bath is a drab and boring room. The plaster panels with fake subway tiles will be removed in favor of adding real subway tile. |