A 100+ year old home in Lavaca, one of San Antonio’s oldest neighborhoods, is renovated to re-establish a family’s commitment to place and community.
The original home had been simply renovated (by previous owners) but the foundation needed work and finishes had started to show wear and tear. The back yard was a mud pit with a dilapidated shed but it was deep and empty with lots of promise. We slowly cleaned things up, starting with the landscape and creating an outdoor space to enjoy. The old shed was removed and a selection of native species planted. A few years later a new studio/shed and raised vegetable beds were added. Finally, to truly create a summer respite, a small pool and more layers of native, drought tolerant plants were added.
To reflect the aesthetics and lifestyle of the current owners, who are both architects and artists, we completely remodeled the kitchen and master bath. The kitchen brings together open shelving in reclaimed long leaf pine to display a collection of handmade pottery, treasures collected throughout years of travel, with a pecan wood island top and saddle leather furniture for a warm, inviting gathering space. The principal bathroom was taken down to the studs, closet enlarged, and a beautiful walk-in shower + new vanity installed. The office was transformed in eucalyptus green and built-in raw edge plywood shelving, a family heirloom original Bertoia Bird Chair finally finding a place of honor, softly lit from above. The remainder of the home received fresh paint, new closets, and accessory touch ups, creating a home that honors a love of craft, nature, and art.
Backyard before
Backyard today
all photos by Andrea Calo