Built in 1906, this home’s respectful redesign reflects its small town’s name and culture.
If you’re lucky enough to be living in a historic home, you already know you’ve found a gem among stones. But when that architectural gem needs to bring back its shine and add new diamonds to its setting, it can be a daunting task to know how to proceed with a respectful redesign. Homeowners Caliste and Deke Burt were faced with that challenge. They loved living in their 1906-built cottage nestled in a small Texas town with the charming name of Comfort, but they knew it needed modern modifications — and they also knew they needed help on how to proceed with the redesign. So, they reached out to their longtime friend Sarah Hardin, owner/designer of Sarah Hardin Design.
“They started on the project without a designer. We were visiting one day and Caliste asked me if I could come over to help her make sure she didn’t pick the wrong tile. The next thing we knew, I was working on the entire project with them, from early remodeling through furniture designs and install,” Sarah explains. “They were both very involved throughout the process. Their biggest request was to incorporate pieces from their family. We had so much fun dreaming up ways to breathe new life into this old home and create a space their family can enjoy for years to come.”
Sarah took the homeowners’ requests and added her designer’s eye and experience to ensure they would be pleased with the outcome. “My vision is always to make sure that the home speaks to the client. It needs to function for how they live,” she says. “I love a cozy, layered look, especially for a historic home. The additions needed to make sense, and the tile, wallpaper, lighting, fabrics and antiques all come together to create the vision. We selected timeless colors and fabrics that would feel right in an old home. It needed to be cozy and inviting for their grown children and guests. The fabrics are dog-friendly (the family has two dogs: Dallas and Dixie), soft and beautiful. I wanted the home to have a casual elegance and feel as welcoming and real as the Burts are.”
Sarah reveals the redesigns that were at the top of her to-do list. “I love Comfort. The home is on a side street, right off the main street called High Street. Comfort is a small town. There are mostly homes there, but High Street has darling shops and charming restaurants. When I was hired, the home was already under construction. The entire home was being reworked. My first instinct was to help them make decisions to honor the age of the home but make it warm and livable for modern living. Using living finishes and reclaimed wood helped. We redesigned the kitchen and dining area, adding built-in cabinets and transoms to separate the space.”
Sarah says the renovations included thoughtful changes to the footprint where it made sense, always with an eye toward preserving the original materials and respecting the home’s history. “I love a home with a story. This home had approximately five owners over the years. At one point, it even operated as a restaurant called Arlene’s,” she says. “The goal was to keep it traditional while layering in patina and character so the new spaces flowed seamlessly with the old. Most importantly, we wanted it to feel appropriate to its age — never forced, never too precious and definitely not like a bed and breakfast.”
There are certain elements Sarah has in her designer’s toolbox for styling old homes that add to their character. “When redesigning a historic home, I like to use antique light fixtures and vintage finds to help with the overall feel of the space,” she says. “We used reclaimed wood and timeless finishes. It is important for the new spaces to have some patina so that the old and new blend seamlessly.”
True-Blue Color Story
Luckily, the homeowners both have a penchant for blue hues, so that made Sarah’s paint and fabric color choices easier. “We definitely used a lot of blue!” she says with a laugh. “As we began to work on the room colors and design boards, blue was the constant favorite for Deke and Caliste,” she recalls. “We used plenty of neutral colors in various areas, but almost always with a little shade of blue somewhere.”
As you enter the home, Sarah’s artistic approach to interior design is in full display. “In the entryway, there is paneling and a navy ceiling to give the home a slightly dramatic entrance,” she explains. “We painted the brick white to match the walls so the room wouldn’t feel too dark. The original fireplace mantel, mirror and chandelier are complemented by antique furniture. In addition to the ‘matching’ settees, I found a feminine straight-back chair to pair with Caliste’s grandfather’s straight-back chair. Adding a fresh floral cushion updated the look.”
One of the room redesigns Sarah is most pleased about may come as a surprise: the bathroom. “I cannot get over the primary bathroom! This space got the royal treatment and was a totally custom design,” she says. “To maximize the space, my clients wanted a glass-enclosed shower in the middle of the room. The vanities are on either side of the shower. The clients each selected their own lighting to create distinct ‘his and hers’ spaces. The marble floor and countertops look luxurious and the gorgeous crystal chandelier is another glamorous touch.”
The restyled room with the most sentimental meaning is the guest room. “The guest room is primarily furnished with pieces that belonged to Caliste’s grandmother,” Sarah says. “The bedding, canopy and draperies were created using her grandmother’s original vintage linens. One of my favorite elements is the portrait that greets you as you enter the room: a painting of Caliste’s mother before she joined the convent. She left religious life to marry Caliste’s father and raise a large, joyful family. Most of the artwork in the room also belonged to her grandmother, making the space incredibly personal and rich with history.”
The living room needs to be multifunctional with durable fabrics and Sarah managed to make it happen. “It needed to be cozy for the empty nesters but able to fit a crowd,” she explains. “The built-ins are painted in the same navy as the ceiling, so I had to approach the use of blue differently in this space. We used a neutral performance fabric on the sofa and linen velvet on the ottoman. All the furniture can hold up to frequent guests and cute puppies.”
The kitchen is brimming with custom character. “A local craftsman built the island top and vent hood from pecan trees that had to be removed from the property. One section of the kitchen has a built-in designed to look like a stained hutch instead of matching the painted cabinets. This gave the appearance of the ‘added onto over time’ quality that I strive for. We didn’t want the room to feel busy with a tiled backsplash, so we opted to do a slab backsplash of Taj Mahal instead.”
Sarah discusses some of her favorite aspects of the project’s outcome. “I love that people visiting can’t tell which parts are new. The transoms in the kitchen, for example, seem like originals,” she reveals. “I adore the guest bedroom and how special it is to Caliste. I love seeing the unique pieces we sourced throughout the home. Deke and Caliste could not be more pleased. We had so much fun collaborating that I was sad for the project to end!”
Add Character and Comfort to Your Historic Home
Sarah’s advice on how to redesign an older home respectfully.
I think it is important to use real materials. Real marble, real quartzite, unlacquered brass or polished nickel all help to give a new or redesigned historic home the right feel. Sourcing vintage lighting is also a great way to give the home character. Layers help make the historic home feel cozy, such as by adding vintage rugs, beautiful textiles and art. Don’t forget your window treatments: custom draperies and Roman shades complete the space.
