Rather than tearing down two long-vacant neighboring homes, our client chose to preserve and restore the exterior character and thoughtfully rehabilitate the interior — all on an extremely tight budget. We opened up and expanded the small, closed-off kitchen to improve the flow, and moved the laundry from a long hallway into a dedicated space in the back of the home. Inspired by the home's original purple glass doorknobs (which were unfortunately lost during the renovation), we used the vibrant shade in the primary bathroom. The new exit into the backyard is in the expanded family room, improving the indoor-outdoor living experience. In the front, we designed a new porch railing that feels appropriate for the neighborhood and age of the home.