Uptown Forever Home Renovation
The project consisted of a whole house renovation as well as a 2nd floor addition at the back of the house. The front porch was returned to its original historic form as required by the City historic district. Since the home was over 120 years old, significant attention was paid to maintaining and restoring the historic elements of the home such as original wood floors, siding, windows, and custom milled interior trim to match existing. The renovation added modern conveniences and solved a mold issue created by a poorly done previous renovation.
Restoration of the front elevation was a key component of the larger renovation effort. Approval for the project was contingent upon returning the facade to its original historic appearance after decades of alterations. Historic photographs were referenced extensively to ensure the redesigned front porch remained true to the home’s original character. Traditional New Orleans porches were designed not only to protect front doors and windows from heat and heavy rain, but also to encourage connection with neighbors and street life. Their detailing was typically restrained, featuring simple columns and trim, tongue-and-groove decking, and beadboard ceilings — often painted blue to ward off spirits or mosquitoes, depending on local lore.
At the rear of the home, the existing porch had severely deteriorated from years of water infiltration and required a complete rebuild. An underutilized outdoor bar was removed and replaced with a practical storage closet designed to house pool toys and equipment for the family. Shutter doors were incorporated into the outdoor storage design to provide ample ventilation while maintaining the home’s traditional character.
Throughout the project, we worked closely with the homeowners, interior designer Whitney Wilkinson, and the talented team at MZ. Architecture to ensure a seamless collaboration from start to finish. That level of coordination and craftsmanship makes all the difference, resulting in a thoughtful, enduring home built for this family to enjoy and grow into for years to come.
CREDITS:
Architect: MZ. Architecture
Interior Design: Whitney Wilkinson Design Studio
Photography: Neil Alexander
Photo Styling: Suzonne Stirling
