Front Parlor
One example of this sophisticated style is the former home of Val Hawkins. “It had beautiful bones,” says Hawkins, principal architect of Val Hawkins Architect. “The house had not been significantly touched since it was originally built, so it retained many of the original features—everything from the crown moldings to detailed door casings.
The more-than-a-century-old home boasted seven original fireplaces, five floors—including the attic and cellar—and a private courtyard garden that, while charming, had seen better days. The previous owners bought the historic row house in the 1960s and left behind a somewhat dated ambiance. “We wanted it to retain some of its formality, but we also wanted to create an inviting space where we could entertain people with children,” says Hawkins.
