When you find an old home you love but your style is more modern, it can be challenging to combine the two.
Our home at 408 Gill was built in 1915. My style is much more modern. The goal is to find ways to highlight the old architectural features while incorporating modern pieces of mid-century, art deco, and Hollywood Regency styles.
Original features such as wood doors, trim, and salvaged hardwood floors have been incorporated into the renovation of 408 Gill wherever possible. Old registers were reused, and I'm searching for an antique fire surround for our formal living room to make the fireplace stand out.
I'm most excited about repurposing a set of lockers built for the old Price Elementary School. These massive 100" x 55" solid wood lockers have the original hardware, stain, and even holes where the pencil sharpener used to be. Note, I'm also on the hunt for a wall-mounted pencil sharpener.
Michelle Birkla put these lockers for sale on Facebook Marketplace when she and her husband prepared to downsize their home in Kirkwood. Fun fact: Price Elementary School was built in 1825. The building now houses Churchill School, a private school for children with learning disabilities. Michelle's husband works for Churchill and was allowed to salvage things from the building that were not being used by the Churchill School. The Birklas have had these lockers in their home for years, and now they are perfectly fitted for 408 Gill.
The transformation project at 408 Gill promises to merge the old and the new, and it will be exciting to see the final results. For anyone with a home renovation project that requires tips and tricks or salvage yard recommendations, follow @408 Gill for inspiration.
Trisha McConkey features stories about people, places and things related to the home. Follow Trisha on Facebook and Instagram at @HomeWorkWithTrisha and @408GillAve.
