A century-old Brookside home receives thoughtful updates that honor its historic charm while delivering modern functionality for a growing family.
Story by Ann Butenas | Photography by Matthew Anderson
A 1926 residence in Kansas City’s historic Brookside neighborhood recently underwent a thoughtful renovation under the direction of Lindsay Brungardt, CKBR Design Consultant at Schloegel Design Remodel. The project addressed practical challenges faced by the homeowners as their family began to expand, while respecting the home’s architectural heritage.
The nearly century-old home, despite its abundant character, had limitations: just three bedrooms and a single full bathroom upstairs. Brungardt developed a comprehensive plan that addressed the upstairs bathroom shortage, reimagined the kitchen, and transformed a cramped toilet closet into a proper powder bath.
“Finding balance between preservation and modernization is the fundamental challenge in historic homes,” Brungardt explained. “We searched for opportunities within the existing footprint to make impactful changes while maintaining the home’s architectural integrity.”
The spacious primary bedroom offered an ideal opportunity to create a second bathroom. Using some of its existing footprint, Brungardt created an en suite bathroom, which features a distinctive navy-blue tiled shower paired with a warm walnut vanity and refined champagne bronze fixtures. Hexagon floor tiles introduce period-appropriate geometric interest, while an existing window was thoughtfully incorporated into the design. Brungardt’s team hung a mirror directly in front of the window, preserving privacy without sacrificing the natural light that brightens the space.
The kitchen renovation required more substantial structural modifications. Brungardt eliminated an inefficient hallway that stretched from the front to the back of the house, reclaiming valuable square footage. Previous amateur renovations had left unusual features, including an impractical built-in banquette positioned behind the range.
“The house had undergone several DIY projects over the years,” noted Brungardt. “The banquette behind the range was particularly problematic, as the current owners simply couldn’t make it work for their lifestyle.”
The redesigned kitchen now serves as both the functional and aesthetic heart of the home. White-painted maple perimeter cabinets complement white quartz countertops with delicate gray veining. The walnut island creates a striking focal point, enhanced by carefully selected honey bronze linear pulls throughout. Further adding head-turning appeal to the space is the custom walnut range hood that commands attention while harmonizing with the surrounding elements.
Thoughtful details elevate the kitchen’s functionality without compromising its refined aesthetic. A beverage refrigerator accommodates entertaining needs, while a microwave drawer integrated seamlessly into the cabinetry maintains clean lines. The deep green backsplash tiles bridge traditional and contemporary design with their classic shape and rich color.
“Our goal is always to create spaces that feel authentic to the home’s era and architecture,” Brungardt emphasized.
Rather than maximizing storage along the back wall, Brungardt made the deliberate choice to add windows, prioritizing natural light, a decision that significantly brightens the kitchen. Where walls were removed, new hardwood flooring was expertly blended with the original floors, which were sanded and refinished to create visual continuity throughout the first level.
The powder bath transformation represents perhaps the most dramatic change. What was once merely a closet with a toilet has evolved into a proper powder room featuring a white vessel sink atop walnut cabinetry with a matte black faucet. The gold and white wallpaper was discovered after an extensive search and fortuitously coordinates with the kitchen’s backsplash.
One of the renovation’s most successful elements is how it honors the home’s architectural heritage. Brungardt’s team replaced a rectangular opening between the dining room and kitchen with an arched doorframe that complements original archways elsewhere in the house. A similar arched opening leads to the powder bath, ensuring these new spaces feel integral to the home.
“These architectural connections help a renovation feel authentic,” Brungardt observed. “Such details distinguish between renovations that seem appropriate versus those that feel disconnected from the home’s history.”
For the growing family, the transformation has provided much-needed functionality and thoughtful updates that will serve them for years to come. Through meticulous planning and respect for the home’s historic character, Brungardt has delivered a renovation that feels both contemporary and timeless, proof that century-old homes can indeed meet modern needs without sacrificing their distinctive charm.
Resources
- Remodeler/Contractor: Schloegel Design Remodel
- Exterior Stucco Work: Stucco Repair Specialists, LLC
- HVAC: Air Care Heating & Cooling
- Plumbing: Inception Plumbing
- Electric: Jason Wright Electric, Inc.
- Drywall: Lee Drywall & Plaster
- Kitchen and Bathroom Quartz: SCI Surfaces
- Paint: Total Pro Interior Painting
- Wallpaper Install: Cathy’s Wallpapering
- Tile Installation: Apex Tile
- Hardwood Floors: Quality Hardwood Flooring
- Roofing for Exhaust: Vaught Roofing, Inc.
- Shower Door: Westport Glass Co.
- Windows & Door: Kansas City Millwork, Inc.
- Cabinets: WW Wood Products
- Cabinet Hardware: Top Knobs, Inc.
- Backsplash, Powder Floor, Primary Floor/Shower Tile: Pro Source Wholesale Floorcoverings
- Shower Wall Tile: Floor and Decor / CIT Group
- Plumbing Fixtures: Grandview Winnelson
