Stratford

Winston-Salem’s Buena Vista neighborhood is home to the Thurmond and Lucy Chatham House. Designed in a 1925 Classical Revival style, this residence is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

These homeowners desired a renovation that would preserve their home’s integrity while improving its function. This is our specialty at ICON Custom Builders, and we’re honored that they partnered with our team for two bathroom transformations. 

True primary bathrooms did not exist in 1925. Initially this zone was two smaller spaces – a closet and a small bathroom with a tub/shower. 

Throughout this full gut renovation project, our team designed a primary bathroom and guest bathroom that met all the criteria on the homeowners’ wish list.

This historic home renovation was not without challenges, especially due to the way the house was built over 100 years ago. “During demolition, we discovered the home was constructed using unique building materials such as gypsum block walls, steel floor joists, and concrete floors,” shared project manager Luke Phillips.

Updating historic homes often requires unique construction methods, so our team took extra precaution when working with these century-old building materials. 

One of our guiding principles at ICON Custom Builders is to revitalize well-built structures, improving functionality while maintaining the home’s original integrity and character. That’s exactly what we accomplished at this historic Chatham House. 

First, we redesigned the initial layout of two smaller spaces to create one large primary bathroom area. We carefully drilled through the steel floor joists to reroute the new drain line, and installed LVL beams to reinforce the framing and maintain structural integrity. 

Since the original gypsum block walls do not easily allow for modern electrical upgrades, we framed out new interior walls. This created a pathway for electrical and plumbing to run through, while providing a surface to install drywall for a clean, finished look. 

Next came all the custom details. The open floor plan boasts a large shower, double vanity, and private water closet – features that will elevate the homeowners’ quality of life. 

Interior designer Jen Cameron shared, “to stay true to the time period of this home, it was very important to the homeowners that the finishes reflected the era of the home.”

Marble tile flows throughout the bathroom, including a stunning custom mosaic accent in the shower. Polished nickel plumbing fixtures and accessories add warmth and a classic feel to the space. Heated tile floors create a luxury spa-like experience. 

Custom moldings accent the vanity wall and frame the double mirrors. A hidden jib door next to the shower creates a linen closet, seamlessly adding storage. This was designed and built by our master craftsman Don Guilbault.

The guest bathroom’s layout stayed the same, however we updated the shower area and added functional storage space in the cabinets and vanity. Marble countertops and shower tile combined with polished nickel lighting and plumbing fixtures maintain consistency throughout the bath spaces.  

A classic feel combined with modern amenities ensures that guests will have an enjoyable experience when visiting this home that holds a lot of unique history within its walls.  

Throughout this historic home renovation in Buena Vista, we stayed true to the home’s original character and charm while elevating its function to meet the homeowners’ needs.

All the timeless details in both bathroom spaces celebrate the original structure’s history, and our team was honored to be a part of the transformation.