Houzz Tour: Restored Shotgun Home Infused With History
A designer breathes new life into an early 20th-century duplex in New Orleans and then moves in
Exterior (before). The home’s exterior needed attention, but most features were salvageable. Harper was able to keep the front windows and ironwork, which allowed her to save most of the home’s original style.
But challenges appeared when Harper looked more closely at the home. Early in the renovation, she discovered that the foundation needed extensive repairs to get it up to code. This was one big issue that had to be addressed, and it affected the budget of the overall project.
But challenges appeared when Harper looked more closely at the home. Early in the renovation, she discovered that the foundation needed extensive repairs to get it up to code. This was one big issue that had to be addressed, and it affected the budget of the overall project.
Exterior (after). Kex Design + Build’s specialty is making a home livable while keeping its original character. This main goal of the renovation even influenced the color of the exterior. Predominantly pink, white and gray, the palette speaks to the “fun and bright” New Orleans culture, Harper says.
While updating the exterior, the design team added a new privacy fence.
While updating the exterior, the design team added a new privacy fence.
Interior. When you walk through the front door, you feel as though you’ve walked into a modern version of an early 1900s home. Although this renovation called for replacing a lot of the original finishes, Harper didn’t want it to look as though she had replaced everything. She purchased new products, such as the mantels and doors, that would align with the original character of the home.
Unfortunately, the original wood floors were not salvageable. However, Harper and her team used new-growth pine, a sustainable product, to match the character of the original flooring.
Unfortunately, the original wood floors were not salvageable. However, Harper and her team used new-growth pine, a sustainable product, to match the character of the original flooring.
Living room. The living room pays tribute to New Orleans’ history and character. The artwork hanging on the bright blue wall speaks to the civil rights movement and New Orleans’ Haitian community. Harper used artwork throughout the home to honor the city and its people. It’s an “ode to the old,” she says.
Sofa: Anthopologie; rug: RugsUSA.com; coffee table and side tables: Target; yellow theater chairs: eBay; art: KV Harper’s personal collection
Sofa: Anthopologie; rug: RugsUSA.com; coffee table and side tables: Target; yellow theater chairs: eBay; art: KV Harper’s personal collection
Fireplaces. Committing to save the fireplaces wasn’t easy or cheap. But Harper felt that the task was necessary to retain the home’s character.
In total, Harper ended up having three original fireplaces restored. Today they aren’t functioning, but true to Harper’s nature, she still thought they were worth saving.
In total, Harper ended up having three original fireplaces restored. Today they aren’t functioning, but true to Harper’s nature, she still thought they were worth saving.
Kitchen. Instead of wood flooring, Harper decided to use reclaimed brick in the kitchen. Kex Design + Build made the custom wood shelving and countertops.
Appliances: Sears; lighting: West Elm
Appliances: Sears; lighting: West Elm
Bathroom. Harper’s main bathroom needed a major update, she says. She installed new flooring, a medicine cabinet and the shower tiles. The design team then used reclaimed wood for the countertop and ceiling for extra charm, Harper says.
Browse hexagon bathroom tile
Browse hexagon bathroom tile
Guest bathroom. In this bathroom, the walls were plastered, which is a style that pairs nicely with the rest of the home. A bucket sink conveys a fun yet functional vibe.
Sink: Rejuvenation; faucet: eBay; toilet: Lowe’s; custom shelving: Kex Design + Build; mirror: Cost Plus World Market
Sink: Rejuvenation; faucet: eBay; toilet: Lowe’s; custom shelving: Kex Design + Build; mirror: Cost Plus World Market
Overall design. The modifications are not bold, Harper says, but they stay true to how the home would have looked when it was originally built.
The pink shotgun home embraces the story of New Orleans. At its core, New Orleans has charm and character; the people and the food make it a city you’ll never forget.
Guests also feel at home here. If you stop by, you might find Harper’s niece doing cartwheels in the middle of the living room. It’s a house where the 9-year-old feels comfortable, which is a feeling Harper wants her friends and family to have when they visit.
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More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
The pink shotgun home embraces the story of New Orleans. At its core, New Orleans has charm and character; the people and the food make it a city you’ll never forget.
Guests also feel at home here. If you stop by, you might find Harper’s niece doing cartwheels in the middle of the living room. It’s a house where the 9-year-old feels comfortable, which is a feeling Harper wants her friends and family to have when they visit.
Find architects and building designers near you
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
House at a Glance
Who lives here: KV Harper, owner and principal designer of Kex Design + Build
Location: Seventh Ward of New Orleans
Size: 1,800 square feet (167 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer KV Harper fell in love with New Orleans on a visit and decided to invest her money, time and love of interior design in the city. She found an old double shotgun home in the Seventh Ward that needed lots of love and set about restoring it. The architectural style, common in New Orleans, refers to a duplex with a central wall dividing the building into identical halves whose rooms line up one behind the other.
For five months, Harper and her business partner, Erix Peres, researched and implemented a design that made the home livable and stayed true to its original style. In the end, Harper came to live on one side of the shotgun home, which we’ll take a closer look at, and to rent out the other side.