CNBC Make It - We renovated an old $175,000 schoolhouse and made it into our family home — take a look inside
The video describes the transformation of an old schoolhouse into a residential home. Originally, the building had four classrooms, which have been repurposed into various living spaces. One classroom was converted into a kitchen, requiring significant work to stabilize the room and fix the roof. Another classroom, now a bedroom, retains some original paint colors matched to its historical look. The schoolhouse, which served as a barn from 1936 to the mid-1950s, has been adapted to include modern amenities like bathrooms, which were not originally part of the building. The renovation process involved refinishing original doors and incorporating elements from different classrooms to maintain a connection to the building's past while updating it for modern living.
Key Points:
- The schoolhouse had four original classrooms, now converted into living spaces.
- Significant renovations included stabilizing rooms and fixing the roof.
- Original elements like doors and paint colors were preserved to maintain historical integrity.
- Modern amenities such as bathrooms were added, as the original building lacked them.
- The building served as a barn from 1936 to the mid-1950s before becoming a home.
Details:
1. 🏠 Transforming the Old Schoolhouse: From Classroom to Kitchen
- The entry room, originally one of four classrooms upstairs, was transformed into a kitchen, addressing structural challenges.
- Significant work was required to stabilize the room, including installing a new roof to prevent leaks, showcasing the complexity of the renovation process.
- Originally built as a schoolhouse, the building's transformation required careful planning to maintain its historical integrity while modernizing its function.
- Challenges such as structural instability and roofing issues were resolved through strategic construction methods, highlighting the project's adaptive reuse approach.
2. 🎨 Historical Layers: From School to Barn
- The school, originally serving as an educational institution, closed in 1936, ending its role in education.
- From 1936 to the mid-1950s, the building underwent a transition period, during which it served various unspecified purposes, indicating a shift in its use.
- During this transition, a giant turkey painting was added in one of the original classrooms, possibly reflecting a new thematic or functional change in the building's use.
- By the mid-1950s, the building had fully transitioned to a barn, marking a significant shift in its structural and functional identity.
3. 👶 Family Spaces: Adapting Margo's Room and the Kids' Bathroom
- Renovations in Margo's room are incomplete, particularly issues with the windows that need addressing for proper insulation and safety.
- The kids' bathroom was a significant addition as the building initially lacked such facilities, demonstrating the need for adaptive reuse and creative solutions in space management.
4. 🚪 Preserving the Past: Restoring Original Features
- The refinished door, originally part of the school, highlights a dedication to maintaining historical integrity, serving as a tangible connection to the past.
- The transformation of one of the four original classrooms into a bedroom exemplifies adaptive reuse, preserving the educational heritage while adapting to modern needs.
- Efforts to retain the original classroom paint color, by color matching a section of the wall, demonstrate meticulous attention to preserving authentic details and historical aesthetics.
- In addition to the door and classroom transformations, other original features such as moldings and window frames have also been restored, maintaining architectural authenticity.
5. 🛁 Modern Comforts: Blending Old and New in Bathrooms
- Incorporating green themes such as sustainable materials and energy-efficient fixtures into bathroom design enhances both aesthetics and functionality.
- Modern design elements like minimalist fixtures and open spaces are integrated into traditional school settings, transforming them into comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environments.
- Examples include the use of recycled materials for cabinetry and low-flow water systems to promote sustainability.
- Combining traditional and modern elements, such as classic tilework with contemporary lighting, offers a balanced aesthetic appeal.
- Utilizing natural light and plants can improve the ambiance and reduce the need for artificial lighting.