Photograph courtesy Revival Designs
Address: 5950 Lester Rd., Pleasant Ridge
Price: $449,000
It’s not easy to turn a timber tragedy into triumph, but Nicole Nichols of Revival Designs has done just that in Pleasant Ridge. Last year, a massive oak tree fell on this charming Tudor, smashing through the roof and rendering it unlivable. When Nichols first laid eyes on it, the roof was covered with a tarp, structurally unsound, and completely unsafe.
Photograph courtesy Revival Designs
The magnitude of the event was not lost on her. “What caused this house to need a full-scale renovation in the first place was likely traumatizing and sad for everyone involved,” she says, “So many people in the neighborhood knew of ‘the house that the tree fell on’ long before we got involved. I wish that event never happened in the first place.” This sense of remorse served as her driving force to honor the home’s history by restoring it to its former glory.
Knowing that this wouldn’t be a simple, straightforward flip, she partnered with seasoned builder Tyler Light, of Light Homes. The most intensive piece of the renovation involved removing and rebuilding the entire roof structure, as well as reconstructing some of the second-floor interior walls that had collapsed. “It was important to me to work with someone like Tyler who is well-versed in construction to handle these critical aspects of the project,” she says.
The extensive work did come with a silver lining. Because the roof shape and construction were being altered, Nichols used it to her advantage, reclaiming floor space that had been unusable under the former, low roof eaves. This allowed for the addition of an attached bathroom on the primary bedroom, as well as the relocation of the hall bathroom, bringing the total count to two-and-a-half.
Photograph courtesy Revival Designs
Other layout changes included relocating the kitchen to the former dining room space, and opening the wall between the two rooms, creating a semi-open concept from those areas on into the living room.
Photograph courtesy Revival Designs
Photograph courtesy Revival Designs
As she tackled each room, Nichols’s goal was to “honor the charm and character of this home in as many ways as possible, while giving it a slight modern edge,” she says. This ‘transitional’ design style is reflected in the paint colors, tile selections, and fixtures. “I wanted the home to feel warm and welcoming overall with just a couple moody rooms for some contrast,” she says. On the first floor, she livened up the powder room with deep color and bold wallpaper, successfully proving that even small spaces can pack a design punch.
A sense of warmth is felt in the original 1930s hardwoods that have been gracefully refinished throughout. For any areas that were lacking, Light sourced solid-wood doors that match the age and style of the original doors in the house. This extra bit of effort provides lovely continuity from room to room.
5950 Lester Rd. offers 1,700 square feet of living space, with three bedrooms and a bonus space that could be used for a home office, playroom, or cozy den. While all the cosmetic updates are beautifully executed, prospective buyers can take comfort knowing the home’s inner workings are rock solid, too. A full electrical rewire, updated plumbing, and new Hardie board siding have all been completed.
Photograph courtesy Revival Designs
Though the project was borne from heartache, its transformation is one of healing, and new beginnings. Nichols feels proud of the work they completed to save the house from possible demolition. “This beautiful character home got a second chance to be lived in and loved for generations to come,” she says.
Now, with all the former charm restored—and enhanced—5950 Lester Rd. can settle back in against the backdrop of its architecturally diverse, beautiful neighborhood.
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