Luxe Magazine
I‘ve been thinking a lot about this little house and imagining what she might become over time. I like to refer to her as a girl — she feels that kind of sweet and spirited to me. Lately the house has been hinting that she doesn’t want to stay quiet or hidden. She has personality and is ready to come out of her shell. I can sense it: she’s poised to transform, a bit like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon.
At her core this house has charm and character, and she doesn’t want to be stuck in a time warp or defined by how she used to be. I understand that impulse. It’s hard to move from what once was to what could be, but there’s something freeing about letting a place evolve.
Like a butterfly ready to fly, this house wants to shed her snug cocoon and reveal a brighter, more modern take on a 1950s cottage. Same foundation, but with more spunk and personality.
The previous owner told me that this street once buzzed with life — it had as many as 54 kids when the neighborhood was new. Back then it was a bustling, family-friendly block where kids played freely, neighbors gathered for block parties, and porches and streets felt like extensions of each other. I like to picture the house in that scene, happily participating in everyday neighborhood life.
I can imagine she would have loved a Dutch door even then — a welcoming, practical feature. Dutch doors were especially popular in the 1950s, and I can picture one where the kitchen opens onto the side porch, offering a friendly connection to the outdoors.
Coastal Living // Photographer: Dominique Vorillon
Can you picture it?
Can you see Jack — puppy face pressed to the Dutch door — letting me know he’s ready to come inside? I can. Lily the cat might prefer a kitty door, but the Dutch door feels like it was made for a home with lively pets and a welcoming kitchen.
Dutch doors are great for letting a seaside breeze move through the house, connecting interior and exterior while maintaining a barrier so pets don’t dash outside. They make it easy to call kids in for dinner, hand a cup of sugar to a neighbor, or chat with someone on the porch without fully opening the door. For a spirited dog like Jack, they’re a perfect compromise: fresh air and connection without the escape risk.
I’m excited to start sharing inspiration for updating our kitchen and to show more of the “before” photos soon. The space is compact but full of potential. For now, I can’t stop thinking about Dutch doors — I truly believe one belongs here.
Sometimes you just have to start somewhere — take that one bold step in the direction of change. Let other design layers unfold over time so the whole house can evolve its personality, one choice at a time.
Molly Wood Garden Design
Dearborn Builders / Tory Haynes Interiors – Photography by Max Kim-Bee, Styling by Erin Swift
BHG
Melanie Turner Interiors / Harris Trail
Farmhouse Country Kitchen inspiration
The small area just outside the kitchen door is already starting to take shape and will be an ideal extension of a Dutch door. I’ll share more of that vision and the project details soon.
I’m delighted by the direction this little house is heading and by how the ideas are starting to come together.
Thanks for letting me share this house and for your encouragement as she begins to spread her wings. Is your home changing or ready to evolve? Tell me about it in the comments or share your story on Home Love Stories.
If you’re catching up on my move, you can find all my posts about the new house and the video tour in my house category.
PS. A quick reminder: if you’ve been watching for book deals, there are sometimes one-day promotions on pre-orders and special sales. Those can be great opportunities to pick up a hardcover as a gift for the holidays, a housewarming, or other celebrations.
Related Posts:
Exterior front door makeover at my old house
Charcoal gray front door refresh at my old house