Functional design makes a small home live large

Renovating older homes with an awareness of functional design and quality finishes is becoming more and more important to homeowners.  A small home is kinder to our planet by using fewer natural resources in construction and requires less energy for heating and cooling.  A well designed small home generally requires less maintenance and feels cozier.  These features are very popular with the baby boomers and eco boomers.

The owners of this small 90 year old home purposefully chose living in a small home in a well established  and convenient neighborhood of larger homes.  Their goal in purchasing a home was to direct their money to quality and comfort and be able to afford the extra touches that are becoming more and more important to smaller families.

This home at 7496 Teasdale in the University Hills area of University city spoke to their creative and energy conscious design ideas.  They recognized that the first floor could be reconfigured into a very usable space by removing a wall between the kitchen and the dining room.  Here is the before:

Now the kitchen and dining room are open and light.  They are used every day by the family and no eating in the living area.  Also the kitchen door leads to a nice screened porch that is great for additional outdoor living space during most of the year. 

Partially due to the size of the home, this couple was able to spend more of their budget on quality items for the finishes:  porcelain tile floor, glass tile backsplash, quartz counters, stainless appliances and a custom built bamboo wine cabinet.

The home had a 50 year roof and newer argon filled insulated windows when they purchased it but they added more energy saving features:  new energy efficient hvac, tankless hot water heater and layers of blown-in insulation in the attic and walls throughout the house.  They also installed an automatic solar powered gate into the back yard, a rain barrel and an irrigated garden. 

Living large in small homes is a matter of well designed floor plans and abundant and strategic storage spaces that keep the owner's stuff out of sight.

The owners of 7496 Teasdale in University City MO are being transferred with their job and the home is now on the market for $290,000 - a very affordable price.

Slideshow for 7496 Teasdale

Unique Needs/Unique Solutions - Respecting Individuality
Barb Heise
Keller Williams Realty STL
(314) 677-6046
www.BarbaraHeise.com

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