2023 Historic Renovation Winner: Downtown Federal
Originally destined to be a smaller-scale renovation, as the design progressed and construction started, it was decided to gut the interior of the Portsmouth building down to the original brick walls, which dated to 1817. Awkward layouts and non-stacking stairs that did not make efficient use of the already small footprint were among the challenges. An existing stairway was widened to be more of a grand design detailed with an open balustrade up all three floors with skirt inlays and a beautiful sweeping wood railing. The five existing fireplaces were reworked using gas inserts, and uniquely designed surrounds were added to each one using period detailing. The construction details throughout the home were meticulously thought through for a cohesive historic design using color schemes, furniture and antique lighting. A putty trim color is used throughout the main spaces along with a grass cloth wallpaper, while narrow white oak floorboards received a darker brown oil finish. Older-style mortise locks were used for all the interior doors to incorporate beehive-style solid brass, chrome-finish doorknobs.
What the judges said: Lovingly restored and with beautiful details, this is a celebration of our rich history and a textbook case of architectural stewardship.
Read about this Portsmouth historic renovation here.
TMS Architects & Interiors
Portsmouth
(603) 436-4274
www.tmsarchitects.com
