A Fresh Start in the Highlands

A Denver bungalow gets a soulful renovation that honors history, maximizes space, and reflects one woman's new chapter, with plenty of timeless charm.

- BY EMMA DORSEY

In Denver's historic Highlands neighborhood, designer Marcella Domonkos of MD Design Co. was brought in to reimagine a 1910 Craftsman bungalow. The home's 1,100-square-foot footprint posed some challenges, but what it lacked in size, it made up for in character and opportunity. "Our client wanted more flexibility with the rooms and an open concept while preserving the historical charm of the early 1900s architecture," says Marcella. "The main priority was to create more space without adding square footage."

That meant finding clever ways to reconfigure the floor plan. Collaborating closely with the homeowner and architect, Marcella opened up walls to improve flow, added a powder bath off the kitchen, and enlarged the vestibule entry. "We focused on creating distinct 'moments' for dedicated living in each area." Space was tight, and the homeowner's wish list was ambitious. "The biggest challenge was fitting everything in, as the client's wish list really called for an addition," Marcella says. "We had to utilize every inch of the home smartly."