Personal Project | Home Restoration

Restored a historic home while working full time.

Richmond, VA has long and complex history. Founded on the James River, it boasts several historic neighborhoods built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I was lucky enough to acquire a beautiful home built in 1922 near the Virginia Museum of Fine Art that was sorely in need of repair.

Home restoration is romantic in concept, but messy in execution. You can always change the channel away from HGTV. But, to paraphrase Angela Duckworth, you have to stay passionate and persistent toward finishing the house, with little regard for reward along the way.

I could not be more proud of how this turned out. In two years, the property transformed from a 100-yr-old beat up, falling apart, rat infested hole, to a respectable place to call home. And, I did 90% of it myself — from plaster repair to electrical, plumbing, insulation, emergency roof repair after a ceiling collapsed during a storm, rebuilding the HVAC, woodworking, taking out a wall, flooring, period moulding, antique hardware, and properly designing a premium kitchen. It was humbling to work with & learn from pros. Usually it came down to grinding away at figuring things out on my own (and FaceTiming my dad to talk through some crazy idea).

It was a borderline maniacal pursuit of making something beautiful. Would I do it all again? Absolutely. Will I restore another house? Likely, but it made me appreciate crafting digital experienced in an air-conditioned office even more. 💪🏼😊