This 1983 contemporary renovation shows just how timeless an 80s home can be when its best features are brought forward.
The renovation acts as a respectful dialogue between past and present—elevating the home’s original identity rather than erasing it. Uncomplicated updates, thoughtful material choices, and a restrained approach allow the architecture to stay at the center, exactly where it belongs.
Embracing Light and Space: 80s Contemporary Home Renovation, Before and After
This space, originally designated as the living area, was notably unremarkable. Fresh paint, new flooring, and a stone fireplace surround established the room’s new foundation. The addition of two stylish niches with storage below, flanking the hearth reshaped it into a polished, contemporary room with a clearly defined area for gathering and everyday living.
Open Spaces: A Clear View And A Space For Everything
The designer maintained the home’s original open plan, proving that dramatic results don’t always require a full reconfiguration. Flooding the interior with natural light, the expansive wall of windows — an original design feature — has been updated with energy-conscious panes that preserve the outside views while enhancing efficiency and comfort.
Redesigning the Kitchen for Function and Flow
The kitchen now occupies what was originally a back seating area, allowing the awkward oversized island to be replaced with a more appropriately scaled design. In its place, a smaller island with a quartzite waterfall countertop offers a streamlined work surface that doubles as a casual dining and gathering hub.
The corner windows were resized to allow the counter run to continue uninterrupted, creating a cleaner and more functional layout. A neatly tucked-away culinary station was added to support an intuitive, efficient workflow between the kitchen’s key zones.
Blockbuster Appeal
The home’s standout original feature is the glass block clerestory window stretching across the fourteen-foot-high ceiling.—an impressive sight. Glass blocks are often dismissed for their retro style and viewed as symbols of outdated design, but they find new appreciation in this renovation. By embracing this much-maligned element, the house retains an essential part of its original character.
A New Focal Wall For Display And Storage
Previously, the cabinetry—designed purely for function—neatly housed the refrigerator and double ovens but fell short on storage options and visual appeal. By removing the appliances and artfully reconfiguring the cabinet wall, a refined space emerged, one that’s both visually appealing and beautifully suited for display and storage.
Modern Paper Houses – The Design Evolution Of Contemporary Homes
How did you like this renovation?
There’s a lot to appreciate about this modern paper house. One of my favorite features is the dedicated cooking nook—a clever idea for open floor plans, especially if you don’t always get around to cleaning up right after dinner. Not that any of us would ever let that happen, of course.
And then there’s the glass-block clerestory window, the home’s true standout. It floods the open rooms with beautifully filtered natural light throughout the day and remains a stellar design element decades later.
The designers honored the best of this contemporary 1980s home’s character and allowed it to shine through. Their choices feel thoughtful, balanced, and rooted in what made the house special from the start.
Sometimes choosing to let the original design speak for itself is what makes a renovation truly timeless.
Want to see more 80s contemporary home renovations? Check out my other “before & after” posts.
No Comments