Located in the historic South Hill neighborhood of Bellingham, this classic home had great bones- a sturdy brick exterior with symmetrical façade topped with a hip roof. Inside are hand troweled plaster walls, mahogany trim, and oak floors. We were asked to sensitively update the kitchen, bathrooms, and replace the front stairs that were pulling away from the home. The clients wanted to add some ‘visual punch’ to the renovated spaces and stair. Starting outside, we saw the house as being vaguely Italian and proposed adding to its Italian-ness. Looking at examples of Renaissance villas, we designed a classic balustraded switchback stair leading to a front porch as belvedere. Inside, we reimagined the kitchen and bathroom in classic 20’s style, but with unexpected drama. The two main bathrooms are studies in black and white. In one, slick piano black trim evokes a gentlemen’s club. The other bathroom is a study in Calacatta marble, white quartz, and white hex tile.