Photos: Chris Emeott
A 1930s home is updated to take full advantage of its view of Nine Mile Creek.
Sitting on the balcony of Renée and Rich May’s home is an otherworldly experience. After stepping through elegant French doors, one finds themselves as an audience member to a breathtaking view. Water gracefully winds down through the landscape below, tracing 100 feet of Nine Mile Creek as it moves quietly past the property, framed by majestic trees and glistening light. It feels so secluded and idyllic, that one wouldn’t guess the home sits near a main road. All that appears to the senses is a sense of calm that immediately sets the tone for the home itself: an homage to the 1930s that is classic and chic, yet comforting as it brings the outdoors in.
This balcony is Rich and Renée May’s piece of paradise. They often entertain here in the summer or play games. It is one of the major changes that Jim Bizal of Bizal Built made. Bizal knew the previous owners, and had done projects on the home for decades. Before, there was just an old, small door leading from a bedroom to the outside. The Mays converted the bedroom into an office, removed the old single door and replaced it with French doors. For the balcony, they placed a large outdoor rug, invested in robust outdoor patio furniture and set up a space that serves as an outdoor living room.
The Mays, along with Rebecca Ryan Design, decided to remove walls and create a great room to make a larger kitchen.
Replicas of vintage chandeliers and other fixtures were added. When Renée May gave her friends a tour, one said, “Oh, how nice you kept the original chandeliers.” May says she knew it was a remodel well done when she heard that.
The Mays knew the house had a rich history, and wanted to honor its roots in 1930s decor. They made sure the home’s baseboards, floors and other small details were as authentic as possible to the time period.
The exterior of the home benefited from a major facelift, including fresh paint, new shutters and updated lighting as well as a new door.
The Mays looked to Unlimited Outdoor Services to update the landscaping to modernize the home. However, the perennial gardens were left untouched. Renée May lovingly tends the garden and is including more plants suitable for pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
Bizal Built
Facebook: Bizal Built, Inc.
Rebecca Ryan Design
Instagram: @rebecca_ryan_design
