One of the really big challenges is going to be the kitchen. It is a complete mess. It is, perhaps, the single biggest reason this house sat on the market for so long. 903 Broadway is a FANTASTIC location, and it enjoys amazing craftsman charm. But dealing with four square kitchens, which are notoriously small, means having to make some serious changes.

Gonna have to gut the kitchen for starters.

The space in the kitchen is clearly under utilized. Don't get excited about the tin ceiling; it is not original and as much as I like it, I think it may have to go... as will of course the appliances.

This is the back wall of the kitchen; my friend Bob is looking out the back door at the pool (Bob is always looking at the pool).

Back door and the door that leads to the pantry. Bob is asking me if he can get in the pool. 

As you can see, the pantry shares a wall with the kitchen and the back of the house. The linoleum floor will have to go.

And, as lovely as the below built in is/was, it is crumbling and frankly doesn't contribute anything beyond merely looking at it and admiring it as a ghost of something that once was quite beautiful. It too will have to go. Sorry Mom; you'll see the wisdom of this when you get up here. Perhaps we can repurpose the wood?

This is the wall in the kitchen that is shared with the dining room. I envision opening this up and putting a counter top with pendant lights (much like I did in the house at 505 Normal). With this open, the pantry gone and a bank of french doors opening up to the new back patio this should create a great, open space with lots of natural light that is also quite functional and beautiful. 

So, the wall to the right (on the other side of which is the above kitchen wall) and the wall straight ahead (which is a shared wall with the pantry) will be removed. Clear as mud. The structural engineer said I could do all this as long as it is properly reinforced with headers. 

A big plus is the half bath on the first floor which is located between the living room just down the pass-through to the kitchen. Gotta get a new sink, remove the linoleum and repaint.

           

OK. So now we get to some serious problems. The kitchen needs to be overhauled completely. It is really small, a problem for most arts and crafts homes that valued cozy, intimate spaces. So, I'm thinking about opening up the wall a bit between the dining room and kitchen.

The living room. It's pretty big as old craftsman houses go. 

Great crown molding and wood trim. 

It needs some interior design work but it will look fantastic when I'm done with it. The wood floors are still in great shape! The original french doors I also like.

Decided to go back outside to the pool 'cause apparently everyone wants to see it. Also this gives you a great look at the back of the house. 

I took this photo the other day when I met with the current owners. The pool is being prepared for closure so there's some debris but still mesmerizing to look at.

This is the other side of the living room. Not as sexy but there's a lot that can be done to the room. Mom has promised to help me out with how to arrange furniture in this rather narrow space.

And the other side of the front room showing off the woodwork of the stairs. The hall leads to the kitchen.

Here is the living room just off the front door of the porch. Really nice craftsman woodwork and beautiful tiling around the fireplace.

Here is the "new" house at 903 Broadway built in 1910. I hope to be moving in the first week of November. I thought that sharing these pictures with you by way of a blog might be a good idea. 

I am sharing the drive with the folks next door in the Tudor inspired house.

The front porch looks a tad shabby now but I am told that underneath the painted floor is original redwood.