1963 Arts + Crafts Home

My name is Michelle Finnigan Drew, I have owned and operated an interior design business, Drew Designs, in Omaha, Nebraska for over 20 years. I'm reaching out because I have a ranch house remodel that I believe would appeal to your readers.

My clients purchased a home featured in Better Homes & Gardens in 1963. These clients are Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiasts so we were very intentional about incorporating arts and crafts aspects while remodeling the space to make it functional for their contemporary lifestyle.

This year marks 60 years since photos of the house were originally published. I felt the project might be an interesting way to look at interior and architectural trends and timelines.

I've yet to have professional photos taken of the renovation, but would be happy to do so if this is something your team would be interested in.

As you can see, the original plan had a doorway on the right where you entered the kitchen from the entryway. We created a center opening flanked with a partial brick wall that matches the fireplace brick (we continued this in the stove backsplash as well) and topped it with wood columns containing arts and crafts elements. We also added the molding detail to the ceilings, walls, and windows. The 10-foot island replaced the pass-through cabinetry in the original kitchen. The large island, along with the built-in banquette and second dining table option in the center, makes this kitchen much more functional and comfortable for this family. We also kept a small sitting area as a nod to the original plan.