Bertha Drive “Big Bertha” Restoration

A rare mid century modern gem located in New Orleans, LA that was in need of total restoration. The entire exterior of the home (including the roof) was failing / rotten and the surrounding lot was overgrown and neglected. Step one involved replacing the entire TPO roof (and subsequent supporting structure as areas had been leaking since hurricane Katrina). Step two was to remove years of overgrowth (in total 4 flatbed dumpster’s worth of bushes, trees, vines). Afterwards, the entire wooden exterior skin was removed, replaced, and repainted. (Unfortunately, numerous past owners had painted the brick and to try and remove all the layers of paint would have damaged the very porous, high limestone content brick.)
Painstaking accuracy was taken in exact replication of wooden detailing around windows and exterior wooden supports. All original exterior light fixtures were removed, repaired, and rewired. The biggest change after landscaping came with the addition of the pool to the rear yard. Selection and detailed installation of waterline tile was a priority as it had to reflect the time period and style of the home. Also, the home’s original flagstone rear patio was surprisingly in great shape, so the transition of “old” flagstone to “new” travertine pool surround was addressed in the intricate landscape design. Exterior renovations are now complete and the owners are content to relax by the pool for the summer before taking on the restoration of the interior.