Originally designed in the Mediterranean Revival style, this distinguished Winchester residence carries the architectural character of an earlier era: a stucco exterior, clay tile roof, divided-light windows, formal room proportions, and carefully composed interior details. Keri Murray Architecture was commissioned to renovate the first floor in a way that would support modern family living while preserving the historic identity and architectural rhythm of the home.

The design challenge was not to reinvent the house, but to make its existing strengths more livable. The first floor included a series of formal rooms with beautiful proportions, but the layout needed better circulation, stronger connections between spaces, and improved functionality for everyday use. The renovation focused on opening select relationships between rooms while maintaining the sense of sequence and enclosure that gives Mediterranean Revival architecture its character.

New architectural interventions were designed to feel integrated rather than added. Openings were carefully proportioned to improve sightlines and natural light, while millwork, trim, built-ins, and cabinetry were detailed to coordinate with the home’s original craftsmanship. Each update was considered in relation to the existing architecture, allowing the home to feel more open and useful without losing its historic presence.

Throughout the first floor, the renovation balances preservation with comfort. Formal spaces were refined for gathering and entertaining, while adjacent rooms were adapted for the practical demands of contemporary life. A lighter, more functional plan now supports how the family lives day to day, while the materials, detailing, and spatial relationships remain rooted in the home’s Mediterranean Revival character.

The result is a preservation-sensitive renovation that feels timeless, personal, and authentic to the residence. Rather than erasing the past, the project clarifies and extends it—creating a first floor that honors the home’s architectural history while making it more responsive to the needs of the people who live there now.