Displaying posts labeled "Church"

You all know how much Kim and I love a church conversion and this one is so pretty. In 1961, the town congregation of Glenelg, MD reunited and formed a new church leaving this landmark 1889 building abandoned. After a decade, a local architect purchased the property and transformed the space into a residence for him and his wife, a famous potter. Forward to 2012 and the building is once again neglected. Enter Stacia Smith, founder and lead designer of  Homewood Interiors and the church is given a new life as the design studio’s office and showroom. What a beautiful transformation. All the charm, all the integrity. I’m jealous. I’d love to have such a space to create. You can see some of the before and renovation pictures after the jump.

(Images 6,7,8,13 and 14 by Ashley Michelle Photgraphy.)

I do love a good church conversion. There is something about the challenge of doing justice to what is the often imposing, original architecture and accommodating the needs of modern living. This 1888 former Methodist church with its vaulted timber ceiling and beautiful stainglass windows has been converted into a commercial space at the front and 3 floors of living space. Unfortunately the striking series of white boxes and voids is let down in the listing by what appears to be a few sticks of furniture cobbled together to save it from being empty. My imagination is ticking over with what I would do to decorate the Queenscliff, Victoria conversion if it were ever mine. Link here while it lasts.

I am taking a quick kitchen-painting break to share this beautiful church conversion in Byron Bay with you. It was featured on the lovely Citizens of the World and is the home of Amanda Callan, Andrew Morris, their son and their side project Church Farm General Store. I absolutely love this conversion. The original windows are gorgeous, the space does not read too much like a church, and they did not modernize it (which often happens and the results typically fail miserably). It is perfect. More details and photos (by Dominic Loneragan) are here. 

It’s no secret that Kim and I worship a church conversion. We love to see these old buildings have a second coming. We haven’t found very many lately but the wait is over. It’s time to sing the praises of my latest stalking target. The little old church is a one bedroom apartment while the church hall out the back has become an open plan home with loads of light and space. Live in the hall and run a holiday let in the old church? My idea of heaven. It’s in Mount Hawthorn, Perth in Western Australia. Link here while it lasts.

Here is a church conversion doozie for you all, as we here at DTI love our converted churches! This link was sent by Beverly of Houston, TX, who thought we might enjoy this former church turned residences in New Orleans, LA. Now I have to warn you ahead of time of the hideous decor throughout the home (my apologies if the current owners read this – but they probably won’t because if they did read our blog they would know better than to do a pale yellow/red colour scheme and the master bedroom….well, I am speechless). Let’s just imagine the possibilities here. It is a breathtaking space, with massive open floor plan, live green roof to chill out on, and 3 1-bedroom apartments to offset the insane mortgage payments this $2.5 mil house will set you back. And the exterior is heavenly. 😉 (Link here while it lasts)