When the new owners of a South Texas casita, originally built as a guest house for a Craftsman-style home in the early 1900s, sought to transform the space into a pool house, they turned to principal designer Julie Bradshaw and her team from Bradshaw Designs. The goal? Bridge the aesthetic gap between the main property and the smaller space for guests while preserving its original character.
The casita, in need of a significant renovation, suffered from structural damage caused by a water leak and questionable design choices of the past. To rectify this, Bradshaw’s team reconfigured the kitchen and bathroom, introducing a more practical layout. They also installed floor-to-ceiling windows to invite natural light into the space and chose new chestnut-colored checkerboard marble floors that mirrored the main house.
Throughout both the main house and the casita, Bradshaw embraced vibrant wallcoverings, fabrics, and upholstery to infuse personality and charm. A playful rabbit motif, which holds special meaning for the family, can be found in most rooms, serving as a nostalgic connection to fond memories of raising show rabbits in elementary school.
While introducing new elements into the casita, Bradshaw made sure to preserve its original features. From the tiled turquoise fireplace surround in the foyer to a beloved golden swan faucet in the bathroom, the team kept these unique elements intact.
One noteworthy challenge was creating a space that could withstand wet swimsuit bottoms. To solve this, Bradshaw cleverly incorporated a modular outdoor sofa upholstered in cleanable, durable Sunbrella performance fabric, encouraging guests to relax after a dip in the pool.
In the end, the casita underwent a dramatic transformation, seamlessly blending with the main property’s aesthetic while preserving its original charm. Through a careful balance of preservation and revitalization, Bradshaw and her team beautifully enhanced the functionality and aesthetics of the space while honoring its rich history.
An FAQ section based on the main topics and information presented in the article:
Q: What was the goal of the renovation of the South Texas casita?
A: The goal was to transform the space into a pool house while bridging the aesthetic gap between the main property and the smaller space for guests.
Q: What were some of the issues with the casita before the renovation?
A: The casita suffered from structural damage caused by a water leak and had questionable design choices from the past.
Q: How did Bradshaw’s team address the issues with the casita?
A: They reconfigured the kitchen and bathroom to introduce a more practical layout. They also installed floor-to-ceiling windows for natural light and chose new chestnut-colored checkerboard marble floors.
Q: What did Bradshaw incorporate into both the main house and the casita for personality and charm?
A: Bradshaw embraced vibrant wallcoverings, fabrics, and upholstery.
Q: What is the special meaning of the rabbit motif used throughout the rooms?
A: The rabbit motif is a nostalgic connection to fond memories of raising show rabbits in elementary school for the family.
Q: What unique elements of the casita were preserved during the renovation?
A: The team kept the tiled turquoise fireplace surround in the foyer and a beloved golden swan faucet in the bathroom intact.
Q: How did Bradshaw address the challenge of wet swimsuit bottoms in the pool house?
A: Bradshaw incorporated a modular outdoor sofa upholstered in cleanable, durable Sunbrella performance fabric.
Q: What was the outcome of the renovation?
A: The casita underwent a dramatic transformation, seamlessly blending with the main property’s aesthetic while preserving its original charm.
Definitions for any key terms or jargon used within the article:
– Casita: A small house or cottage, typically found in southwest United States and Mexico.
– Craftsman-style: A style of architecture and interior design that emphasizes craftsmanship and simplicity, popularized in the early 20th century.
– Aesthetic: Relating to the appreciation of beauty or the study of taste.
– Checkerboard marble floors: A type of flooring made with marble tiles arranged in a alternating pattern of squares.
Suggested related links:
– Sunbrella – Official website of Sunbrella, the brand mentioned for the cleanable, durable fabric used in the pool house.
– Bradshaw Designs – Official website of Bradshaw Designs, the design firm mentioned in the article.
– Casitas for Rent – A website offering casitas for rent, to explore more about the concept and style of casitas.