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First Look at the Nashville Brick Cottage Project House

Peek inside this 1929 house in a historic Nashville neighborhood set to be updated for a young family craving additional living space.

by Jill Connors
Located in a historic and popular East Nashville neighborhood, the 1929 house will keep its original footprint and brick façade but will be renovated to give a young family of four the room they need. | Connie Chornuk
Nashville homeowners Adam Ford and Rachel Modahl.
Homeowners Adam Ford and Rachel Modahl, shown on the deck steps in the backyard, formulated their wish list while living in the house for nearly two years with their two young kids. | Connie Chornuk

Adam Ford and Rachel Modahl bought their 1929 brick cottage in Nashville’s historic Lockeland Springs neighborhood for its charm and potential. “We loved the neighborhood,” says Rachel, who was drawn to the nearby parks and schools and the many young families. “We saw the house as a fixer upper with strong bones,”adds Adam.

After living in the house with their two young children—now ages 3 and 5—for nearly two years, they decided one big renovation versus multiple projects over coming years made more sense. The plan? Expand the house from a small 2-bedroom/1-bath to a more functional 3-bedroom/2-bath plus 2 half baths.

Home Renovation Plan

While staying within its original footprint and keeping the main façade intact for historic integrity, the house will grow from 1,900 square feet to 3,400 square feet, thanks to an innovative design that focuses on radically reconstructing the attic and the basement. The first floor will feature shared living spaces: a large open-plan kitchen/dining room, a mostly untouched living room, a repurposed music room, and a new half bathroom. On the second floor, a large dormer along the back of the house will make space for a primary suite, two children’s bedrooms, an additional full bathroom, a playroom, and a laundry area.

Located just inside the front door, the living room will remain mostly intact although the wood feature above the original fireplace may change. The beautiful red oak floors constructed back in 1929 will be kept. – Connie Chornuk
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The basement will see considerable changes. Because the original foundation was in such poor shape, engineers recommended replacing the foundation. The house will be lifted off its foundation, the space will be excavated, 10-foot precast concrete structural walls will be installed, and the house will be moved back onto its new foundation. The increased headroom will turn the basement into additional living space and the entire house will have a new foundation for the next 100-plus years. Out front, new trees will be added for shade. In the backyard, a large deck will span the length of the house for easy indoor/outdoor living and views of the adjacent public park.

Husband-wife general contractors Javier Gutierrez and Lyn Bowman are tackling the Nashville renovation. – Connie Chornuk
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To transform their house, Adam and Rachel enlisted husband-wife builders Javier Gutierrez and Lyn Bowman—with This Old House documenting the renovation as part of the 46th season. With a plan from architect Kaitlyn Smous and a building team in place, the young family can begin their journey to their dream house.