Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Casual Glamour in a Traditional Pittsburgh Home
2 homeowners revive their 1890s colonial revival with a lot of work, collected finds and vintage treasures
After removing dropped ceilings, restoring hardwood floors, remodeling the kitchen and countless other fixes, this 1897 colonial revival has been brought back to life. Larry Crouser and John Bratton loved the charm of this Pittsburgh house on an elevated corner lot but knew they had a lot of work ahead of them. While the bones of the house were good, the rooms needed an upgrade. After four years of work, the homeowners turned this 19th century house into a sophisticated family home designed to entertain.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Larry Crouser, John Bratton, and their dogs, Levi, Rocco and Dolly
Location: Brighton Heights, Pittsburgh
Size: 2,900 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 1.5 baths
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Larry Crouser, John Bratton, and their dogs, Levi, Rocco and Dolly
Location: Brighton Heights, Pittsburgh
Size: 2,900 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 1.5 baths
Petunias overflow from the window boxes on their shuttered windows, adding a fresh element to the colonial's curb appeal.
The brick was painted dark red when the owners purchased the home, and although they wouldn't have originally chosen to paint the original brick themselves, they embraced the look by refreshing the facade with a pale but cheerful yellow.
The brick was painted dark red when the owners purchased the home, and although they wouldn't have originally chosen to paint the original brick themselves, they embraced the look by refreshing the facade with a pale but cheerful yellow.
A private backyard full of lush greenery is a luxury not often found within city limits. The owners opted for a landscaped backyard complete with flowering plants, climbing vines, stone paths, a fish pond and several cozy seating areas.
"I didn't want grass, because it's too much work," laughs Bratton, while describing the amount of time he and Crouser spend on the upkeep of their secret backyard garden.
Pergola: Sears; iron chairs: Pier 1 Imports; lion sculpture: Sam's Club
"I didn't want grass, because it's too much work," laughs Bratton, while describing the amount of time he and Crouser spend on the upkeep of their secret backyard garden.
Pergola: Sears; iron chairs: Pier 1 Imports; lion sculpture: Sam's Club
A step inside the original front door — which boasts a beveled, leaded, glass sunburst window — reveals a foyer painted in an uplifting yellow. Palm fronds towering above an antique cobalt blue Wheeling Pottery vase draw the eye up to one of the home's many interior arches.
Carved mirror, lamps: Arhaus
Carved mirror, lamps: Arhaus
Bratton and Crouser wanted the home to feel light and airy. They used cheerful, bright colors on the walls and fresh white on the home's woodwork and mantels.
A sunlit stained-glass window tucked in the landing casts a warm glow over the staircase. The owners restored the window, which is original to the house.
Paint: Custom mix using Toasted Wheat, Behr
A sunlit stained-glass window tucked in the landing casts a warm glow over the staircase. The owners restored the window, which is original to the house.
Paint: Custom mix using Toasted Wheat, Behr
Casual furniture balances a salon-style display of paintings decked out in gilt in the living room. This mix of paintings, photographs, vases and statues is the result of a free-spirited, patient approach to collecting. "It chose us," says Crouser, when describing how he and Bratton chose the art displayed throughout the home. "Our friends and family say they notice new treasures each time they visit," he adds.
Almost every piece in the home has a story. The floor-to-ceiling mirror (seen reflected in the mirror above the fireplace) was once owned by the Mellon family. The previous homeowners removed all of the home's original mantels, and Crouser and Bratton searched flea markets to find authentic replacements for the home's four fireplaces.
Almost every piece in the home has a story. The floor-to-ceiling mirror (seen reflected in the mirror above the fireplace) was once owned by the Mellon family. The previous homeowners removed all of the home's original mantels, and Crouser and Bratton searched flea markets to find authentic replacements for the home's four fireplaces.
Removing the home's wall-to-wall carpet revealed hardwood floors and provided access to these pocket doors, previously encased in the walls. Bratton and Crouser had the doors cleaned and varnished to a rich, glossy finish.
Striped wallpaper: Home Depot; dining table and chairs: Arhaus
Striped wallpaper: Home Depot; dining table and chairs: Arhaus
A set of luxurious crystal chandeliers add glamour and soft light to the living and dining rooms. The homeowners purchased the pair, which once illuminated the mansion of an Atlanta governor, from a local home boutique.
The dining room strikes the perfect balance between glamorous and casual. Striped wallpaper and comfortable dining chairs complement the vibe set by the living room.
Chandeliers: Dovecote, Ligonier, Pennsylvania; sofa: Arhaus; pillows: Macy's
The dining room strikes the perfect balance between glamorous and casual. Striped wallpaper and comfortable dining chairs complement the vibe set by the living room.
Chandeliers: Dovecote, Ligonier, Pennsylvania; sofa: Arhaus; pillows: Macy's
Their dining room is ideal for entertaining, which the owners particularly love to do during Christmas, when the house is decorated with a trimmed tree in every room. For the past three years, Crouser and Bratton have also opened their doors to others as part of the Brighton Heights House Tour.
Centerpiece: Artistry, Pittsburgh
Centerpiece: Artistry, Pittsburgh
"You can't have rules; they limit you," says Crouser of their design philosophy. This mantra resonates in the kitchen, which they've remodeled using salvaged materials. A barbershop cabinet was repurposed as a kitchen workspace and houses an antique enamel sink. The legs of an old dining table bolster the upright glass cabinets. Intricately carved corbels painted an electric green support the open shelves in the kitchen and contrast with the copper ceiling tile backsplash.
Corbels: T.J. Maxx; paint: Apple Green, Valspar; black and white damask fabric: Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft
Corbels: T.J. Maxx; paint: Apple Green, Valspar; black and white damask fabric: Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft
Originally, dropped ceilings plagued the second floor, and the owners have been working to remove the ceilings room by room. This ongoing renovation turned into a treasure hunt as Bratton and Crouser uncovered this beautiful arch in the den. The curvy lines of a traditional chair mimic this spectacular architectural detail.
Chair: Roomful Express; green pillows: Pier 1 Imports
Chair: Roomful Express; green pillows: Pier 1 Imports
A modern baroque chandelier and bold striped curtains channel interior design icon Dorothy Draper in Bratton's office. The owners layered the room with an industrial edge by exposing the brick above the fireplace — an architectural element that pairs perfectly with the owner's collection of Pittsburgh bridge photographs.
Ottoman: T.J. Maxx; curtains: Ikea; sofa: Arhaus
Ottoman: T.J. Maxx; curtains: Ikea; sofa: Arhaus
Damask wallpaper and a gauzy net cascading over the bed create a romantic mood in this guest bedroom. The iron bed frame is an old Pennsylvania barn salvage, and the wicker side table is an antique with a new coat of blue paint.
Damask wallpaper: Home Depot
Houzz call: Do you live in an updated colonial? We want to see!
Damask wallpaper: Home Depot
Houzz call: Do you live in an updated colonial? We want to see!
Lounge furniture: La-Z-Boy; area rug: HomeGoods; curtains: Bed Bath & Beyond