The Best Church Conversions on Houzz
This collection of heavenly homes is guaranteed to inspire
Whether it’s a sleek modern transformation of a former Methodist church in Chicago or a candy-colored rehab of a stone temple in Australia, these churches-turned-residences have been touched by the angels of design. Here are four from around the world, each with a link to a full Houzz Tour.
A photo taken from the second-floor balcony provides a great view of the main living area’s layout. A sliding door below a smaller stained glass arched window leads to a backyard balcony. The entire first floor is covered in white oak.
Coffee table: Noguchi in walnut; area rug: Design Within Reach
Coffee table: Noguchi in walnut; area rug: Design Within Reach
The home’s entryway features exposed brick walls, white oak and herringbone-pattern marble floors, along with a pew that’s original to the church.
“The blue front door is one of the few things we didn’t change. It’s a shade that’s both traditional and modern, which helps set the tone from the moment you walk in,” Thelen says.
Marble flooring: Skyline
“The blue front door is one of the few things we didn’t change. It’s a shade that’s both traditional and modern, which helps set the tone from the moment you walk in,” Thelen says.
Marble flooring: Skyline
A resin bathtub, stained glass window and dazzling chandelier make up one of Thelen’s favorite vignettes in the home. “It’s really a picture-perfect space,” the designer says.
Floor and wall tile: white onyx,TransCeramica; stone resin tub: Badeloft
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Floor and wall tile: white onyx,TransCeramica; stone resin tub: Badeloft
Tour the entire home
2. Candy-Colored Conversion in South Australia
This 150-year-old converted church stands tall in Exeter, in Australia’s South Australia state, and catches the breeze from the nearby beach and port. Architect and interior designer Stewart Kirby bought the property in 2013 and set about improving the comfort and energy efficiency of the home.
Aside from its colorfully striped door, the exterior of this church-turned-home is in keeping with its heritage. The trim is painted in Wood Murowash by Murobond. The paint has a beautiful texture that suits the rough finish, Kirby says, and the color blends in well with the superb stonework of the walls.
This 150-year-old converted church stands tall in Exeter, in Australia’s South Australia state, and catches the breeze from the nearby beach and port. Architect and interior designer Stewart Kirby bought the property in 2013 and set about improving the comfort and energy efficiency of the home.
Aside from its colorfully striped door, the exterior of this church-turned-home is in keeping with its heritage. The trim is painted in Wood Murowash by Murobond. The paint has a beautiful texture that suits the rough finish, Kirby says, and the color blends in well with the superb stonework of the walls.
Off the living space is what Kirby affectionately calls the “library nook.” This area creates a smaller point of interest within the large open-plan space, helping to keep it from feeling vacant or cold. “The bright colors of the floor rug also remove any risk of the space appearing unwelcoming,” Kirby says.
At the center of the open-plan upper level is the bedroom. “While the space around me is huge, it never feels anything less than completely comforting,” Kirby says. “The dark, ornate timber ceilings really make this space feel like a cocoon.”
Componibili bedside table: Kartell
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Componibili bedside table: Kartell
Tour the entire home
3. Heavenly Heritage in England
When interior designer Gianna Camilotti set eyes on this converted historic church in Chingford, Essex, a suburb of London, it was love at first sight. It had undergone a sympathetic conversion in 2005, leaving Camilotti with a gleaming white space in which she could create a spacious home and office for her interiors business. “The architecture is so beautiful; I loved everything about it,” she says. “High ceilings were a must, and this building has those and everything else — lots of character and history.” Camilotti’s main challenge was to fill the generous space without having her furniture get lost in it. “It was such an amazing project. I had no limitations,” she says.
When interior designer Gianna Camilotti set eyes on this converted historic church in Chingford, Essex, a suburb of London, it was love at first sight. It had undergone a sympathetic conversion in 2005, leaving Camilotti with a gleaming white space in which she could create a spacious home and office for her interiors business. “The architecture is so beautiful; I loved everything about it,” she says. “High ceilings were a must, and this building has those and everything else — lots of character and history.” Camilotti’s main challenge was to fill the generous space without having her furniture get lost in it. “It was such an amazing project. I had no limitations,” she says.
“I needed lots of courage when it came to decorating,” Camilotti says. “The living area is a huge, open space, and a normal-sized sofa would have disappeared, so I supersized!” Camilotti has always had a passion for oversize furniture, and the generous proportions of her new home allowed her to indulge her love of extravagance. “The upholsterer thought I was crazy when I gave him the measurements for the sofa,” she says with a laugh.
During the day the grand dining table is filled with brochures and pattern books, but in the evening, it’s transformed into a glamorous dining area for up to 12 people. “I designed the table myself,” Camilotti says. “It’s a sheet of glass resting on two enormous wooden blocks.”
“The window here is so beautiful, I didn’t want anything to block it,” Camilotti says. “It has wonderful colors and shapes, and is such a gorgeous composition. It’s lovely to gaze on this from the living room below.”
Tour the entire home
Tour the entire home
4. Modern Miracle in Melbourne
When an 1892 Anglican church outside Melbourne, Australia, came on the market, husband-and-wife architects Dominic and Marie Bagnato of Bagnato Architects jumped at the chance to save the weatherboarded structure from being turned into a commercial office space. With old churches like it becoming a rarity in the area — the smallish designs can’t support growing congregations, so churchgoers are consolidating into larger spaces — the couple decided that converting the building into an awe-inspiring modern home would help ensure its staying power. “We wanted to preserve the architecture and retain the look but bring it to a 21st-century house on the inside,” Marie says.
With the home’s hundred-year-old wood trusses and ceiling and high-end decor, being inside it today is nearly a religious experience.
When an 1892 Anglican church outside Melbourne, Australia, came on the market, husband-and-wife architects Dominic and Marie Bagnato of Bagnato Architects jumped at the chance to save the weatherboarded structure from being turned into a commercial office space. With old churches like it becoming a rarity in the area — the smallish designs can’t support growing congregations, so churchgoers are consolidating into larger spaces — the couple decided that converting the building into an awe-inspiring modern home would help ensure its staying power. “We wanted to preserve the architecture and retain the look but bring it to a 21st-century house on the inside,” Marie says.
With the home’s hundred-year-old wood trusses and ceiling and high-end decor, being inside it today is nearly a religious experience.
It was all about highlighting the void in the living room. The monolithic fireplace soars up to 6½ meters (just over 21 feet). The standard ceiling height in Australia is half that. “It’s quite imposing when you’re standing there,” Marie says. The chimney has a black marble hearth and a plaster finish.
Leaving the limestone floor “lumpy and bumpy,” Marie says, and adding an acid-washed finish helped make the surface appear aged.
Leaving the limestone floor “lumpy and bumpy,” Marie says, and adding an acid-washed finish helped make the surface appear aged.
The converted attic-type space has breathtaking views of Moonee Valley from its circular window.
Glass walls fuse old and new, indoors and out, connecting the house to the pool area. The alfresco seating area is underneath a portion of the new building that links the two structures. The cabinetry around the stainless steel barbecue and sink is made of recycled wood.
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Room of the Day: A Great Room in a Former Church
Tour the entire home
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Room of the Day: A Great Room in a Former Church
Located in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood, this former Methodist church, built in 1901, was a dream project for a young couple who wanted an open, light-soaked home in which to raise their three children. Combining the best of contemporary design while preserving much of the historical character and architecture of the original church was the focus of designer Linc Thelen’s master plan.
The kitchen’s gas range is centered directly underneath an original stained glass arched window. The window’s frame is painted black. A large central island with room for five counter-height stools is wrapped in white quartz. “Adding a colored granite or marble to the kitchen would’ve distracted from the stained glass window that brings so much texture and color to the space on its own,” Thelen says.