A historic home remodel in Port Huron, MI should protect the home’s character while making it work better for daily life. For this 1908 house, Union Properties updated the kitchen, bathrooms, porch, windows, and custom interior details while keeping the home’s original personality intact.
A 1908 Port Huron Home With a Clear Vision
This project came to Union Properties through a referral from a previous client. The homeowner was new to the team, but she came in with trust, excitement, and a strong sense of style.
The goal was not to make the house look brand new. The homeowner wanted to keep the original character of the 1908 home while adding a more eclectic, personal feel. That vision shaped the full remodel, from the kitchen layout to the preserved trimwork.
Project Background: A Full Home Remodel
This was a full home remodel that touched several areas of the property, including the kitchen, bathrooms, enclosed porch, balcony, windows, exterior details, and interior finish work.
Scope of Work
The project included:
- Kitchen remodeling
- First-floor and second-floor bathroom remodeling
- Enclosed porch and balcony updates
- Andersen window installation
- Exterior siding and railing work
- Custom wainscoting
- Custom shelving, bench seating, and closet work
- Drywall, paint, trim, plumbing, and electrical updates
As the project moved forward, the homeowner continued to find new inspiration. Union Properties worked through those additions with clear communication, change orders, and careful planning.
Project Details: Blending Old and New
The finished home does not feel like a modern remodel placed inside an old house. It feels like a historic home that has been updated with care.
Kitchen Design With Personal Details
The kitchen became one of the main transformation points. Union Properties worked with the homeowner on the cabinet layout, making adjustments to improve both function and design.
Key kitchen finishes and features included:
- Faircrest shaker cabinets in Fresh Sage
- Quartz countertops
- Engineered wood flooring
- Shiplap walls selected by the homeowner
- In-cabinet lighting
- Built-in charging stations
- Handmade backsplash tile from Motawi Tileworks in Ann Arbor, MI
The handmade tile brought color, texture, and a local Michigan connection into the space. The built-in charging stations and cabinet lighting added practical touches that make the kitchen easier to use every day.
Bathrooms With Character
Both bathrooms were updated, but each one kept its own personality.
In the second-floor bathroom, Union Properties took the room down to the studs and rebuilt it with:
- Walk-in shower
- Custom glass shower surround
- New tile
- Updated vanity
In the first-floor bathroom, the original pedestal sink stayed. Union Properties refreshed the room with:
- New tile flooring
- New trim
- New windows
- Wallpaper
- Original pedestal sink
One important detail was the egg-and-dart casing above the doorways. This trimwork appears throughout the home, so keeping it helped the remodel feel connected from room to room.
Custom Interior Work
Some of the most memorable updates came from the custom details.
Union Properties built wainscoting in the living room, custom shelving with a bench seat in the upstairs loft, and a custom closet. These pieces gave the home more function while still feeling like they belonged in the original house.
For homeowners considering a similar remodeling project, this project shows how older homes can be updated without losing the details that make them worth saving.
Exterior Updates Built for Michigan Weather
The exterior work helped improve the home’s comfort, appearance, and long-term performance.
Union Properties installed:
- 18 white Andersen 400 Series windows
- Cedar plank siding on the enclosed porch and balcony
- AZEK railing
- DeckRite outdoor surface membrane for the flat roof flooring
These updates matter in Port Huron and throughout Southeast Michigan, where homes deal with seasonal moisture, temperature swings, and lake-area weather. The materials needed to support the home without making the exterior feel out of place.
What Does a Historic Home Remodel Like This Cost?
A full historic home remodel can vary widely based on the size of the home, the condition of the existing systems, the materials selected, and how much custom work is involved.
This Port Huron project was estimated at approximately $70,000. Because older homes often come with unexpected developments, Union Properties works with homeowners to talk through scope, priorities, and budget before and during the project.
Challenges Behind the Walls
Like many historic homes, this one came with surprises.
During the remodel, Union Properties found horsehair insulation, a material commonly used in older homes. The team also found electrical work that was not up to current code.\
Plumbing created another challenge. The existing cast iron drain lines were bulky and kept the ceilings lower than the homeowner wanted. Union Properties replaced the plumbing and rerouted electrical work to help open the space and better match the homeowner’s vision.
These are the parts of a remodel that are not always visible in the final photos, but they matter. They affect safety, comfort, and how well the home functions long after the project is complete.
For older properties, the National Park Service recommends preserving character-defining features whenever possible while allowing a property to continue being used and maintained.
Overall Outcome: Original, Updated, and Personal
The final result was a bright, detailed, highly personal home that still feels connected to its 1908 roots.
The kitchen now has better storage, lighting, durable finishes, and custom design details. The bathrooms feel refreshed without feeling out of place. The porch, balcony, windows, and exterior updates help the home feel more complete from the outside in.
The project also reflects the way Union Properties works: steady communication, practical problem-solving, and detail-driven craftsmanship.
Planning a Historic Home Remodel in Port Huron?
Older homes have character that cannot be recreated. They also need a remodeling team that understands how to work through aging systems, original trimwork, custom details, and the surprises behind the walls.
Union Properties helps homeowners update kitchens, bathrooms, porches, windows, siding, and full-home spaces with honest communication and careful workmanship.
Learn more about our expert team or explore Union Properties services in Port Huron.
Ready to talk through your project? Contact from Union Properties today.