Lock your doors, folks — we’re back with another house crash. This time we visited Diana Mathews in Richmond’s Union Hill, one of the gallery creatives we met at Quirk. Diana and her family transformed a condemned, century-old American Foursquare into a lively, carefully restored home three years ago, and today she shares it with three housemates. The results are impressive: thoughtful preservation paired with bold, personal style that genuinely feels like a gift to the neighborhood.
The exterior renovation alone is striking. Diana and her family revived original architectural details and added new features that respect the home’s character. A new stacked balcony and fence, complete with hand-carved accents crafted by Diana’s father, give the façade a rescued-but-refined feel. Classic trimwork and columns — some replicated by hand to match surviving elements — restore the house’s original presence on the street, turning a once-condemned structure into a standout restoration.
Inside, Diana balances restored historic details with playful, eclectic decor. The music room highlights exposed brick around the fireplace and a stacked bookshelf arranged by color — a striking, organized focal point that adds personality and visual cohesion. She carries this color-minded approach into other areas, like a neatly ordered DVD wall in the living room, which reinforces a sense of intent behind even small design choices.
The layout reflects smart reuse and thoughtful reconfiguration. Originally a classic foursquare with four rooms on the first floor, Diana opened walls between the kitchen and living room to create a more open flow while preserving one space as an art room. A bold apple-green wall ties the kitchen and living room together visually, while preserved brick acts as a textured boundary between zones. High ceilings and open sightlines also allowed for memorable touches: Diana repurposed her grandfather’s antique dentist chair as a whimsical conversation piece, and the home happily includes Bruce, a large, affectionate dog who fits right into the lively household.
Flooring demonstrates another thoughtful restoration approach. Salvageable planks from across the house were gathered and refitted in the foyer and adjoining music room, preserving pieces of the original 100-year-old floors. New hardwood was installed elsewhere, carefully chosen to blend with the rescued boards so the transition feels seamless and authentic. Beautiful French doors framed in meticulously matched trim open to a downstairs balcony, expanding the living space and connecting indoor and outdoor areas gracefully.
Upstairs, the restoration and styling continue through four bedrooms. Diana rents three rooms to friends and family, keeping the house lively while preserving private spaces with care. Her own bedroom blends antiques like a vintage bed and trunk with original art and budget-friendly finds such as an IKEA rug, proving that layered, personal spaces don’t require a large budget — just a clear design point of view.
Homes like Diana’s stand out because they combine preservation with personality: the renovation isn’t just a flip for profit but a committed effort to make a lasting home and enrich the surrounding block. The result is a comfortable, stylish, and resilient house that honors its history while feeling wholly contemporary. Thanks to Diana for opening her doors — and for proving that careful restoration, family craftsmanship, and creative decorating can transform even a condemned property into a beloved home. Also, a friendly note from Burger: please tell Bruce not to eat him.