How the Good Bones Team Revived a Tired Townhouse With an Eclectic Greenwich Village Aesthetic

After successfully transforming the left side of an Old Southside, Indianapolis duplex, mother-daughter duo Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk were ready to work their reno magic on the run-down right side. To complement the Chelsea-inspired vibes they’d showcased next-door, the team used an urban theme inspired by another iconic (and even more eclectic) New York neighbourhood – Greenwich Village. By embracing the townhouse’s city location and original details – while making the two-storey space more functional, modern and stylish – they created a chic, character-rich home.

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white living room with wood shelving and yellow couch

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Big Plans

Purchased for $30,000, the second side of the townhouse originally had three bedrooms, just one bathroom and zero outdoor space. While it wasn’t exactly tiny, the layout of the close-to-downtown home needed a revamp to make the space more functional. The plan? Using a $125,000 renovation budget, Mina would transform the space into a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home – complete with a clever detail to let in the fresh air.

before of wooden staircase in beige room

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City Living Lifestyle

While the townhouse definitely needed a major makeover, Mina saw beyond the poor layout and lack of backyard. Instead, she found plenty of potential for a property that would appeal to buyers looking for a walkable city-living lifestyle, lots of character and an easy, yard-work-free homeowner experience.

black-painted staircase in white open-concept living room

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Stepping Up the Character

The home’s staircase was in good condition, but it didn’t match the new urban-boho vibe. To preserve the staircase’s original charm and character, the team kept it as it was, but painted it a high-gloss black to make it an eye-catching focal point. For even more drama and dimension in the open-concept space, they added inexpensive wood-trim detailing (which they also painted black) to the wall under the staircase.

open-concept living space with wood dining room table and white kitchen in background

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Bright and Open

Before the renovation, the main floor felt cramped and claustrophobic. To let in the light, the team painted the room bright white and removed several walls to open up the space – allowing for a true dining area that flowed seamlessly into the spacious new kitchen.

side exterior of white townhouse with juliet balcony

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Fresh Air

Because the townhouse truly had no room for a backyard, Mina decided to channel a common feature in many New York City apartments: to create the feeling (and fresh air) of indoor-outdoor living, the team added French doors and a juliet balcony from the dining room. Made from the same style of spindles as the front porch railing, the balcony enhanced the home’s curb appeal, while an intricately patterned detail offered an eclectic, on-theme touch.

white open-concept kitchen with white centre island and black counter stools

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A Subtle, Stylish Mix

In the kitchen, Mina mixed and matched design elements to curate a funky Greenwich Village vibe – while still keeping the overall look clean, contemporary and fresh. For example, instead of using the same finish throughout the prep spaces, Mina used butcher-block countertops and a white-quartz island for subtle contrast.

close up of kitchen cabinets with mixed painted hardware knobs

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Eclectic Accents

For the kitchen cabinets, Mina chose a new-neutral light grey for a sophisticated look, while the cabinet hardware was a mix of different painted designs for a charming touch that played well with the patterned backsplash tile.

powder room with wallpaper feature wall and gold-frame mirror over vanity

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A Powder Room With Personality

One of the most convenient additions that Mina and the team made to the home was a powder bathroom to the first floor (before the renovation, there was only one bathroom, located upstairs, in the whole home). A mix of metallic accents and a bold wallpaper feature wall pack plenty of personality into the petite space.

pink master bedroom with hanging light and pink curtains

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Weaving in Style

The new master bedroom felt cozy and spacious with plenty of natural light. To enhance to the boho-city feel of the room, Karen took on two special DIY projects using jute twine. To layer in a character-rich touch, she created a woven headboard and footboard from the home’s original front porch railing. Then, to make a one-of-a-kind light feature, Karen used twine and a kid’s bouncy ball to craft an eclectic hanging lamp.

modern pink bathroom with dual vanity and grey tiled floor

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An Added Ensuite

By repurposing one of the small upstairs bedrooms, Mina and the team were able to create a master closet and an en-suite bathroom. The chic bathroom was truly spa-like and master worthy, complete with a floating dual vanity and elegant grey-toned tile.