Bringing Back the Bungalow

In Milwaukee, you can't throw a stick without hitting a bungalow. They're everywhere. 

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Our first bungalow

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My neighborhood is primarily bungalows. The cool thing about having a whole neighborhood of bungalows is that you usually know where everyone's bathroom is and which drawer they keep their silverware in. It's quite efficient, actually. I'm not an architect, but I do know that there are many kinds of bungalows, even on the same block: Craftsman, Prairie Style, Spanish, Tudor, Four Square, and so on. Most bungalows (in this area) have these characteristics: leaded glass windows, a brick or stone fireplace with flanking bookcases, large front porch, a dormer, hardwood floors throughout first floor, efficient floor plans and simple but substantial woodwork. I've been getting quite a few questions within the past week about paint colors for other people's interiors, most of which are bungalows. It's ironic that people would ask me for color ideas, since I am still waffling about a color for our exterior. For two years.  I decided, given the amount of interest out there, to begin a series on bungalows.  A typical bungalow layout in this area is entryway leading into the living room, which is open to the dining area. The kitchen is traditionally separated from the dining room by a wall, a built-in buffet, or a butler's pantry with a swinging door. These boundaries served to keep the entertaining space separate from the private space of the kitchen and bedrooms. Oak woodwork & flooring is typical in the living and dining rooms, and maple flooring is used for the bedrooms and kitchen areas. 

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Our first bungalow

The second floors of bungalows were typically left unfinished. My experience is that most second floors are a little wonky because there's lots of angles coming together.

I've seen quite a few people either turn it their second floor into a master suite, or a couple of bedrooms with an extra bathroom.


Classic. A sewer pipe smack dab in the worst possible spot.

A lot of young couples and families are buying up bungalows because our generation is a bunch of suckers for the charming built ins and wood floors. I think it makes us feel like we're buying our grown-up house. However, many bungalows haven't had updates done in the past 40 years or so, perhaps because the owners tend to live in their bungalow for a very long time because the houses are just that awesome. But after we buyers sign on the dotted line, we don't know what to do with the small kitchen, the wonky attic, or the general tired look.

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In this series, I'll give you, dear reader, some insight on insider questions, like the classic "to paint, or not to paint" your woodwork, paint color ideas, decor inspiration, and how to make your bungalow feel like a fresh little slice of heaven. Am I over promising?  Probably.  But let's bring back the bungalow.