Panama House

Architect: Terra Studio LLC
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Project Type: Historical Renovation/Addition
Square Footage: 1,800 sq ft
Photographer: Jeffrey Totaro

The interior of this mid-1800s house was transformed in two phases for its active, professional owner. Terra Studio first renovated the upper floors, providing a renewed den and two bathrooms. Twelve years later, the owner returned for a total renovation of the ground floor. Her goal was to create modern, light-filled spaces with warm, natural finishes. Walls were removed and the layout was reconfigured to create an open flow from the front to the rear. The careful composition of space, art, and furnishings is the result of a successful collaboration between the owner, Terra Studio, and Carlo Fiammenghi Interior Design.

Vertical wood slats accentuate the entry and stairway, concealing clever storage solutions. Built-in seating forms a pleasant dining and reading nook, warmed by an elevated fireplace. A commissioned wire sculpture by Jill Bonovitz casts gentle shadows across the living room wall. The custom kitchen is designed around the owner’s routines with an island for kitchen and office work consisting of stone and wood surfaces separated by the smallest of stainless-steel backsplashes. At the rear of the house, an extra-wide sliding glass door opens the interior to the patio, allowing natural light through the home. Every detail of this efficiently sized house responds to the owner’s living and working needs to create a uniquely personal sense of home