In Gainesville, a Renovated 1920s Home Goes for Bold—and $584K

by Ela Zawadzki

In the city’s historic Duckpond neighborhood, two artist-designers brought Scandinavian maximalism, custom millwork, and whimsical color to a French Eclectic house.

Location: 521 Northeast 6th Street, Gainesville, Florida

Price: $575,000

Year Built: 1920

Renovation Date: 2023

Renovation Designer: Studio Blinky

Footprint: 1,962 Square Feet (3 Bed, 2 Bath)

Lot Size: 2 Acres

From the Agent: "Built in the early 1900s in Gainesville’s historic Duckpond neighborhood, this home reflects more than a century of change. In its most recent renovation, two artist-designers embraced those layers of history rather than restoring the house to any single period. Original French Eclectic details remain untouched, while Scandinavian maximalism, custom millwork, and bold color add something new. A custom wooden garden arch and blossoming landscaping frame the approach to the house. Inside, an original limestone and marble fireplace anchors the living room, while a bright blue staircase adds a pop of color. On the ground floor, a series of newly added archways connect the living room, screened sun porch, dining room, kitchen, and playroom, echoing the home’s original arched dormers. Throughout, built-ins add storage, display, and bursts of color. A tucked-away room offers flexible space for play, work, or reading. Considered updates—including skim-coated walls, refinished original floors, trimless lighting, and microcement surfaces—add contemporary notes alongside the home’s historic details. The renovated kitchen pairs Reform oak cabinetry with green countertops designed by Müller Van Severen, combining natural materials with a more playful sensibility. Three upstairs bedrooms and a shared bath sit beneath angled ceilings and dormer windows that bring light deep into the home. Built-in bookcases, a yellow stair-landing library, and lighting from Raw Color, HAY, Gubi, and others extend the design language into the home’s more private spaces."

The front walkway is framed by a custom wooden garden arch.

The front walkway is framed by a custom wooden garden arch.

Photo by BlueHour Media Co.

The original limestone-and-marble fireplace is still the centerpiece of the living room.

The limestone-and-marble fireplace in the living room is original to the house.

Photo by David George

The dining room features colorful built-ins.

New archways on the ground floor connect the living room, screened sun porch, dining room, kitchen, and playroom, while nodding to the home’s original arched dormers.

Photo by David George

Photo by David George

The kitchen features a checkerboard cement-tile floor, green countertops, and integrated appliances.

The whimsical kitchen renovation added Reform oak cabinetry, green HDPE countertops designed by Müller Van Severen, and a checkerboard cement-tile floor.

Photo by David George

Photo by David George

A side-room off the main living space makes for the perfect playroom.

A tucked-away flex space off the main living areas is currently used as a playroom, but it could also be an office, studio, or reading room.

Photo by David George

Photo by David George

A view from the living room into the enclosed sun porch. The bright blue staircase adds a pop of color.

A view from the living room into the enclosed sun porch. 

Photo by David George

Photo by David George

The cozy primary bedroom with dormer ceilings.

Dormer windows bring sunlight into the main bedroom.

Photo by David George

A yellow mini library on the second-floor ladning complements the blue stair.

The blue staircase pops next to a yellow bookshelf on the second-floor landing. 

Photo by David George

The second bedroom.

The second bedroom.

Photo by David George

The second bedroom adds color with its blue built-ins.

Colorful built-ins throughout the home add storage and display space.

Photo by David George

The smaller of the three bedrooms creates a perfect nursery.

The smallest of the three bedrooms is currently used as a nursery. 

Photo by David George

Photo by BlueHour Media Co.

The designers wanted to build on the home’s original French Eclectic details without losing its historic character.

The designers wanted to build on the home’s original French Eclectic details without overwriting its historic charm.

Photo by BlueHour Media Co.

521 Northeast 6th Street, Gainesville, Florida, is currently listed for $575,000 by Jonathan Mills and Sheila Blanco of Keller Williams Gainesville Realty Partners.

Chris Robertson

"My job is to find and attract mastery-based agents to the office, protect the culture, and make sure everyone is happy! "

+1(949) 777-5607

chris@brokerchris.com

26895 Aliso Creek Rd, B-603, Aliso Viejo, California 92656, USA

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