The Petersburg Pair
ARCHITECTURAL RENOVATIONINTERIOR DESIGNCUSTOM MILLWORK & FURNISHINGSREAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENTOriginally slated for demolition, this neglected historic Petersburg house was reimagined as two distinct residences, each with its own character and point of view. Taken largely to the studs, the structure was restored and expanded with a substantial addition, bringing old and new together through expressive color, natural materials, and crafted detail.
Each residence follows its own palette, with layered color, sculptural millwork, pattern, and collected furnishings creating spaces that feel individual yet connected. Original architectural details and the house’s quirks sit comfortably alongside contemporary interventions, balancing historic character with a fresh perspective.
As owners, developers, architects, interior designers, and general contractors, Studio Howlett shaped the project from planning through construction. Durable, hardworking materials meet moments of surprise, creating two homes that balance design ambition with the practical demands of everyday living.
Photographer Amanda Archibald
Stylist Studio Howlett
Press Dwell+ Magazine, Before·After Digital Feature
“It’s hard to believe this pair of prim rentals were essentially a teardown.
Studio Howlett’s renovation of a duplex in Petersburg, Virginia, started with a question: ‘What if long-term rentals were designed as thoughtfully as your own home?’”
- Melissa Dalton, Dwell+