1 of 6
Justin Fricke, Pixel Crew Media
2 of 6
Justin Fricke, Pixel Crew Media
3 of 6
Justin Fricke, Pixel Crew Media
4 of 6
Justin Fricke, Pixel Crew Media
5 of 6
Justin Fricke, Pixel Crew Media
6 of 6
Justin Fricke, Pixel Crew Media
For real estate agent Wendy Monday and her husband, restoring their Germantown home was never about replicating the past; it was about honoring it while creating a space that felt both modern and meaningful. The result is a space that bridges old and new with effortless grace, where every detail feels deliberate and one-of-a-kind.
Guided by a shared passion for historic preservation and sustainability, the couple approached the renovation as a collaboration between eras, elevating the home’s timeless character with minimalist, intentional updates that reflect their personal style.
“For me, I’ve always seen myself as more of an editor than a creator, which is what I love about working with historic properties — you’re not starting from scratch, but rather enhancing something with a strong foundation,” Monday says. “My husband feels the same way, but for him, it’s also about sustainability. He believes that preserving and restoring is a less wasteful approach than tearing something down and starting over.”
Sleek, minimalist furnishings pop against historic surroundings, aesthetically balancing old and new.
“One of the things I love most about this house is how the mix of textures makes everything feel so dynamic. The smooth, minimal surfaces play off the rough, knobby texture of the old brick walls in a way that just works,” Monday says. “The polished concrete floors juxtapose the roughness of the historic brick, creating a striking balance between old and new. Similarly, the clean, modern lines of the fireplace stand out against the textured backdrop, making both elements feel even more intentional.”
From creative engineering to artistic design choices, the couple appreciated restoring this home. T
“If we had tried to make the house look exactly as it did in 1880, it wouldn’t have truly reflected our personal style,” Monday says. “My husband and I prefer a more unfussy, minimal aesthetic, so our goal was to honor the home’s history while making it feel fresh, livable, and uniquely ours. We were fortunate to have a fantastic partner in our architect, Paul Boulifard. He helped us strike the right balance between preservation and modernity — keeping the integrity of the original architecture while thoughtfully introducing contemporary elements. It was important to us that any updates felt intentional and respectful of the home’s history, rather than simply layering on trends. The end result is a space that feels both timeless and personal, and it works for how we live today.”
The personality of this home is rather unmatched. The uniqueness is something to cherish.
“There’s so much character and craftsmanship in older homes, and rather than discarding that, we both love the challenge of bringing it back to life in a way that respects its past while making it work for the present,” Monday says. “As a real estate agent, I see so many houses every day, which makes it even more special to come home to a place that feels truly one-of-a-kind. There’s something really comforting and exciting about living in a space that stands apart from the rest.”