The majority of the time, the exterior of a home matches the interior — everything you see is exactly what you get. But every once in a while, you glance in a window along with your jaw drops. That will be the reaction when visitors see Jo Vaughn’s pretzel factory turned contemporary living space.

It required more than three years of labour, but New Zealand native Jo and her husband, Terry, converted what was once a pretzel factory into a home that reflects their unique personalities and preferences. Frequently full of neighbors and friends, this home is true gem mined by the remains of an unassuming space.

in a Glance
Who lives here: Terry and Jo Vaughan
Location: Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Size: Approximately 2,070 square feet; 2 bedrooms; 2 baths
That is intriguing: This home was a pretzel factory, mechanic shop, lubricant factory and much more.

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From the street, Terry and Jo’s home does not seem like it would hold such an expansive space. It is easy to mistake it for a factory or mechanic. In reality, people still stop by for mechanic services once in a while.

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This framed “before” picture shows the first space, which most prospective buyers missed. But the Vaughns saw an opportunity instead — a chance for their optimistic, contemporary style to show off. They knew right away that it was a place they might feel at home.

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Indoors, guests are greeted by a brilliant crimson kitchen with midcentury styling. The combined paired Ikea cabinetry and pendant lighting found on eBay with a bar (circa 1940) won in a local auction.

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The light throughout the home nods to Art Deco, and most pieces are true originals.

Light fixture: eBay

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The other side of this kitchen reveals one of Jo’s “middle of the night” crazy thoughts. After spending a great deal of time contemplating where to place the stairs, she shook Terry awake at 2:00 one morning, declaring, “The stairs can go under the island!”

In a fantastic example of space preparation, the couple removed the existing stairs and inserted a new stairwell leading down to the upcoming man cave.

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In order to make decent use of the limited space, Terry and Jo cut in the walls to recess their furniture. Backed with glass block and fronted with Ikea cupboard doors, this cabinet provides added storage for dishware.

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Because the Vaughns entertain so frequently, Jo made a narrow table that is long enough to accomodate a number of guests simultaneously. The table legs once belonged to a mattress.

Chairs: Hershey Lodge Antiques; carved statue: Silverspring Flea Market

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Ikea CD stands added between wall studs create four storage closets in the hallway. Previously, there was simply a long, blank wall devoid of function.

The hardwood floors are first, but Terry and Jo Gently sanded them to wipe away years of dirt and dirt, showing the beautiful wood beneath.

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This living space, open to the kitchen, can hold a surprising amount of people for neighborhood parties. The space is totally decked out in vintage 1940s furniture and amazing collected decor. The velvet furniture with crimson piping originated from an eBay vendor in Boston and can be in pristine pristine state.

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Terry and Jo decorated their home with vintage finds, auction scores and curbside rescues. One of 2 working jukeboxes stands sentry in the corner of the living space.

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A vintage wooden telephone booth sits down the hallway toward the front door. Jo scored it at no cost and finished off the office area with a set of fitting vintage desks. She painted the desks a glowing red to balance with the red cabinetry in kitchen.

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The couple’s creativity even extends down to the cellar. Terry and Jo handcrafted this Murphy bed for their many guests.

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Around the rear entrance is a handmade DIY wall full of Fiestaware fragments, broken china and little cup grips which jauntily stick out.

Beside the cheerful wall sits a repurposed vintage washer full of developing spinach. Visitors are always welcome to come by to share in their harvest. Here, Jo and neighbor Barb select several leaves.

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Mint and various other herbs grow off the backyard as well. This is the only place available for planting on the lot, which is just the way Jo likes it.

The rear porch is a great outdoor entertaining area with plenty of chairs. Terry and Jo enjoy having summer parties which migrate from the indoors and back out to the deck.

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Terry and Jo are portrayed here as the few with their hammer and claws, creating yet another new project.

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On the face of the home, a mural by Monica Martin depicts all of the neighbors in this little haven of Hummelstown. The mural brings together the wide variety of characters living nearby.

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The colorful tiled home numbers came out of Jo’s native New Zealand. Small details such as this hint that someone spunky resides indoors.

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This full, unfinished basement is next on the list of home jobs for the energetic couple. It’s also prime real estate for more vintage roadside and finds rescues. Outfitted with a glowing red racing stripe, the space holds promise for what is to come.

Can you reside in a creative, converted space? We want to see it.

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