This ‘Vintage Craftsman’ Home is an Oasis in Busy Monroeville

As the owner of Shadyside Restorations, Cathryn Brandau and her team have worked to bring many grand homes back to their former glory, among them the iconic Pittsburgh mansion at 150 Stratford Ave. in Shadyside. 

Familiar with intricate millwork and banks of stained glass windows, Brandau says a personal move to Monroeville encouraged her to turn her eye towards another type of home — those with Cape Cod- and Craftsman-style construction. 

“I had been in the Shadyside and Friendship area forever,” she says. “When I moved, I decided to look for vintage properties to restore.” 

She found two homes on Monroe Street in Monroeville that fit her new interest and soon got to work.  Shadyside Restorations purchased the home in late 2024, and the team took their time during construction to preserve the charm that first captured Brandau’s attention. 

“The homes are a lot newer than I’m used to working on, but I really liked their charm,” she says.  

The two homes on Monroe Street sit next to each other; Brandau has since chosen to rent one, and list the other, 201 Monroe St., for sale. 

“We did an extensive renovation and preserved all the original woodwork and hardwood floors, which were refinished,” she says. 

Her team also added a new roof and a new HVAC system to the home as well as new electrical and plumbing systems. 

While keeping the time period of the home, which was built in 1944, in mind, Brandau says she did make alterations to the property’s layout to improve flow and function. 

“The original kitchen was too small by today’s standards, so we took out a wall between the dining room and living room and put the kitchen where the dining room was,” she says. 

A large, functional pantry with hookups for laundry was added to the kitchen. Rather than the standard white or gray cabinets most renovators choose today, Brandau’s team picked honey-colored cabinets with glass insets for the kitchen that tie into the Craftsman style of the home; they also added new stainless appliances.

Adding to the cozy vibes of the three-bedroom home are a charming fireplace and refinished hardwood floors. Measuring just over 1,500 square feet, the 1 ½-story home tucks its second-floor living space neatly under the roofline, where a primary suite adds flexibility not often found in homes of this size. A second, captive room is adjacent to the primary bedroom and bathroom.  

“The bath is lovely with stained glass windows and a double vanity,” Brandau says.  

The property’s one-car integral garage has been updated with a new door and remote opener. The basement also includes additional laundry hookups, a Pittsburgh Potty and shower that’s useful for messy jobs like bathing pets.

Outside are new concrete steps, an inviting front porch and a tiered backyard, all waiting for the next owner’s landscaping and personal touches. 

While working on both Monroe Street homes, Brandau says she enjoyed getting to know those around them. 

“The neighbors are lovely. Dr. Stacy is next door; she is a dentist and has her office in a lovely Victorian house,” she says. “The yards are large and there are deer that sit in the sunshine at the top of the terrace in the back yard.” 

Shadyside Restorations has listed the house for $349,000 with Nick Supik of Century 21 Frontier Realty, who praises the home’s quality updates and craftsmanship.

“The front porch and entry just draws you in,” he says. “It’s a rare vintage Craftsman with modern updates that maintains that classic Craftsman feel.” 

Brandau says her hope is the home finds the right buyers; while she envisions it as a great family space, the layout also works for single owners.

She adds the home and surrounding property are their own little oasis in Monroeville while still being located just minutes from every convenience one could want. 

“This home is located in the heart of everything,” she says. “It’s five minutes to the parkway or the Turnpike, restaurants and shops are all around, too.”