Fairmont Fly Shop Historic Restoration

The Project

A Fairmount transformation

Tucked behind a historic Fairmount home is a rare little piece of Fort Worth history: a third, freestanding structure measuring just over 100 square feet. Once used as a yoga studio, this tiny historic building was given an entirely new purpose as the Fly Shop, a personal retreat and quasi-retirement headquarters for a professional fly-fishing instructor.

Our goal was to honor the character of the original structure while making it completely his own. The restoration included reclaimed wood flooring, repairs to the existing brick flue using additional reclaimed brick, and a tiny wood-burning fireplace. A mini-split brought modern comfort to the historic space, while custom built-ins with a furniture-style peninsula created the perfect setup for tying flies and storing gear.

From there, the details got wonderfully personal. Ceiling- and wall-mounted rod storage, a vintage refrigerator, fish-inspired wallpaper tucked into the backs of the built-ins, a fish-inspired Roman shade, vintage rugs, and carefully selected bar stools all brought the fly-fishing theme to life without turning the space into a caricature. We collaborated with the homeowner to thrift vintage art and incorporate his collection of fishing-related trinkets and mounts throughout the space, while even carving out a cozy spot for the family's golden retrievers.

And then there's the pièce de résistance: a custom, Tiffany-lamp-inspired stained-glass chandelier bearing the words “Fly Shop.” In a project this small, every detail matters, and every detail tells a story. It was a rare opportunity to step outside the usual kitchen-and-bath renovation and create something purely personal, playful, and full of character while preserving a tiny piece of Fort Worth's architectural history.