Before & After

Master bedroom and Porch Additions

Problem
The customer wanted a larger bedroom and a more visually appealing first impression.

Solution
By incorporating the new master bedroom extension with the new front porch the first impression was totally transformed. These upgrades added more living space and a welcoming social gathering area as well as adding lots of curb appeal.

Home Remodeling

This home is one of the 'original' homes on the street dating back to the early 19th century. A Post-and-Beam structure with all hand-hewn framing members, original plaster and lath, and plank flooring. What this home lacked in modern convenience it more than made up for in old world charm!

We were called when the customer decided it was time to consider adding some of the comfort and modern convenience that was missing without totally transforming the accuracy of a period style home. We were originally hired to install insulation in the exterior walls, new siding, and a few interior renovations. In the exterior demo phase we discovered some pre-existing and imminent structural failures and could not continue without the necessary repairs. The home desperately needed major structural work. Over 75% of the front and left sides of the structure of the house needed to be replaced! We pulled, jacked, shored, and straightened where necessary and where the constraints of the original structure allowed. We replaced compromised structural components from the floor system to the roof. Using modern construction techniques and materials we were able to re-construct and return this home to its original design in a much stronger and longer lasting condition. All the while working with and around original amenities like a masonry fireplace with a bread oven and the original timber-framed roof.

Finally with the insulation and siding installed, the interior renovations complete, and the structure intact, this home can breathe a long overdue sigh of relief.

Kitchen Remodeling

Problem
The customer felt the kitchen was small and outdated.

Solutions
Working within the existing kitchen footprint we enlarged the feel of the kitchen by removing the wall between it and the living room. We redesigned the kitchen 'work triangle' to capitalize on the new view into the living room. The bar counter provides a quick place to grab a bite and with the sink and dishwasher on the opposite side dishes are gone in an instant.

The column at the corner of the bar counter conceals plumbing and electrical wiring utilized by the new kitchen as well as a new support column for the beam replacing the pre-existing wall for support. The new hardwood flooring, cabinets, countertops, and appliances give the kitchen a modern and warm feeling that becomes very easy to live in.

Front Porch Addition

Problem
The existing front stairs were too steep and in a serious state of disrepair.

Solution
The new front porch incorporated a more comfortable set of stairs with a covered entrance providing a much needed measure of safety. The initial impression of this porch shrinks and beautifies the exterior and invites all to sit and stay a while.

Porch Roof Add-On

Problems
The existing front door looks "jammed" into the corner and awkward symmetrically. The wide and narrow window offered a poor view from the living room. The lack of a window on the opposite wall allowed no view from the dining room. The mixture of siding treatments made for a busy initial impression with no central theme.

Solutions
So as not to detract from the viewer's initial impression we designed an over sized beam to carry the roof load that would only require support on the ends. We also 'raised' the beam into the roof system to further conceal it from view. The new roof attracted attention away from the asymmetrically placed front door and centered the view. New windows in both the living and dining rooms provided more appealing and new views from within these rooms as well as the added benefit of increased natural light. New siding tones down and brings together a once busy look. The addition of a composite wood and cedar deck completes the new view.

2nd Story Addition

Problems
Needed additional and larger bedrooms. Needed at least one additional bathroom. More storage space. Air conditioning.

Solutions
Add a second story, Problems Solved! Three New and larger bedrooms including a master bedroom suite. Two New full bathrooms. One Large walk-in-closet. A new, grand central staircase with a balcony overlooking the first floor entryway. A new central air conditioning system providing comfort to all floors. Over 200 sq. ft. of new, full-height, attic storage space accessed by a 'pull-down' stair system centrally located in the ceiling of the second floor. We also installed new siding and roofing on the entire house to bring this brand new look all together.

2nd Story Addition'

After 20+ years of 'making due' this cozy little home left something to be desired! Two adults and two grown children were 'shoe-horned' into 3 bedrooms slightly larger than walk-in-closets. A basement laundry room only accessible from the outside. The main entry stairs were narrow and steep with no handrails. And the boiler and oil tank were both resting on a dirt crawlspace beneath the house. Finally enough was enough and the overwhelming desire for breathing room was the motivation for change.

From humble beginnings springs a new life!

By adding a full height basement mechanical room, a 2nd story master bedroom suite, a wrap-around front porch, and a minor re-working of the existing 1st floor plan, this family now has a home as grand to look at as it is to live in. To top it off, a view of the distant mountaintops from a large window in the new master bedroom invites the outdoors in, creating a truly welcome and long overdue feeling of breathing room.