After a renovation is complete, the first thing people say is, “Wow! It looks so nice!”. Of course, everyone sees a beautiful space, but what’s more important is the functionality! In this month’s project spotlight, we worked with the homeowners to create new areas in their house that weren’t just a joy to look at but purposeful in their design.

Since purchasing their home in 2006, our homeowners realized that they needed to create more space! Their split-level home wasn’t providing them with enough square footage for everyday life with two children.

Before:

Just to set the scene, let’s go through the home’s layout floor by floor and what types of changes the homeowners were looking for to make their spaces more functional.

In the ground level (or basement) of the home was a laundry/mudroom (which also served as the home’s informal entry), a living room (which again served multiple functions, acting also as an office and playroom), and a small powder room. On the first floor was the family’s small L-shaped kitchen, dining room, and formal sitting room. The family could access their backyard from the dining room, which included a covered patio and porch. Up the stairs, on the second floor, sat the home’s three bedrooms and only full bathroom.

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For a family of 4, you can imagine how tight things felt, so we worked with them to figure out precisely what they were looking for in terms of functionality and space.

The first goal was to create a master suite. Again, with two children, it’s not hard to imagine needing a private retreat. The master suite would be complete with an ensuite bath, a walk-in closet for storage, and a spacious bedroom.

The second goal: create a new living space on the first floor. With just a tiny sitting area available to entertain guests, and the basement living area serving so many purposes already, the need for an expanded family room was clear. Not only would the new space offer a place to host guests, but it would provide the homeowners another area to relax, away from the cramped basement living space.

After going over the design, the homeowners chose to create a third floor for their master suite addition. The new space would still be close to the original bedrooms, but a small stair would separate the area enough for privacy. In addition to the new master suite, the new floor would also provide enough space for a dedicated laundry room. A laundry room right next to the bedrooms? Talk about functional!

The homeowners also chose to replace their covered patio with a new family room addition. Opting to add the square footage to the first floor’s layout would also allow them plenty of space to expand their kitchen and dining areas to create an open design and updated look.

Last but not least: the basement. The homeowners wanted to update their living space with new paint and flooring, but that’s not all. With the new dedicated laundry room on the third floor, the informal entry could finally become a dedicated mudroom, complete with built-in’s and ample storage, to make coming home that much better!

After:

Let’s start on the first floor! The new family room addition, which took the place of the covered patio, added approximately 400 sq. ft. of space to the home. What’s more important than the square footage? The elevated functionality and open layout of the room!

The new family room addition is an elegant, inviting space that helps the first floor appear significantly larger and brighter. Much of the credit goes to the room’s vaulted ceiling and warm Riley Ring chandelier in warm brass and leather finishes.

Down at eye level, the new focal point of the space is the marble surround fireplace, flanked on both sides by matching storage cabinets and adorned with a custom-designed mantle. Our homeowners wanted to be sure they included storage to store any day-to-day clutter, and the room would stay neat and tidy. Above the storage, you’ll find new windows to allow plenty of sunlight, and it’s hard to miss the elegant Arti Medium Sconce in bronze, which helps create a visual connection to the overhead chandelier.

A new glass door and full-height windows provide the new space with plenty of natural light and the homeowners’ easy access to their remaining patio area (where they chose to install their fire pit, genius!). It makes the perfect spot to eat a casual weeknight dinner or entertain during the warmer months with ample space and open site lines.

The next space to check out on this journey is the new kitchen. No longer an isolated box in the back of the house, it now stands as the 200 sq. ft. heart of the home. The open concept design flows seamlessly into the new addition with the help of a Statuario Silestone topped breakfast bar (which is complete with its own drink cooler).

As we mentioned, the kitchen’s design is a refreshing upgrade from its previous design. The Snowcap painted perimeter (from Glenbrook Cabinetry, of course) wraps around the entirety of the space, with a custom pantry and built-in refrigerator squaring off the entrance to the family room. The clean design creates a clean backdrop to the walnut-stained Nightforest island.

Speaking of the kitchen’s new island, let’s take a closer look! Not only does it have plenty of room for seating and additional counter space, but the island offers these homeowners ample storage and organizational drawers, perfect for keeping those new countertops clean and clutter-free! It also includes a space for the new microwave, hidden at the end of the island, to maintain a clean, cohesive appearance.

In addition to the microwave, you’ll find the kitchen’s new range and custom-designed hood. The stainless steel finish and the clean straight lines of the hood balance the unique, organic look of the Zaha terracotta backsplash tile for a balanced contrast.

Both spaces, new and newly renovated, provide our homeowners with open site lines, plenty of space, and elevated style. Although we could go on about both rooms forever, there’s a whole new floor to check out on this tour!

As you remember, one of the many functions of the downstairs living area was a home office. With the new master suite addition, the old master bedroom is now the new home office! Complete with a door and plenty of privacy, we’re sure that our homeowners can focus much easier than before.

Onto the master suite! Are you ready? With plenty of privacy, on its own floor sits our homeowner’s new bedroom and ensuite bath.

The expansive new addition provides our homeowners with a 600 sq. ft. of space (which is quite the upgrade from 120 sq. ft. if you ask us!). It’s complete with a sitting area, walk-in closet, a convenient laundry area, a spacious bedroom, and a master bath.

The master bedroom is complete with plenty of natural light and a style-elevating tray ceiling.

Onto our favorite spot, the master bath:

With their own clean, refined space (and a soaking tub), you can be sure these homeowners are having a much easier time relaxing at the end of the long workday! The airy design starts with a custom built-in vanity, full wall mirror, and beautiful Fremont Wall Sconces. The brilliant Emerstone quartz countertops add to the room’s bright and clean design. Across from the vanity, you’ll find the Loretta soaking tub, which, if we have to be honest, is a must-have when creating a relaxing retreat! All these fabulous features, paired with the warm Calcutta Gold floor tile make this one sweet little space!

We helped these homeowners make the most of their bathroom by designing the space with a glass-enclosed alcove shower next to the vanity. Adding the room’s refined look with honed Shiraz mosaic tile and quartz bench seat, this small space is the ultimate upgrade from their previously shared bathroom space. Sorry kiddos, this retreat is for mom and dad only!

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Of course, now you’ve seen the inside of this refreshed, functional home, but what does the outside look like? Fear not, dear reader; we have you covered!

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You can see the front view of the home on the left, with that all too important master suite addition! On the left, you can see where the covered patio once stood, and now the family room resides. Careful consideration went into the design of the new exterior spaces to be sure they blended seamlessly with the existing home.

Thanks for checking out our latest project! To see more images of the new spaces, visit us on Houzz.