OUR WORK
Whole-Home Ranch Remodel in Ann Arbor
A dark, dated ranch became a bright, open forever home: leveled floors, opened sightlines, every window replaced and three reinvented bathrooms.
THE STORY
What the homeowners wanted, and what we found.
WHAT THEY WANTED
The house was outdated and dark. The kitchen cabinets were in rough shape, the windows and insulation needed replacing, and a pinch point in the hallway made the main floor feel closed in. The hall bathroom was tiny, the primary bath and closets were awkward, and the mudroom wasn't doing its job. The homeowner wanted a bright, open home built around how she lives today, and one she could stay in for the long run.
WHAT WE FOUND
Leveling the dropped kitchen floor turned out to be the move that unlocked everything else: once the kitchen met the family room on one plane, the whole main floor could open up.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
We leveled the dropped kitchen floor and opened it to the family room, so the whole main floor finally flows.
THE INSPIRATION
Warm modern. White oak, clean white walls and inset ceiling light, with a few bold moments: a custom slat wall, a reborn fireplace and a guest bath with tile that has real personality.
THE PLAN
Every room got a refresh. The living and dining rooms were opened to each other, the kitchen and family room floors were leveled and the two spaces joined, and a narrow pinch point became a wide, wheelchair-friendly hallway for aging in place. Three bathrooms were reinvented, the sunroom's heavy dark paneling gave way to a warm wood-clad ceiling, and a hardworking entry and mudroom got custom tile and built-ins. New windows, better insulation and updated paint and lighting brightened everything.
THE OUTCOME
How it turned out
What began as a dark, outdated ranch is now a bright, welcoming home designed for the way the homeowner lives every day. The main living spaces are open and level, the flow works, key functional areas were reworked, and custom details bring warmth and craftsmanship throughout. The remodel was featured in the 2026 Showcase of New & Remodeled Homes.
FINAL PHOTOS
The finished space.
AT A GLANCE
Every Space, Reimagined
Whole-home remodel of the kitchen, family room, living and dining rooms, sunroom, three bathrooms, mudroom and entry.
Ann Arbor.
White-oak slat wall, reimagined fireplace with oak surround and gas insert, built-in coffee bar, inset ceiling lighting, widened accessible hallway, new windows throughout.
THE FLOOR PLANS
What changed, and why.
We leveled the dropped kitchen floor and opened it to the family room, so the whole main floor finally flows.
BEFORE
AFTER
WHAT MAKES IT WORK
Three details that carry the design.
FEATURE 01
A custom white-oak slat wall now defines the dining space and warms the open plan, giving the living and dining rooms a shared architectural moment without closing them off from each other.
FEATURE 02
An unused, dated fireplace was reborn with an oak surround, new tile and an efficient gas insert. The floating hearth came out, and the fireplace became a feature the homeowner actually uses.
FEATURE 03
A built-in coffee bar tucked into the kitchen is one of the home's signature everyday luxuries, with inset lighting and storage planned around the morning routine.
THE PROJECT
Every Space, Reimagined
AT A GLANCE
Whole-home remodel of the kitchen, family room, living and dining rooms, sunroom, three bathrooms, mudroom and entry.
Ann Arbor.
White-oak slat wall, reimagined fireplace with oak surround and gas insert, built-in coffee bar, inset ceiling lighting, widened accessible hallway, new windows throughout.
THE STORY
The house was outdated and dark. The kitchen cabinets were in rough shape, the windows and insulation needed replacing, and a pinch point in the hallway made the main floor feel closed in. The hall bathroom was tiny, the primary bath and closets were awkward, and the mudroom wasn't doing its job. The homeowner wanted a bright, open home built around how she lives today, and one she could stay in for the long run.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
Every room got a refresh. The living and dining rooms were opened to each other, the kitchen and family room floors were leveled and the two spaces joined, and a narrow pinch point became a wide, wheelchair-friendly hallway for aging in place. Three bathrooms were reinvented, the sunroom's heavy dark paneling gave way to a warm wood-clad ceiling, and a hardworking entry and mudroom got custom tile and built-ins. New windows, better insulation and updated paint and lighting brightened everything.
