OUR WORK
Whole-Home Remodel and Additions in Ives Woods, Ann Arbor
A cramped, closed-off mid-century home became an open home with room to grow.
THE STORY
What the homeowners wanted, and what we found.
WHAT THEY WANTED
A family loved their mid-century home but had outgrown its cramped, closed-off layout. They wanted a spacious kitchen connected to the rooms around it, a family room with a vaulted ceiling and backyard views, an art studio and a bigger garage. They also wanted to keep the home's character. The kitchen was isolated, the entry dropped guests right into it and the garage was too small to use.
WHAT WE FOUND
The kitchen was cramped, dated and cut off from the living room, which made entertaining hard. The entry opened straight into the kitchen, and the front of the house confused guests with several doors, two levels and no covered entry. The garage was too small to be practical.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
Two additions let us move the kitchen to the center of the home, with a new family room and art studio behind it.
THE INSPIRATION
The mid-century character stayed, right down to the original cabinets in the front living room. The homeowners wanted a modern home that still felt like theirs. A light wood island with clean lines and open shelving brings a warm, natural feel.
THE PLAN
A front addition enlarges the garage for parking and storage. That made room to move the mudroom between the stairs and the garage. A rear addition adds the family room and art studio. Together they freed up space to move and enlarge the kitchen and dining area.
THE OUTCOME
How it turned out
The family cooks, entertains and keeps an eye on the kids from a kitchen at the center of it all. The vaulted family room looks out to the backyard, and there is a dedicated studio for making art. The garage has room for parking and storage.
FINAL PHOTOS
The finished space.
AT A GLANCE
Turning a Cramped House Into a Modern Home to Grow Into
A whole-home remodel with front and rear additions.
Ives Woods, Ann Arbor.
Central kitchen, vaulted family room with backyard views, art studio, larger garage, relocated mudroom.
THE FLOOR PLANS
What changed, and why.
Two additions let us move the kitchen to the center of the home, with a new family room and art studio behind it.
BEFORE
AFTER
WHAT MAKES IT WORK
Three details that carry the design.
FEATURE 01
Putting the kitchen at the center makes it the hub for cooking, entertaining and family time. Traffic flows better, and whoever is cooking stays part of things with guests and kids.
FEATURE 02
Two additions do the heavy lifting. The front one enlarges the garage, and the back one adds a new living room and art studio while giving the kitchen and dining area more space.
FEATURE 03
The custom island cabinets are light wood with clean lines and a natural finish, a nod to the home's mid-century roots. Open shelving keeps everyday items within reach and gives the family a spot to display favorite pieces.
THE PROJECT
Turning a Cramped House Into a Modern Home to Grow Into
AT A GLANCE
A whole-home remodel with front and rear additions.
Ives Woods, Ann Arbor.
Central kitchen, vaulted family room with backyard views, art studio, larger garage, relocated mudroom.
THE STORY
A family loved their mid-century home but had outgrown its cramped, closed-off layout. They wanted a spacious kitchen connected to the rooms around it, a family room with a vaulted ceiling and backyard views, an art studio and a bigger garage. They also wanted to keep the home's character. The kitchen was isolated, the entry dropped guests right into it and the garage was too small to use.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
A front addition enlarges the garage for parking and storage. That made room to move the mudroom between the stairs and the garage. A rear addition adds the family room and art studio. Together they freed up space to move and enlarge the kitchen and dining area.
