OUR WORK
Living Room, Wet Bar and Bath Remodel in Ann Arbor
Dark, dated rooms became a home that works for both family life and grown-up entertaining.
THE STORY
What the homeowners wanted, and what we found.
WHAT THEY WANTED
These homeowners loved the warmth and character of their home, but several spaces no longer fit how they live. They wanted a roomier kids' bathroom, a dedicated wet bar for entertaining and a safer, better-looking stair railing. The living room was dark and heavy, the raised hearth worried them with young kids around and the kids' bath was cramped.
WHAT WE FOUND
Heavy wood paneling, a drafty unused fireplace and a bulky raised hearth weighed down the living room, and the hearth was a concern with young children around. The entry staircase felt flat and didn't feel as safe or well made as the homeowners wanted. Upstairs, the kids' bath was cramped and divided, with dated fixtures, heavy tile, poor storage and an awkward linen closet.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
We rebuilt the living room's fireplace wall into a warm focal point with a floating hearth, display niches and a hidden TV nook.
THE INSPIRATION
Grown-up enough for entertaining, easy enough for kids. The homeowners loved their home's warmth and wanted it more refined without losing it. The original wood ceiling stayed, and ribbed wood cabinets, brass accents and playful tile bring it together.
THE PLAN
The fireplace wall got a new gas fireplace, a floating hearth, display niches and a TV nook with hidden storage. A new window brightens the living room, and the original wood ceiling stayed. The old dining area became a custom wet bar. The staircase got a sturdier railing with wood posts and iron balusters. Upstairs, removing the dividing wall opened up the kids' bath.
THE OUTCOME
How it turned out
The family gathers by a warm, modern fireplace with no bulky hearth in the way. Grown-ups entertain at the new wet bar. The kids have a brighter bath with room for their things, and everyone climbs a sturdier, better-looking staircase.
FINAL PHOTOS
The finished space.
AT A GLANCE
A Dual-Zone Remodel for Family Living and Entertaining
A living room, wet bar, staircase and kids' bath remodel.
Ann Arbor.
Gas fireplace with floating hearth, custom wet bar, new stair railing, opened-up kids' bath, star-and-cross floor tile.
THE FLOOR PLANS
What changed, and why.
We rebuilt the living room's fireplace wall into a warm focal point with a floating hearth, display niches and a hidden TV nook.
BEFORE
AFTER
WHAT MAKES IT WORK
Three details that carry the design.
FEATURE 01
The new fireplace wall anchors the living room with a gas fireplace, floating hearth, display niches and hidden TV storage. An old, unused fireplace became a warm, useful spot for the family to gather.
FEATURE 02
The custom wet bar turned an underused area into a place to entertain. Ribbed wood cabinets, built-in refrigeration, a bar sink, brass accents and display shelves make it handsome and easy to use.
FEATURE 03
Star-and-cross floor tile gives the kids' bath a fun personality. Warm wood cabinets, soft green shower tile, better lighting and more storage make it brighter and easier to use every day.
THE PROJECT
A Dual-Zone Remodel for Family Living and Entertaining
AT A GLANCE
A living room, wet bar, staircase and kids' bath remodel.
Ann Arbor.
Gas fireplace with floating hearth, custom wet bar, new stair railing, opened-up kids' bath, star-and-cross floor tile.
THE STORY
These homeowners loved the warmth and character of their home, but several spaces no longer fit how they live. They wanted a roomier kids' bathroom, a dedicated wet bar for entertaining and a safer, better-looking stair railing. The living room was dark and heavy, the raised hearth worried them with young kids around and the kids' bath was cramped.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
The fireplace wall got a new gas fireplace, a floating hearth, display niches and a TV nook with hidden storage. A new window brightens the living room, and the original wood ceiling stayed. The old dining area became a custom wet bar. The staircase got a sturdier railing with wood posts and iron balusters. Upstairs, removing the dividing wall opened up the kids' bath.
