OUR WORK
Addition & Interior Remodel in Ann Arbor
A living room addition, a rebuilt fireplace and a custom window wall turned a cramped ranch into a bright home built for everyday life and entertaining.
THE STORY
What the homeowners wanted, and what we found.
WHAT THEY WANTED
The homeowners wanted a home that could finally accommodate their day-to-day life and their love of entertaining. Ample light and unobstructed views to the outside were non-negotiable. Beyond the living room, they hoped for a layout that felt more functional overall: a real storage solution, a proper spot for guests to land at the entry, and a bedroom and bathroom that could comfortably fit everyday furniture and routines.
WHAT WE FOUND
Opening the walls for the addition revealed an existing, long-enclosed fireplace. Rather than cover it again, the team rebuilt it as the defining feature of the new living room.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
We pushed the living room into the backyard and moved the office, so every room could finally be the right size.
THE INSPIRATION
Scandinavian-inspired midcentury modern. Light Douglas fir, clean aluminum window frames, red brick and a vaulted wood ceiling that reads like a chalet, kept minimal so the light and the view do the work.
THE PLAN
The plan reworked the layout to solve each problem in turn: a living room addition into the backyard, the office relocated to the former dining room, an expanded primary bedroom, a new pantry-mudroom combination at the entry, and a refreshed bathroom. Moving the office freed its original space to become the mudroom-pantry while also allowing the primary bedroom to grow. Removing a hallway closet made room for a separate shower and tub along with a larger vanity. Throughout, the design pays homage to the homeowners' Scandinavian roots while showcasing their modern style.
THE OUTCOME
How it turned out
A once-cramped home is now a bright, welcoming space designed for everyday living and entertaining. The living room addition creates more room to gather, while the window wall, vaulted wood ceiling and rebuilt brick fireplace bring warmth, natural light and a Scandinavian-inspired midcentury feel. The entry has a proper landing spot, the kitchen has its storage back, and the bedroom and bathroom finally fit the way the family lives.
FINAL PHOTOS
The finished space.
AT A GLANCE
A Cramped Interior Becomes a Bright, Welcoming Home
Living room addition with an interior remodel of the kitchen, bathroom, primary bedroom and entry.
Ann Arbor.
Custom aluminum and Douglas fir window wall, vaulted Douglas fir ceiling, rebuilt red-brick fireplace with metal mantel, pantry-mudroom at the entry, separate shower and tub.
THE FLOOR PLANS
What changed, and why.
We pushed the living room into the backyard and moved the office, so every room could finally be the right size.
BEFORE
AFTER
WHAT MAKES IT WORK
Three details that carry the design.
FEATURE 01
The remodel transformed the bathroom into a more functional, flexible space. A separate shower and tub let different household members follow their own routines, while still leaving room for the family dog.
FEATURE 02
Opening the walls for the addition revealed an existing, long-enclosed fireplace. Rebuilding it became a defining feature of the living room, bringing warmth and visual continuity between the dining and living areas. Red brick paired with a metal mantel gives it a striking, modern edge.
FEATURE 03
The standout feature is the custom window wall. Framed in aluminum and Douglas fir, its clean lines reinforce the home's minimalist midcentury modern aesthetic, while the expansive windows draw the eye up to a vaulted Douglas fir ceiling reminiscent of a Scandinavian chalet. The added square footage opens the living room into a space built for entertaining.
THE PROJECT
A Cramped Interior Becomes a Bright, Welcoming Home
AT A GLANCE
Living room addition with an interior remodel of the kitchen, bathroom, primary bedroom and entry.
Ann Arbor.
Custom aluminum and Douglas fir window wall, vaulted Douglas fir ceiling, rebuilt red-brick fireplace with metal mantel, pantry-mudroom at the entry, separate shower and tub.
THE STORY
The homeowners wanted a home that could finally accommodate their day-to-day life and their love of entertaining. Ample light and unobstructed views to the outside were non-negotiable. Beyond the living room, they hoped for a layout that felt more functional overall: a real storage solution, a proper spot for guests to land at the entry, and a bedroom and bathroom that could comfortably fit everyday furniture and routines.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
The plan reworked the layout to solve each problem in turn: a living room addition into the backyard, the office relocated to the former dining room, an expanded primary bedroom, a new pantry-mudroom combination at the entry, and a refreshed bathroom. Moving the office freed its original space to become the mudroom-pantry while also allowing the primary bedroom to grow. Removing a hallway closet made room for a separate shower and tub along with a larger vanity. Throughout, the design pays homage to the homeowners' Scandinavian roots while showcasing their modern style.
