This residence was a custom design from the 1970s. In that era, it was all the rage. The new residents had an emotional attachment to the home but wanted a full transformation from the 1970s contemporary wood sided home to a French Country design. Along with the style transformation they required additional space for their family. Three rear and side areas received large additions, one for a third car garage, another for the large family room and lastly one for a master bedroom/bathroom suite. Also the large expanses of roof were improved with gables and dormers not only adding aesthetic improvements, adding space to these rooms. The exterior finishes were enhanced by using stone, cementious siding and wrought iron accents. All of these materials along with the massing changes transformed this home into a true work of art.

The Keim residence was a small ranch style home in an existing established neighborhood setting. The Homeowners both enjoyed the location of their home but wanted to vastly improve the interior space as well as the curb appeal. Both Homeowners were avid hobbyist and required a substantial amount of space to pursue their hobbies to their highest level. It was also decided that even though both of the children were grown and either in college or recently graduated, that it was important for them to return to the “nest” and feel comfortable and have their “own” spaces. The existing home also had relatively small secondary bedrooms and a moderate master bedroom. So to achieve all of the items within the program it was decided to go up and out. A rear addition approximately 20’ deep the full width of the home along with and a side extension of the bedroom wing was added. The existing roof was also removed and replaced with a stick framed and vaulted second story tucked up within the new roof space. Dormers to allow much needed light into these spaces were also added.

This two-story home located in the quaint town of Catonsville, MD is reminiscent of the bungalow or craftsman style. It has a full front porch, cedar shake siding and accent brackets on the gables, is and was originally built in 1915. Unfortunately the siding was deteriorating, decorative shutters had been added, the porch had an obtrusive addition placed in the corner of it and the accent brackets at the gables had been covered in aluminum siding. It was in dire need of refurbishment. The prospective homeowners had set up a meeting for their real estate agent and our firm to meet at the home prior to purchasing it to evaluate if the home had the “good bones” necessary to undergo a renovation and addition. It was almost overwhelming at this first meeting for the homeowners to consider such a substantial purchase, to then turn around and destroy it. As a team we determined it was a good candidate for a full home remodel and addition. The rear was extended approximately 18 feet on all levels and provided the space to expand the kitchen add a family room, laundry and powder room on the first floor with side access from the parking area for the family without having to travel through the front door. During the remodel, the porch addition was removed, the shake siding repaired, repainted and enhanced, the applied shutters were removed and a more appropriate trim was added along with new windows around the entire home. The aluminum siding was removed from the brackets exposing a nicely detailed curved pattern that was then replicated for the rear extension. Every room underwent a refurbishment, wall paper removed, paint stripped, wood flooring revealed, most of which the homeowners did themselves. The second floor addition provided the space for the master suite and a separate master bath. The hall bath was previously located at the center rear of the existing home which was small and out of date. Since all substantial amount of space was being added to the second floor it made sense to borrow part of the existing rear bedroom and convert that to the new hall bath. When all was said and done, the home had regained it’s original sparkle, the old and new spaces were updated and open like the new homes of today and they still maintained the charm and character of a turn of the century home.

The primary structure was built in 1977 on a partially wooded 3.34 acres lot in Highland, Maryland. This home was purchased in 2004, by a family who had recently built a large custom home but found its spaces to be too overwhelming and impersonal. After careful consideration of undertaking a project of this scale, they set out to renovate this home by restyling and altering spaces to welcome rather than overwhelm. The interior of the house was gutted and a significant addition was constructed to the right side and rear. The casual charm of this French Country house would be rehabilitated to combine old world elegance with new comfortable interiors. The aim of the project was to create cohesive, flowing spaces that were also usable and efficient, while maintaining the character and style. This was achieved through creative design efforts. The charm of the original structure had merit and gave the owners and architect vision to salvage the plan. By rehabilitating some French Country elements, the house regains its sense of elegance. The goal of the project was met in its ability for the significant addition and new elements to fit the mass and resemble the original house design so well, that it is difficult to detect it was not part of the original house design. Overall, this project provided the necessary means to impress and entertain as well as provide the creature comforts the owners desired from their home.