These homeowners proposed the design challenge perfectly: “You can take the house out of 1989, but can you take the 1989 out of the house?” You sure can, it turns out, even when the project scope is for an interior remodel only, leaving alterations of the Minecraft-like exterior for another time.

Before the refresh, this home’s interior featured a full suite of ‘80s-era design choices: a curved wall serving out arcs of large-format floor tile, glass block windows, extra fireplaces in illogical locations, tubular railings (even featuring a lightning bolt accent), and plenty of tubular door and cabinet hardware. While it was likely quite on-trend in 1989, 30 years later it just didn't hold up.

In fact, the only addition to the home is a penthouse on the roof. Now, rather than having a home office in the basement, it's an office with a stunning view. Plus, moving the office out of the basement opened up that space for a kid-friendly family room.

By stacking the new staircase to the penthouse over the existing stairwell and using the opening of a former, large, pyramidal skylight, we were able to keep structural costs of the addition down, while gaining much-needed new functional space.

Beyond updating the finishes, the homeowners sought a more open, spacious, and airy floor plan. Removing the centrally-located, curved feature wall meant the main floor could finally feel unified: linking the kitchen, entry hall, stairway, and a former home theater reinvented as a bright and open dining room. Without adding any floor space, the house now feels larger, laid out for a more modern way of living. Full interior remodel now complete, the home feels open, clean, and modern — ready to face its next 30 years.