2013 NARI CAPITAL COTY, GRAND AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL ADDITION UNDER $100,000 The homeowner purchased this Falls Church rambler in 1983. Built near the end of World War II, it had a very tight floor plan, including a 6’ x 12’ galley kitchen and a 6’ x 9’ dining room. After living in it for nearly 30 years without doing a significant remodel, he decided it was time to expand the entire first floor and include a gourmet kitchen. The first step was to remove the back load bearing wall and to add a 12’ x 24’ addition. The old galley kitchen was then combined with the old dining room to create a spacious, more comfortable dining room. The addition would contain the new kitchen and a den. A key focal point of the new kitchen is a large island that seats three and lets the owner, a culinary chef, entertain guests while he cooks. Light-colored custom wood cabinets with dark granite countertops are complemented by professional-quality stainless steel appliances and a stunning stainless steel backsplash. Additionally, the kitchen is open to the new den area, giving breadth to the overall floor plan. Amenities of the addition include a 12-foot vaulted ceiling, surround sound, recess lights, palladium windows and a large bay window below the kitchen sink. The new design really lets in a lot of natural light. And because the addition is built to modern insulating standards, the addition is much warmer than the rest of the house. The end result of the project is a renovation that offers a seamless connection between the new addition and the old home, inside and out. Plus, the homeowner has his dream kitchen to serve his family and friends gourmet meals.

2013 NARI CAPITAL COTY, GRAND AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL ADDITION UNDER $100,000 The homeowner purchased this Falls Church rambler in 1983. Built near the end of World War II, it had a very tight floor plan, including a 6’ x 12’ galley kitchen and a 6’ x 9’ dining room. After living in it for nearly 30 years without doing a significant remodel, he decided it was time to expand the entire first floor and include a gourmet kitchen. The first step was to remove the back load bearing wall and to add a 12’ x 24’ addition. The old galley kitchen was then combined with the old dining room to create a spacious, more comfortable dining room. The addition would contain the new kitchen and a den. A key focal point of the new kitchen is a large island that seats three and lets the owner, a culinary chef, entertain guests while he cooks. Light-colored custom wood cabinets with dark granite countertops are complemented by professional-quality stainless steel appliances and a stunning stainless steel backsplash. Additionally, the kitchen is open to the new den area, giving breadth to the overall floor plan. Amenities of the addition include a 12-foot vaulted ceiling, surround sound, recess lights, palladium windows and a large bay window below the kitchen sink. The new design really lets in a lot of natural light. And because the addition is built to modern insulating standards, the addition is much warmer than the rest of the house. The end result of the project is a renovation that offers a seamless connection between the new addition and the old home, inside and out. Plus, the homeowner has his dream kitchen to serve his family and friends gourmet meals.

Transform your home with a beautiful & functional addition. We're experts in home expansion, serving Saint Augustine Fl/Region, with creative designs & reliable construction. More space, increased value, & enhanced living

We designed an addition to this farmhouse from the 1730's to include the new kitchen, expanded mudroom and relocated laundry room. The kitchen features an abundance of countertop and island space, island seating, a farmhouse sink, custom walnut cabinetry and floating shelves, a breakfast nook with built-in bench seating and porcelain tile flooring.

Home is where the heart is for this family and not surprisingly, a much needed mudroom entrance for their teenage boys and a soothing master suite to escape from everyday life are at the heart of this home renovation. With some small interior modifications and a 6′ x 20′ addition, MainStreet Design Build was able to create the perfect space this family had been hoping for. In the original layout, the side entry of the home converged directly on the laundry room, which opened up into the family room. This unappealing room configuration created a difficult traffic pattern across carpeted flooring to the rest of the home. Additionally, the garage entry came in from a separate entrance near the powder room and basement, which also lead directly into the family room. With the new addition, all traffic was directed through the new mudroom, providing both locker and closet storage for outerwear before entering the family room. In the newly remodeled family room space, MainStreet Design Build removed the old side entry door wall and made a game area with French sliding doors that opens directly into the backyard patio. On the second floor, the addition made it possible to expand and re-design the master bath and bedroom. The new bedroom now has an entry foyer and large living space, complete with crown molding and a very large private bath. The new luxurious master bath invites room for two at the elongated custom inset furniture vanity, a freestanding tub surrounded by built-in’s and a separate toilet/steam shower room. Kate Benjamin Photography

Home is where the heart is for this family and not surprisingly, a much needed mudroom entrance for their teenage boys and a soothing master suite to escape from everyday life are at the heart of this home renovation. With some small interior modifications and a 6′ x 20′ addition, MainStreet Design Build was able to create the perfect space this family had been hoping for. In the original layout, the side entry of the home converged directly on the laundry room, which opened up into the family room. This unappealing room configuration created a difficult traffic pattern across carpeted flooring to the rest of the home. Additionally, the garage entry came in from a separate entrance near the powder room and basement, which also lead directly into the family room. With the new addition, all traffic was directed through the new mudroom, providing both locker and closet storage for outerwear before entering the family room. In the newly remodeled family room space, MainStreet Design Build removed the old side entry door wall and made a game area with French sliding doors that opens directly into the backyard patio. On the second floor, the addition made it possible to expand and re-design the master bath and bedroom. The new bedroom now has an entry foyer and large living space, complete with crown molding and a very large private bath. The new luxurious master bath invites room for two at the elongated custom inset furniture vanity, a freestanding tub surrounded by built-in’s and a separate toilet/steam shower room. Kate Benjamin Photography

Beautiful older home remodel and addition. Homeowner wanted to use side yard for a new garage and add on to the back of house to expand kitchen. The existing one stall garage in the front of the house was converted into an office, the kitchen was opened up and the addition made room for a new family room in the back of the house. A breezeway connects the new addition to the new garage and it makes a nice private courtyard between the side of the house and the garage. Entertaining is easy now with the curved drive, double garage, and new open layout.

The subtle changes begin as soon as you walk out the back door of the house. The existing decking had a lot of what we call "tweeners"; areas that are overly generous walkways, yet not large enough to house furniture. The awkwardly small bluestone patio was expanded to accommodate a generous seating area. This was done by pushing the step-down closer to the pool. Our talented stone mason carefully married the new bluestone into the existing portion of the patio, resulting in an imperceptible difference between the two. As you descend the new bluestone steps to the pool level, your bare feet will be thankful for the new smooth-finished, limestone-colored concrete, with a hand cut pattern carefully etched into it's surface. The old red brick decking was so hot that the owners could not walk around the pool with their bare feet. The brick coping was also replaced with an eased edge, Pennsylvania Premier Stone which matches the new step treads throughout the project. Between the house and the pool, a large raised planter was reconfigured, giving additional space to the pool deck for a shaded lounge chair area. Across the pool, a bank of rather tall painted brick retaining walls were cut down, shortened and moved. This lessened the visual impact of the walls (which were overwhelming in the space) and also opened up a new seating area, nestled under the arms of the massive Pecan tree at the back of the property. Rather than continuing solid decking around the entire pool, the area near these walls has been transformed to large stone stepper pads set in a sea of beautiful St. Augustine lawn. This creates a visually softened area that is still suited to setting tables and chairs when the guest list calls for additional seating. The spa area is possibly the most dramatic change on this project. Yet more raised planter walls divided this area into awkward spaces, unsuited for proper furniture placement. The planters were removed, new stone decks added, and once again expertly married into the existing decks, opening the area to house a large dining table and a newly built-in BBQ area. The spa itself was re-imagined with the bluestone coping and painted brick veneer. The most impressive addition though is the new handmade glazed tiles that surround the existing cast stone water feature. This water feature was almost unnoticeable against the painted brick wall, but now the dramatic arch and pop of color draw the eye to this quaint little corner of the property. Originally designed by one of the most notable landscape architects in town, this once impressive project had faltered in recent years. The pool and spa still functioned well, and the client wanted to keep it intact. In addition, they wanted to keep as much of the existing landscape as possible. But, the surrounding decks, walls and steps were fair game. At first glance, one might think that our changes were simple material changes. However, upon closer inspection, one can see the subtle-yet-transformative changes that came together to update this classic pool in a tasteful, timeless manner, as well as to improve the flow and usability of the deck areas, while softening the feel of this massive hardscape.

Originally designed by one of the most notable landscape architects in town, this once impressive project had faltered in recent years. The pool and spa still functioned well, and the client wanted to keep it intact. In addition, they wanted to keep as much of the existing landscaping as possible. The surrounding decks, walls, and steps were fair game. At first glance, one might think that our changes were simple material changes. Upon closer inspection, however, one can see the subtle, yet transformative changes that come together to update this classic pool in a tasteful, timeless manner, and improve the flow and usability of the deck areas, while softening the feel of the massive hardscape. The subtle changes begin as soon as you walk out the back door of the house. The existing decking had a lot of what we call “tweeners”; areas that are overly generous walkways, yet not large enough to house furniture. The awkwardly small bluestone patio was expanded to accommodate a generous seating area, by pushing the step-down closer to the pool. Our talented stone mason carefully married the new bluestone into the existing, resulting in an imperceptible difference between the two. As you descend the new bluestone steps to the pool level, your bare feet will be thankful for the new smooth-finished limestone colored concrete, with a hand cut pattern carefully etched into its surface. The old red brick decking was so hot that the owners could not walk around the pool in bare feet. The brick coping was also replaced with an eased edge Pennsylvania Premier Stone which matches the new step treads throughout the project. Between the house and the pool, a large raised planter was reconfigured, giving additional space to the pool deck for a shaded lounge chair area. Across the pool, a bank of rather tall painted brick retaining walls were cut down, shortened, and moved. This lessened the visual impact of the walls, which were rather overwhelming in the space, as well as opening up a new seating area, nestled under the arms of the massive pecan at the back of the property. Rather than continuing solid decking around the entire pool, the area near these walls has been transformed to large stone stepper pads set in a sea of beautiful St. Augustine lawn. This creates a visually softened area that is still suited to setting tables and chairs when the guest list calls for additional seating. The spa area is quite possibly the most dramatic change on this project. Yet more raised planter walls divided this area into awkward spaces, unsuited to proper furniture placement. The planters were removed, new stone decks, once again expertly married into the existing, opening the area to house a large dining table and new built in bbq area. The spa itself was re-imagined with the bluestone coping, and painted brick veneer. The most impressive addition though is the new handmade glazed tiles that surround the existing cast stone water feature. This water feature was almost unnoticeable against the painted brick wall, but now the dramatic arch and pop of color draw the eye to this quaint little corner of the property.

This 1880’s Victorian style home was completely renovated and expanded with a kitchen addition. The charm of the old home was preserved with character features and fixtures throughout the renovation while updating and expanding the home to luxurious modern living.

Situated in one of Portland Oregon's older neighborhoods, this quaint bungalow needed to expand for a growing family. The existing garage was torn down to make room for the addition. The new space gives the home owners a family room and bike storage on the first floor. The second floor has the new master bedroom, master bathroom, laundry room, and nursery. Sean Barnett-Polymath Studio

Photo by Ryann Ford
This is an example of a contemporary landscaping in Austin.

Middlefork was retained to update and revitalize this North Shore home to a family of six. The primary goal of this project was to update and expand the home's small, eat-in kitchen. The existing space was gutted and a 1,500-square-foot addition was built to house a gourmet kitchen, connected breakfast room, fireside seating, butler's pantry, and a small office. The family desired nice, timeless spaces that were also durable and family-friendly. As such, great consideration was given to the interior finishes. The 10' kitchen island, for instance, is a solid slab of white velvet quartzite, selected for its ability to withstand mustard, ketchup and finger-paint. There are shorter, walnut extensions off either end of the island that support the children's involvement in meal preparation and crafts. Low-maintenance Atlantic Blue Stone was selected for the perimeter counters. The scope of this phase grew to include re-trimming the front façade and entry to emphasize the Georgian detailing of the home. In addition, the balance of the first floor was gutted; existing plumbing and electrical systems were updated; all windows were replaced; two powder rooms were updated; a low-voltage distribution system for HDTV and audio was added; and, the interior of the home was re-trimmed. Two new patios were also added, providing outdoor areas for entertaining, dining and cooking. Tom Harris, Hedrich Blessing

A main level home remodel complete with a 10'x20' home addition to expand the kitchen remodel and to make room for a pantry and mudroom. All new trim, vinyl plank flooring, cabinets, countertops, electrical, plumbing, and paint

Patio - patio idea in Chicago

The renovation of this 1938 home consisted of a first floor addition to expand the existing kitchen, as well as the remodeling of the original garage to create a family room and full bath. Gardner/Fox collaborated with the client to design and build the space.

The renovation of this 1938 home consisted of a first floor addition to expand the existing kitchen, as well as the remodeling of the original garage to create a family room and full bath. Gardner/Fox collaborated with the client to design and build the space.

Exterior home photo in Boston

Patio photo in Chicago