In this historic home renovation in the Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago, we did a complete update of the outside of this century-old house. We replaced the siding on the house with a brick-colored fiber cement siding, and all of the wood trim was done in white Azek PVC trim board, which is impervious to moisture and insects so it will stay looking like new for years to come. Where the strips of the siding come together at an angle, we used clear miter caps on the edges to create a smooth, unified look. The front porch was completely rebuilt with decking and railings made out of Trex, a PVC-based wood alternative, and a ceiling made out of Douglas Pine. We changed the porch soffits from aluminum to Douglas Pine and added electrical outlets to the porch ceiling to make it easy to plug in Christmas lights. At the front of the porch, we added stone supporting pillars, rebuilt the front staircase and installed a beautiful paver walkway that matched the color of the stone pillars. Photo credit: Steve Rowell

Today’s traditional kitchens are nothing like the overly embellished ones of the ‘90’s & early 2000’s, replete with intricately carved posts, columns, corbels, overlays and moldings. Today’s classic kitchen is edited down to time honored elements, simpler trims, with some contemporary touches. Recessed panel doors with a beveled inner profile, and slab drawers with a rounded outer trim, line the perimeter. The main body of the island is “L”-shaped, but the overhang is curved, repeating the curved breakfast nook window and paneled banquette. Clean-lined slab doors and drawers allow the island’s shapely form to shine. Two tones again prove popular, with gray paint on the perimeter and rift-cut white oak stained dark brown on the island. Clear glass doors flanking the hood have natural maple interiors to brighten the expanse of cabinetry. In the dining room, the upper glass doors of the hutch cabinets have matching painted interiors for a more formal look. Crown molding is an uncluttered cove, and under cabinet lighting is discreetly hidden in the recessed bottoms. Frosted drum pendants and a linear dining chandelier holding frosted glass “candles” are unapologetically contemporary. Perimeter countertops and backsplashes are subtly veined marble, while the island top is gray quartz. This project was done in collaboration with Kathleen Walsh Interiors. Photography by Rikki Snyder.

For this project, we installed a cable and wood railing system for our client. The combination of open tread stairs and cable keep the space feeling open and airy and provide an updated look for the home. The wood railing was custom stained to match the existing floors and provide a cohesive look throughout the space.

Patio - country patio idea in Philadelphia

When the owner of this petite c. 1910 cottage in Riverside, RI first considered purchasing it, he fell for its charming front façade and the stunning rear water views. But it needed work. The weather-worn, water-facing back of the house was in dire need of attention. The first-floor kitchen/living/dining areas were cramped. There was no first-floor bathroom, and the second-floor bathroom was a fright. Most surprisingly, there was no rear-facing deck off the kitchen or living areas to allow for outdoor living along the Providence River. In collaboration with the homeowner, KHS proposed a number of renovations and additions. The first priority was a new cantilevered rear deck off an expanded kitchen/dining area and reconstructed sunroom, which was brought up to the main floor level. The cantilever of the deck prevents the need for awkwardly tall supporting posts that could potentially be undermined by a future storm event or rising sea level. To gain more first-floor living space, KHS also proposed capturing the corner of the wrapping front porch as interior kitchen space in order to create a more generous open kitchen/dining/living area, while having minimal impact on how the cottage appears from the curb. Underutilized space in the existing mudroom was also reconfigured to contain a modest full bath and laundry closet. Upstairs, a new full bath was created in an addition between existing bedrooms. It can be accessed from both the master bedroom and the stair hall. Additional closets were added, too. New windows and doors, new heart pine flooring stained to resemble the patina of old pine flooring that remained upstairs, new tile and countertops, new cabinetry, new plumbing and lighting fixtures, as well as a new color palette complete the updated look. Upgraded insulation in areas exposed during the construction and augmented HVAC systems also greatly improved indoor comfort. Today, the cottage continues to charm while also accommodating modern amenities and features.

The original kitchen had wood cabinets which made the space seem dark and small, as well as not enough storage. It was in need of an update and brightening up. Working closely with the client we were able to come up with creative storage solutions to take advantage of every nook and cranny to maximize storage and ensure there was space for everything. To highlight the beautiful view form the window, we added glass cabinets on either side, as well as in the hutch cabinet to draw the eye around the room. By using white cabinetry, we were able to make the space seem larger within the same footprint of the kitchen. A custom wood hood adds an additional focal point. The beautiful soapstone countertops tie the whole space together and work with the look of the traditional home. The custom wood posts on the end of the peninsula add extra detail to the cabinetry and an extra detail to the countertop. The addition of wood floors ties the space to the rest of the home.

After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change. “The kitchen is the place where we live, it’s where we do everything,” Meghan said. “It was important that it be a space where we wanted to be.” Meghan loves cooking and enjoys including their girls in healthy meal prepping, this led them to want a brighter, more enjoyable kitchen with increased functionality and improved storage. For Chris especially, the laundry room was an entirely dysfunctional eyesore. “We had a washer and a dryer, but it was all kind-of cobbled together!” Chris said. “There were always laundry piles everywhere, we weren’t really sure what we wanted to do in there, but it was time for us to make a change.” The mess of the space was stressful every time they walked in the door from the garage each day. Kids’ backpacks and shoes piled up haphazardly in the makeshift boot-bench closet left the family feeling disorganized and stressed. They needed space for folding clothes and locker cubbies to help keep the family organized. Having known Christine and Todd in the Huntley community for years, Chris and Meghan were familiar with their work. “We already trusted them personally and having seen their projects for years we knew they did top notch work. After we reviewed the initial round of designs, we knew that hiring them was definitely the right choice,” Meghan and Chris said. Although Chris had done a lot of work in their home himself, the kitchen and laundry room renovation was such a large undertaking that he didn’t want to steal time away from his family to spend what would surely be many long weekends doing the job himself. “That would not have been a wise choice for us,” Chris laughed. “Our designer, Michelle was very, very, easy to work with; anything we wanted to see or weren’t sure about, she went above and beyond to make this easy for us. She was easy to get hold of and always quick to respond,” the couple said. Michelle pulled ideas that mirrored the couple’s taste and style and was adept at directing the couple to limited choices that didn’t overwhelm them and kept the process moving. “I have a hard time making decisions. Michelle made the decision-making process so easy. I loved how she listened to what I liked and then presented three great options for me to choose from,” Meghan said. The main objectives for the kitchen were better storage solutions, they wanted the space to reflect their lifestyle and taste, and they wanted it to last for years with low maintenance. One of the first steps in creating a more functional kitchen was relocating the refrigerator, creating an improved workflow for the busy family. “We didn’t know that we could even move the refrigerator to a new location where it is now, that was something that we never would have thought of,” Chris said. “The new refrigerator location makes the kitchen feel so much bigger. We didn’t add any space, but our whole kitchen with the new design just seems like it’s so much larger than before!” Meghan said. The perimeter mist colored cabinets helped warm and brighten the entire room, while the graphite colored cabinets on the island added contrast. Using this fresh, clean color palette satisfied the couple’s desire for a bright space that was the exact opposite of what they had before. Organization accessories were also added to the cabinets such as a spice drawer tray and roll outs to create hidden convenience. “I absolutely love the hidden spices – it makes cooking so much more enjoyable!” Chris said. “And all the pull outs, and the double trash bin, who would think you could get so excited about organization!” the couple said in unison. One thing they hated in their original kitchen was how dark the space felt. Added lighting on the ceiling with the new light fixtures combined with the lighter cabinetry colors throughout solved this problem. “Our new kitchen has this warm, almost cozy feeling that our old kitchen never had, it’s just a space that I love spending my time in now,” Meghan said. The light airy feeling was accentuated with the use of floating white shelves on either side of the decorative range hood. “We have so much cabinetry space, the new design is amazing we actually have more storage space than we will ever need,” Meghan said. The island was extended to create more work surface and added space for stool seating. “The new island changes how we live. Now the kids can be in the kitchen with us, doing homework, eating breakfast, and the three of us have special dinners there when Chris is working late,” Meghan said. The Carrara Marmi Quartz countertops were chosen because they are, not only beautiful, but are made from hard-working material that doesn’t require maintenance. The white subway tile backsplash that wraps to the ceiling behind the focal point cooktop range/hood compliments the crisp white countertops perfectly, while brushed brass hardware and light fixtures keep the design fresh and new. The couple had a few fears at the beginning of the project, as most homeowners do. Their biggest fear was being out of their kitchen and laundry room for an extended time. The crew made it very easy for the family to work in a limited space keeping the washer and dryer hooked up the majority of the time, and also getting appliances working with minimal downtime. “They above and beyond accommodated us to get us through the process,” Meghan said. “They did a great job making sure we were as comfortable as possible throughout the process,” Chris added. “Our project manager DJ did a great job. He was very good at updating us on schedule changes, getting guys in as quickly as possible. Everyone that stepped in the house was nice and did great work,” said Chris. They thought Advance’s carpenter was phenomenal and were impressed when he took a conceptual idea from a photograph and worked with designer Michelle to create a one of a kind range/hood that has become the topic of conversation with friends and family who visit the new kitchen. “He was in our house literally every day for several weeks. He was easy to work with and good at what he did,” Meghan and Chris said. The focal point of the kitchen; a hand-crafted, custom-built ventilation hood was clad with handpicked reclaimed barnwood. Advance Design’s carpenter built the framework and the cladding to create a one-of-a-kind design element that the couple loves. “I think it was especially fun for him to create something unique from scratch, showcasing his talent in this area,” Meghan said. “I love that my kitchen is not like everyone else’s. I got to pick out the wood on my hood and watch it being built and was able to choose what pieces of wood went where on it. It’s totally unique.” Red Oak flooring was toothed-in throughout the kitchen and the rest of the first floor anywhere changes were made. Then the whole floor was refinished to tone down the orange undertones in the existing floor stain, ultimately changing the color complexion of the entire first floor. The result is a completely new feeling to the entire home. Renovating the laundry room was extremely important to Meghan and Chris, but they had trouble visualizing what the possibilities were for the seemingly small space. Michelle produced beautiful 3D illustrations that helped them envision the space in a whole new way. “I must have told Michelle 100 times that I am a visual person, seeing the designs in 3D made it so easy to make decisions and see what we could really do with our space,” Meghan said. A dividing wall and doorway were removed between the existing laundry room and hallway formerly containing a coat closet, providing space to design specialized graphite colored cabinetry matching the kitchen island to house custom storage cubbies for each family member. Adding the tall utility cabinetry in the new laundry area helped solve the storage issue, tucking away cleaning supplies, household items, and even the cat got its own cubby. “I love how everything is now hidden in its own space. I can’t tell you how much I hated coming home and seeing everything sitting around on counters,” Chris said. Electrical outlets were planned for the inside of utility cabinets, so devices could charge in hidden locations. Stacking the washer and dryer allowed for wider countertop space to provide a folding area and a special space for clothes to hang. “The way I do laundry has been completely transformed! I can actually fold clothes and hang them now right out of the washer and dryer,” Meghan said. “The end result in the kitchen and the laundry/mud room was an updated light and bright space, with a smarter work flow that better meets the needs of this family,” Michelle said. “I would totally recommend Advance Design,” Meghan said. “Sometimes I sit and just look at my kitchen and laundry room and think ‘Wow, I can’t believe I get to live here!’ It’s an understatement to say we love our new space.”

The Bershire Deck House is a perfect escape, located in a remote mountain town in western Massachusetts. It features a welcoming great room, which greets visitors with spectacular, floor-to-ceiling views of the landscape beyond; a deck for relaxing and entertaining; and a private, entry-level master suite. The lower level also features two additional bedrooms, a family room and unfinished space for future expansion.

Photo by Pedro Marti The client’s hired us to update this small post war apartment which didn’t appear to have ever been renovated since the buildings construction in 1964. The kitchen and bathroom were outdated and were fully gutted. In doing so we decided to open up the apartment in general by removing the wall that separated the kitchen from the living space to create a more open plan. The resulting design is an exercise in ultra-minimalism. The rear wall of the kitchen was outfitted with floor to ceiling cabinetry fit with custom satin lacquer doors and minimal white pulls. The custom paneled refrigerator integrates seamlessly within this wall to create a white backdrop for the kitchen. A peninsula was created opposite to give a work surface and to house the sink and range. Starkly contrasting black metal clad doors were chosen for this run of cabinetry. The unique metal doors have integrated pulls that are cut and folded from the metal cladding. The peninsula is topped in a faux concrete quartz surface. New wide plank walnut flooring was laid throughout the kitchen, living, and bedroom to giving the space a look of continuity. Trim was kept to a minimum, removing from all doors and windows and using only where absolutely necessary at the base of the walls. To achieve the look in the monochromatic bathroom, large format grey porcelain tile was laid in a careful grid; white metal floating shelves and the medicine cabinet were installed to precisely align with both the tile grid and the overhead linear LED fixture.

About: Abandoned two years ago by a previous contractor, and overwhelmed by the challenges associated with building an updated porch respectful to this Queen Anne style home, J. Francis Company, LLC was referred to the customer by Maynes & Associates, Architects. Perched at the highest point on the North Side with a panoramic view is where Deb Mortillaro and Mike Gonze make their residence. Owners of the famous Dreadnought Wines and Palate Partners in the Strip District of Pittsburgh, Deb & Mike wanted a porch to use for entertaining & wine tasting parties. Design features include reuse of original porch footers, mahogany tongue & groove flooring, a railing system that compliments the original design yet complies with the code and features a clear coated Cyprus top rail. The original porch columns were most likely stone bases with wood posts that have been replaced with columns to enhance the updated look. The curved corner has been reproduced including a custom-built curved handrail. The whole porch comes together, tying in the red mahogany floor, Cyprus handrail, and stained bead board ceiling. The finished result is a breathtakingly beautiful wrap-around porch with ample room for guests and entertaining. Testimonial: "Our beloved porch had been taken down to be rebuilt for two years before we met the great folks at J. Francis Company. We knew this porch had great potential and all it would take was the right people to make it happen - ones with vision and great craftsmanship. In conjunction with our architect, Greg Maynes, Dave Myers of J. Francis Company guided this project along with tremendous skill and patience. His creative suggestions and practical thought made the process painless and exciting. The head carpenter JK was a marvel and added touches that made a spectacular difference. We use our home and especially this porch to entertain both clients and friends throughout the year. They all have been anxiously waiting to hear that it is done. A pleasant surprise will be theirs when they arrive."

When the owner of this petite c. 1910 cottage in Riverside, RI first considered purchasing it, he fell for its charming front façade and the stunning rear water views. But it needed work. The weather-worn, water-facing back of the house was in dire need of attention. The first-floor kitchen/living/dining areas were cramped. There was no first-floor bathroom, and the second-floor bathroom was a fright. Most surprisingly, there was no rear-facing deck off the kitchen or living areas to allow for outdoor living along the Providence River. In collaboration with the homeowner, KHS proposed a number of renovations and additions. The first priority was a new cantilevered rear deck off an expanded kitchen/dining area and reconstructed sunroom, which was brought up to the main floor level. The cantilever of the deck prevents the need for awkwardly tall supporting posts that could potentially be undermined by a future storm event or rising sea level. To gain more first-floor living space, KHS also proposed capturing the corner of the wrapping front porch as interior kitchen space in order to create a more generous open kitchen/dining/living area, while having minimal impact on how the cottage appears from the curb. Underutilized space in the existing mudroom was also reconfigured to contain a modest full bath and laundry closet. Upstairs, a new full bath was created in an addition between existing bedrooms. It can be accessed from both the master bedroom and the stair hall. Additional closets were added, too. New windows and doors, new heart pine flooring stained to resemble the patina of old pine flooring that remained upstairs, new tile and countertops, new cabinetry, new plumbing and lighting fixtures, as well as a new color palette complete the updated look. Upgraded insulation in areas exposed during the construction and augmented HVAC systems also greatly improved indoor comfort. Today, the cottage continues to charm while also accommodating modern amenities and features.

Photo by Pedro Marti The client’s hired us to update this small post war apartment which didn’t appear to have ever been renovated since the buildings construction in 1964. The kitchen and bathroom were outdated and were fully gutted. In doing so we decided to open up the apartment in general by removing the wall that separated the kitchen from the living space to create a more open plan. The resulting design is an exercise in ultra-minimalism. The rear wall of the kitchen was outfitted with floor to ceiling cabinetry fit with custom satin lacquer doors and minimal white pulls. The custom paneled refrigerator integrates seamlessly within this wall to create a white backdrop for the kitchen. A peninsula was created opposite to give a work surface and to house the sink and range. Starkly contrasting black metal clad doors were chosen for this run of cabinetry. The unique metal doors have integrated pulls that are cut and folded from the metal cladding. The peninsula is topped in a faux concrete quartz surface. New wide plank walnut flooring was laid throughout the kitchen, living, and bedroom to giving the space a look of continuity. Trim was kept to a minimum, removing from all doors and windows and using only where absolutely necessary at the base of the walls. To achieve the look in the monochromatic bathroom, large format grey porcelain tile was laid in a careful grid; white metal floating shelves and the medicine cabinet were installed to precisely align with both the tile grid and the overhead linear LED fixture.

Mike Kaskel The kitchen features traditional materials with Holiday Kitchens white cabinets , marble herringbone backsplash, farm house sink and wood floors. It is updated using Sherwin Williams Dovetail Gray on the island topped with Cambria Quartz with accents of wood and metal to complete this refresh of a traditional kitchen.

When the owner of this petite c. 1910 cottage in Riverside, RI first considered purchasing it, he fell for its charming front façade and the stunning rear water views. But it needed work. The weather-worn, water-facing back of the house was in dire need of attention. The first-floor kitchen/living/dining areas were cramped. There was no first-floor bathroom, and the second-floor bathroom was a fright. Most surprisingly, there was no rear-facing deck off the kitchen or living areas to allow for outdoor living along the Providence River. In collaboration with the homeowner, KHS proposed a number of renovations and additions. The first priority was a new cantilevered rear deck off an expanded kitchen/dining area and reconstructed sunroom, which was brought up to the main floor level. The cantilever of the deck prevents the need for awkwardly tall supporting posts that could potentially be undermined by a future storm event or rising sea level. To gain more first-floor living space, KHS also proposed capturing the corner of the wrapping front porch as interior kitchen space in order to create a more generous open kitchen/dining/living area, while having minimal impact on how the cottage appears from the curb. Underutilized space in the existing mudroom was also reconfigured to contain a modest full bath and laundry closet. Upstairs, a new full bath was created in an addition between existing bedrooms. It can be accessed from both the master bedroom and the stair hall. Additional closets were added, too. New windows and doors, new heart pine flooring stained to resemble the patina of old pine flooring that remained upstairs, new tile and countertops, new cabinetry, new plumbing and lighting fixtures, as well as a new color palette complete the updated look. Upgraded insulation in areas exposed during the construction and augmented HVAC systems also greatly improved indoor comfort. Today, the cottage continues to charm while also accommodating modern amenities and features.

When the owner of this petite c. 1910 cottage in Riverside, RI first considered purchasing it, he fell for its charming front façade and the stunning rear water views. But it needed work. The weather-worn, water-facing back of the house was in dire need of attention. The first-floor kitchen/living/dining areas were cramped. There was no first-floor bathroom, and the second-floor bathroom was a fright. Most surprisingly, there was no rear-facing deck off the kitchen or living areas to allow for outdoor living along the Providence River. In collaboration with the homeowner, KHS proposed a number of renovations and additions. The first priority was a new cantilevered rear deck off an expanded kitchen/dining area and reconstructed sunroom, which was brought up to the main floor level. The cantilever of the deck prevents the need for awkwardly tall supporting posts that could potentially be undermined by a future storm event or rising sea level. To gain more first-floor living space, KHS also proposed capturing the corner of the wrapping front porch as interior kitchen space in order to create a more generous open kitchen/dining/living area, while having minimal impact on how the cottage appears from the curb. Underutilized space in the existing mudroom was also reconfigured to contain a modest full bath and laundry closet. Upstairs, a new full bath was created in an addition between existing bedrooms. It can be accessed from both the master bedroom and the stair hall. Additional closets were added, too. New windows and doors, new heart pine flooring stained to resemble the patina of old pine flooring that remained upstairs, new tile and countertops, new cabinetry, new plumbing and lighting fixtures, as well as a new color palette complete the updated look. Upgraded insulation in areas exposed during the construction and augmented HVAC systems also greatly improved indoor comfort. Today, the cottage continues to charm while also accommodating modern amenities and features.

The original home was a tiny 1000 square foot house that had been built in the 40's and never had been updated, typical of many of Los Angeles' post-war neighborhoods. By converting the attached single-car garage into living space and strategically re-configuring walls, we accomplished an open floor plan that dramatically increased the spaciousness of the house, while sticking to a limited budget. To minimize the environmental impact of our project, we donated and reused materials as much as possible, and chose new finishes such as bamboo and cork floors, and Kirei board. The durability and recycled content of materials were also considered in their selection. Energy efficiency was also a concern. Thus appliances and heating systems were selected for their efficiency, and LED lighting was installed in the kitchen.

Hi friends! If you hadn’t put it together from the hashtag (#hansonranchoverhaul), this project was literally, quite the overhaul. This full-house renovation was so much fun to be a part of! Not only did we overhaul both the main and second levels, but we actually added square footage when we filled in a double-story volume to create an additional second floor bedroom (which in this case, will actually function as a home office). We also moved walls around on both the main level to open up the living/dining kitchen area, create a more functional powder room, and bring in more natural light at the entry. Upstairs, we altered the layout to accommodate two more spacious and modernized bathrooms, as well as larger bedrooms, one complete with a new walk-in-closet and one with a beautiful window seat built-in. This client and I connected right away – she was looking to update her '90s home with a laid-back, fresh, transitional approach. As we got into the finish selections, we realized that our picks were taking us in a bit of a modern farmhouse direction, so we went with it, and am I ever glad we did! I love the new wide-plank distressed hardwood throughout and the new shaker-style built-ins in the kitchen and bathrooms. I custom designed the fireplace mantle and window seat to coordinate with the craftsman 3-panel doors, and we worked with the stair manufacturer to come up with a handrail, spindle and newel post design that was the perfect combination of traditional and modern. The 2-tone stair risers and treads perfectly accomplished the look we were going for!

When the owner of this petite c. 1910 cottage in Riverside, RI first considered purchasing it, he fell for its charming front façade and the stunning rear water views. But it needed work. The weather-worn, water-facing back of the house was in dire need of attention. The first-floor kitchen/living/dining areas were cramped. There was no first-floor bathroom, and the second-floor bathroom was a fright. Most surprisingly, there was no rear-facing deck off the kitchen or living areas to allow for outdoor living along the Providence River. In collaboration with the homeowner, KHS proposed a number of renovations and additions. The first priority was a new cantilevered rear deck off an expanded kitchen/dining area and reconstructed sunroom, which was brought up to the main floor level. The cantilever of the deck prevents the need for awkwardly tall supporting posts that could potentially be undermined by a future storm event or rising sea level. To gain more first-floor living space, KHS also proposed capturing the corner of the wrapping front porch as interior kitchen space in order to create a more generous open kitchen/dining/living area, while having minimal impact on how the cottage appears from the curb. Underutilized space in the existing mudroom was also reconfigured to contain a modest full bath and laundry closet. Upstairs, a new full bath was created in an addition between existing bedrooms. It can be accessed from both the master bedroom and the stair hall. Additional closets were added, too. New windows and doors, new heart pine flooring stained to resemble the patina of old pine flooring that remained upstairs, new tile and countertops, new cabinetry, new plumbing and lighting fixtures, as well as a new color palette complete the updated look. Upgraded insulation in areas exposed during the construction and augmented HVAC systems also greatly improved indoor comfort. Today, the cottage continues to charm while also accommodating modern amenities and features.

When the owner of this petite c. 1910 cottage in Riverside, RI first considered purchasing it, he fell for its charming front façade and the stunning rear water views. But it needed work. The weather-worn, water-facing back of the house was in dire need of attention. The first-floor kitchen/living/dining areas were cramped. There was no first-floor bathroom, and the second-floor bathroom was a fright. Most surprisingly, there was no rear-facing deck off the kitchen or living areas to allow for outdoor living along the Providence River. In collaboration with the homeowner, KHS proposed a number of renovations and additions. The first priority was a new cantilevered rear deck off an expanded kitchen/dining area and reconstructed sunroom, which was brought up to the main floor level. The cantilever of the deck prevents the need for awkwardly tall supporting posts that could potentially be undermined by a future storm event or rising sea level. To gain more first-floor living space, KHS also proposed capturing the corner of the wrapping front porch as interior kitchen space in order to create a more generous open kitchen/dining/living area, while having minimal impact on how the cottage appears from the curb. Underutilized space in the existing mudroom was also reconfigured to contain a modest full bath and laundry closet. Upstairs, a new full bath was created in an addition between existing bedrooms. It can be accessed from both the master bedroom and the stair hall. Additional closets were added, too. New windows and doors, new heart pine flooring stained to resemble the patina of old pine flooring that remained upstairs, new tile and countertops, new cabinetry, new plumbing and lighting fixtures, as well as a new color palette complete the updated look. Upgraded insulation in areas exposed during the construction and augmented HVAC systems also greatly improved indoor comfort. Today, the cottage continues to charm while also accommodating modern amenities and features.