People are preparing for retirement in various ways. It’s not for everyone to transition into a condo or townhouse. Sometimes there is a lake cottage that has been the recreation spot for a family for years, full of the patina of memories. When a house like this is prepared for full time living, creature comforts are usually added.

PROBLEM

A get-away home can be called a cottage, regardless of style. This one in Lexington, Mich. is a ranch style home with three bedrooms, two baths and an expansive walk-out basement.

It is located about an hour and a half away from their full-time home, situated on a six-acre lot. The owners just purchased it and wanted to modify it to not only accommodate potentially an elderly couple (themselves in 18 to 20 years) but also a daughter who is almost out of the house and friends from their old neighborhood.

They like to throw parties and anticipate their friends staying over rather than taking the long drive home at night.

They loved the large, open, walkout basement (not shown) and planned another family room down there, as well as a “man room.” When asked how many bedrooms they wanted to end up with, they told me five, with bathrooms to go along with the new bedrooms. They thought about adding a second story for the new bedrooms, but couldn’t find space on the main floor they were willing to give up for the stair up.

I also needed to accommodate a sewing hobby, with above grade storage for lots of fabric.

The homeowners told me that they wanted to shift the kitchen (A) toward the back into the dining room (B). They wanted to maintain a formal living room (C) and create a formal dining room. They were unhappy with the small, uninspired entry (D). The family room (E) was ok, but they wanted to move and rebuild the fireplace.

They didn’t know how they could expand and improve on the master bedroom (F) and bath (G). They felt that the hall bath (H), Bedroom 2 (I) and Bedroom 3 (J) were adequate.

They weren’t thrilled with the dark walk (K) from the garage (L); the laundry room (M) location is all right, but far from the bedrooms.

SOLUTION

I asked them to think through the process of adding a second story. Was it really worth it just to add two bedrooms for guests? My solution was to add 14 feet to the side (N), and add a new master bedroom (O), with access to the deck (P). We could also add a large walk-in closet (Q) and master bathroom (R). This whole new “wing” will be new and built to order. Because of the addition, we added two new bedrooms with a shared bathroom on the basement level.

We needed a half bath (S) for this side of the house, so we shifted the laundry room (M) over and created one (T) that connects to the master bathroom (R).

The walk (U) from the garage (L) was improved by adding a window.

A new hall (V) was added for access to the master bedroom. We opened up the basement stair and added a skylight to brighten the way.

New walls were built to enclose a space for the dining room (X). The foyer (D) improved when we relocated the coat closet. The living room (C) is now more separated and has walls for furniture. The right end of the house remained the same, but bedroom 2 (I) will now be used as the sewing room.

The new kitchen (Z) fit perfectly into the existing bump out that was the dining room.

We had room to add an island with a prep-sink, a corner closet pantry and built-in cabinetry for a Butler’s Pantry to house china and serving pieces.

Marcia Lyon is a professional remodeling designer and freelance writer, producing projects locally and several other areas across the United States and Canada. Her new book on remodeling design, “The Essential Planner for Home Remodeling,” is available at www.creatingspaces.net. Reach her at marcia@creatingspaces.net or 515-991-8880.