This house may have started out as a cabin in the woods. The living room (A) is lined with wood paneling and has a dramatic two-story ceiling. The charming focal point is the fireplace nook (B) raised up one step. Benches line the sidewalls and lots of pillows make this a prime cozy spot. The woodsy look continues with a decorative wood stairway (C) and a wood-beamed ceiling in the dining room (D).

The contemporary part starts with the kitchen (E), with broad expanses of counters and many windows. A closet (F) wedged in over the basement stairway (G) serves as both a pantry and the desk/command center. Obviously, this space was not adequate for everything that was required.

Probably half of the kitchen (H), the entry (I), family room (J) and sunroom (K) were added to the original plan. I believe another (albeit unfortunate) modification was made to create a main floor bedroom out of the sunroom, adding a bulky walk-in closet (L) and a full bath (M), which consumed some hall space.

These changes closed the view out the back off from the family room and kitchen, and created a very awkward path (of least resistance) between the kitchen and the screened porch (N) and backyard.

When a swimming pool (O) was added, use of the walkthrough bathroom (M) increased and occasionally created surprises for everyone. The house is not really “pool-friendly.”

The homeowners bought this house this way and lived in it for a year and a half before they put in a call to me for help. They did want a main floor, up-to-date master suite with views, without losing other views. They also wanted to build an attached garage and create a family entry that had space for all the stuff a family of five would bring in. The need for a home office was evident, convenient to the kitchen, but not in the kitchen.

Solution

The first thing to do was to locate the new two-car garage (P). This utilizes the current entry (I) and behind it we created a family entry with cubbies, bench, closet and “to-go” shelf. The remainder of the family room (J) becomes an angled dining space (R), which can be expanded when needed, and a computer counter and storage.

The closet (L) was removed and the full bath (M) was reduced to a large half bath. Now traffic can pass by, not through it.

The combo pantry/office (F) was elevated to an efficient pantry. The unused dining room (D) made a very nice home office.

To make the house more pool oriented, a new deck (U) across the back was added. We consumed part of the sun room/Bedroom (K) to add a 3/4 bath (V), accessible from the new family room (W) and from the outside. A closet (X) for towels and cleaning supplies is handily located. Notice the clear view and traffic path from the kitchen to the new deck.

The back part of the addition makes room for a beautifully appointed master bath (Y) and master bedroom (Z). French doors open the bedroom out to the deck and pool. Not one, but two walk-in closets made the homeowners very happy.