It is natural when homeowners are feeling space-bound to want as much new space as possible, and contractors are more than willing to produce it. As they say “be careful of what you ask for, you might just get it.” Big spaces can dwarf existing ones, and break the whole house out of proportion.

PROBLEM

This house had been a somewhat traditional ranch, with full basement and attached two-car garage (A). The entry (B) was not much more than a hallway between the living room (C) and what was perhaps the dining room (D). Two bedrooms (E & F) and a bathroom (G) comprised the bedroom wing. The kitchen (H) likely stayed the same, and the former window above the sink became a pass-thru. The bar area (I) (which the homeowners liked) must have been the eat-in portion of the kitchen. The addition that came with the house (J) featured a huge family room (K) and a master bedroom suite (L) that was as large as the two-car garage! The main priority was to create a great new kitchen, make the house easy for entertaining, and to deal with the uncomfortable scale problems. SOLUTION

First, I took the nebulous room (D) and converted it into the new family entry. Everyone needs a space like this. As a bonus, we brought the laundry up from the basement. Since we added a large coat closet to this room, I could remove the two closets in the entry (B) and create a foyer (N). The kitchen (O) had to push out into the family room so I handled that with an angled counter, echoed by the counter in the bar (P). This creates an inviting connection between the living room (C) and family room (Q). Casual dining (R), close to the terrace, consumes more of the oversized family room. I actually created a small hallway (S) to the master bedroom (T), which eliminated the abrupt entryway (U) that was there. This even helps subdue sounds from the family room into the bedroom. The master bath (V) was less than luxurious, so I expanded it into the closet (W). Now we have a master bath (X) worthy of the name. I replaced the closet (Y) and made it larger, scaling down the master bedroom (T). Back to the new kitchen (O), I added some features that make family life easier and more efficient. A “To Go” shelf (Z) is perfectly placed for coming and going. It sets on the end of the new closet style pantry (AA). The former door opening was used to create a recycling zone (CC), using cat doors as portals into bins in the garage. We even have a full size bookshelf for cookbooks.

Marcia Lyon is a professional remodeling designer, producing projects locally and across the U.S. 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 at 515-991-8880.