A Home Designed to Evolve
This project began with a kitchen renovation but quickly grew into a comprehensive reimagining of the home when the clients’ family needs changed. Rather than approaching the work as a series of disconnected updates, the goal became clear early on: create a home that could evolve gracefully, supporting everyday living, multigenerational needs, and gathering spaces both inside and out.
At the heart of the transformation was the kitchen. The original layout was functional but heavy and compartmentalized, with dated cabinetry and an island that disrupted circulation. The redesigned kitchen is now open, light-filled, and highly functional, anchored by a generously scaled island that serves as the hub of the home. Custom cabinetry, improved storage, and a refined, timeless palette elevated the space while setting the tone for the rest of the renovation.
From the kitchen, sightlines now extend naturally into the main living spaces. The living room was reworked to feel bright, balanced, and connected, both to the kitchen and to the landscape beyond. Soaring ceilings, large-scale black-framed windows and doors, and a carefully considered furniture layout create a space that feels both expansive and inviting. The result is a room designed equally for quiet moments and large gatherings, grounded in comfort and architectural clarity.
The rear of the home underwent a dramatic transformation to strengthen the connection between indoors and out. A new sunroom addition introduces light-filled living space, while a covered porch extends daily life into the landscape, offering a shaded retreat for entertaining and relaxation. Together, these additions redefine how the home engages with its surroundings, turning the backyard into a true extension of the living space.
Completing the transformation is a newly constructed three-car garage with a fully equipped in-law apartment above. Designed to provide independence without separation, the addition was carefully integrated through thoughtful massing, rooflines, and material selections to feel cohesive with the original brick architecture.
Throughout the project, the design balances tradition with modern functionality, preserving the home’s character while updating systems, layouts, and finishes to support the way the family lives today. What began as a kitchen renovation ultimately became a whole-home transformation shaped by real life, resulting in a home that feels intentional, connected, and ready for its next chapter.
Amber Milwee
Director of Design, Smithouse Design + Build