This home's before and after is one of the most dramatic facelifts we've ever done without adding a single square foot. This home had the space the family needed, however the style and functionality of the home was stuck deep in the 80s. 

BEFORE

AFTER

One of the biggest design challenges for us here was finding the right way to move away from the ranch style home to create a more open and inviting home space. We did this by adding a new portico entry to direct attention to the new french door entryway and completely open up the interior and relocating the stairway that once ran straight down the middle of the home. After adding a few steel flitch plate beams within the ceiling for support, we were able to completely open up the first floor. 

With the new portico addition, we were able to create create a two story foyer with balcony from the upstairs hallway. We added a barreled vault here with stained wood to draw the eye up and we also mimicked this feature between the dining room and kitchen. 

New foyer

Barrel vault and bar between the dining room and kitchen

Another fun design challenge was playing around with the possibilities we had for the master bathroom. We rearranged the entire footprint and discovered that the best way to give the homeowners both the large freestanding tub and large shower they wanted was to combine the two! This shower is nothing less than a true home spa with full size freestanding tub, rain head, hand held shower head, and steam system. The entire shower space is also tiled with these gorgeous turquoise hand molded subway tiles from Europe.

Not only does this shower provide a peaceful sanctuary for the parents, but also serves a second purpose as a fully enclosed bathing space for their young kiddos! There's no worries about extra splashing in the tub here. 

New master bathroom

We also designed a clean, bright, and open kitchen for this home and opened up the adjacent living space. The kitchen and living room lead out to their new large outdoor living space with covered deck, stamped concrete patio with fire pit, and built-in stone cooking and grilling station. 

BEFORE: Kitchen

AFTER: Kitchen

Overall, this home only ever needed some creative rearranging and we put our best efforts into bringing it up to date to fit the everyday lives of its new residing family. We always strive to bring out the best in every older home we renovate while making the renovation and additions to the home look seamless. 

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 

DfD

This year was all about hygge, the Scandinavian concept of coziness — both as a home style and way of living. Although some of that desired coziness will remain, we predict people will be gravitating towards more natural and earthy vibes in 2018. From earthy hues in decor to recycling more consciously, keeping mother nature in mind throughout your home is a great way to liven up your space.

Here’s our list of 12 concepts and home features that will be trending in 2018. What do you think of these trends? Would you try any of them out in your home? Let us know in the comments!

1. Clean Natural Wood Features

Modern, clean lined kitchens are coming back and the natural wood grain gives a great mid-century modern appeal. Photo from Pinterest. 

2. Natural Light

We designed this kitchen to maximize natural light by omitting upper cabinets and adding windows throughout the kitchen. We designed a wall of floor to ceiling cabinets on the interior wall to give us the necessary storage. Project and photo by Designed for Downtown. 

3. Neutral Earth Tones

Greens, browns, and beige add a very warm and inviting appeal to any home. Bonus points if you have soft organic textures to pair with the earth tones. Picture from Pinterest. 

4. Greenery

Greenery adds a punch of color and natural vibes to any room. Live house plants are also known to add health benefits to your home by cleaning the air! Picture from Pinterest. 

5. Wallpaper

Wallpaper (or in this case- custom, painted on "wallpaper") adds such a fun and unique look to any room. We suggest adding wallpaper in smaller rooms such as bathrooms, laundry and mud rooms, or dining rooms to keep the look from becoming overwhelming. Project and photo by Designed for Downtown. 

6. Open Shelving

Open shelves can pair well with windows around your kitchen to maximize the natural lighting you get within your kitchen. They also give you a nice platform to show off your favorite plates and glasses without needing bulky and expensive glass door cabinets. Photo from Pinterest. 

7. Statement Ceilings

We love having the opportunity to recycle parts of the existing home and feature that in the new design/ renovation. We reclaimed this wood from the old framing of the home and added it here to this dining room ceiling for a unique, rustic focal point. Project and photo by Designed for Downtown. 

8. Spa Bathrooms

Treat yourself! Spa-like master bathrooms are becoming more and more popular. You need an oasis to have to retreat to after a long day. We designed this large shower and freestanding tub combo for a hardworking couple. This hand molded turquoise tile throughout the shower added a refreshing appeal.

9. Natural and Colorful Countertops

We made this reclaimed wood countertop to give this contrasting island a furniture piece aesthetic. The wood completely warms up the room and adds an organic touch to the otherwise sleek and simple kitchen. 

10. Colorful Entry Doors

This bright green door and potted plants add a punch of life to this entryway and will really compliment the lush green yard in the spring and summer. 

11. "Upcyclying"

We were able to salvage the character of these clients' first home by installing their old front door as a barn door leading to their mudroom! 

12. Naturally Textured Tile

Tile can add a great texture to any space. The subway tile we added to this backsplash is hand molded so the tile then captures the light and shows off it's beautifully organic texture.