When the owners of this 1918 craftsman bungalow came to us, they had a clear vision: more space for a growing family, without losing any of the warmth and character that made them fall in love with the house in the first place.

The Challenge

The original 1,400-square-foot plan was charming but cramped — a maze of small rooms typical of its era. The owners wanted an open kitchen and dining area, a proper mudroom, and a primary suite that actually felt like a retreat.

The trick was doing all of this without the addition reading as a tacked-on afterthought.

Our Approach

We spent considerable time studying the existing house before drawing a single line. The rhythm of the windows, the pitch of the roof, the depth of the overhangs — these were the rules we’d need to follow if the addition was going to feel like it belonged.

The best additions are the ones you can’t find on the first walk-through.

The 680-square-foot addition steps back from the street and tucks behind the roofline of the original structure. Seen from the front, the house reads as a well-preserved bungalow. From the backyard, it opens up into something entirely contemporary.

The Details

Materials were chosen to complement rather than match. We used fiber cement siding in the same profile as the original, but painted a slightly deeper tone to signal that this part of the house is new — honestly new, rather than falsely old.

Custom walnut cabinetry runs the length of the new kitchen wall, with integrated appliances and a generous island designed for both cooking and gathering.

The Result

The owners now have everything they asked for — and more importantly, a home that feels complete rather than expanded. The original rooms retain their coziness. The new spaces have a lightness and ease that the original plan could never have accommodated.

It’s the kind of project that reminds us why we do this work.