Modernizing a Family Heirloom

This remodel expanded and updated the home their grandfather built to support future generations.

cully heirloom Remodel

Portland, OR

How do you update and expand a home that is packed with so much sentimentality? This single story home was built by the owner’s grandfather in 1929, and will be the childhood home of at least 3 generations of their children. We worked closely to preserve and respect the history of the home, while uplifting it to work for generations to come. We added 1075sf second level while not overpowering the scale of the home from the street. The thoughtful addition saved the client money, and reduced the carbon footprint of the project.

New front view of a family heirloom home

Front Stoop

The view from the curb is dramatically changed, while maintaining the original charm and scale. The experience of entering the home has been elevated with bright new siding, and a new cover (shown above) created by the kids’ bathroom above. This new design provides a comfortable place to sit and reconnect with the neighborhood.

As Built view — The existing stoop was too small to gather and did not provide a stronger connection to the street.

new more open living room — The new living room space is brighter and was made larger by converting the adjacent bedroom to a connected home offices. The new stair to the second level is open to help connect the living room more with the kitchen. With more light and views outside, we need less interior light, reducing energy costs and increasing resiliency.

New Open Kitchen — **Stacking the stairs** over the existing basement stairwell put the stair in the perfect location, while saving valuable livable space. The open stair provides a stronger connection between the living spaces, as well as new the second level.

Opening up the plan

Removing walls on the first floor opened up the living space, allowing light to fill the house and enabling better views. The difference is significant. Now the family can gather around the fireplace. Keeping an eye on the little ones is made easier with more views from the kitchen. The front door is also now visible from the kitchen so it’s easier to welcome the grandparents when they come over. The whole floor now feels lighter, more welcoming, and is made healthier with smart material choices.

As Built Living Room — The existing living room was dark and undersized,. The fireplace felt cramped near the corner of the room.

As Built Kitchen — The original kitchen layout was lacking counter space and was ergonomically awkward due to the adjacent hallway.

The Kitchen

Removing the hallway between the stairwell and the kitchen allowed us to expand the kitchen. This made room for a large island which transformed the kitchen into a functional family gathering space. The new cabinetry and uplifted kitchen layout added a ton of storage, functionality, and much improved ergonomics. It now feels like the true heart of the home.

Ground Floor View — Remodeled ground floor plan

Upstairs Play

We continuing to keep the family’s needs in mind on the second level, while adding lots of opportunity for play. The new primary suite is located on the east end, giving a healthy buffer from the playroom located on the other side of the kid’s bedrooms. Small attic spaces were considered for play, as well as the area above the stairwell. These types of spaces help to encourage imagination and discovery.

New Childrens Room — No space was left untouched: Areas under eaves provide children play spaces, and future storage.

New Primary Suite

The playfulness did not end with the children’s rooms. The upper portion of the walls are angled against the lofted ceilings. The move creates a cabin-like feel in each room that makes them feel unique and cozy.