Ranch Home Remodel by Quartersawn Design + Build

This article offers comprehensive renovation strategies for outdated ranch houses, presented by Nashville designer and builder Ridley Wills. Ranch homes, often perceived as anachronistic, possess inherent structural advantages and ample plot sizes, making them prime candidates for modern transformation. The article highlights that utilizing a design/build firm can streamline the renovation process and help manage costs effectively, as a single entity handles all stages from initial design to construction, often with a fixed price. The article outlines three distinct renovation plans, each tailored to a different budget, starting with a typical 1950s- or 1960s-era Southern ranch house exterior. The first option, the lowest-cost approach, focuses on cosmetic changes while embracing the original ranch style. Key suggestions include retaining decorative ironwork, creating a sweeping curved driveway to redirect guests to the front door, removing shutters, painting window trim a darker color, and enhancing landscaping with substantial trees like magnolias or oaks. Extending the front walkway with attractive materials like crab orchard stone or brick is also recommended to improve accessibility and aesthetic appeal. The mid-cost renovation plan builds upon the lowest-cost option's driveway and landscaping improvements while aiming for a contemporary look that respects the mid-century origins of the house. This plan suggests painting the brick a crisp white and accentuating windows and doors with a dark, almost black color. A notable architectural change involves pulling the entry hall forward and vaulting the ceiling to create a gable, allowing the front door to be accessed from the side under an overhang or porch, without altering the roofline. Removing the decorative ironwork and wrapping steps to create a cantilever design adds a modern flair. Additionally, considering the replacement of large living room windows with steel ones and vaulting interior ceilings are suggested to introduce contemporary sophistication and alleviate the typically low ceilings. For the highest-cost option, the article proposes a complete transformation, moving away from the traditional ranch style to achieve a contemporary yet traditional feel. This plan incorporates all the landscaping and driveway enhancements from the previous options. Significant structural changes include raising the center section of the house to allow for higher ceilings on the lower level and a full second floor, while retaining the side wings. A master suite addition on the left side of the house, featuring wrap-around steel windows, is suggested to introduce architectural interest and abundant natural light. Other high-end details include replacing the large living room window with a steel one, adding oversized gas lanterns above the entry for dramatic effect, and upgrading aluminum gutters to copper with leader boxes for a refined finish. The exterior brick is painted crisp white with dark window and door accents, culminating in a sophisticated, modern home that maintains a sense of tradition. Each plan emphasizes strategic interventions to maximize impact relative to the investment. #RanchHouseRenovation #HomeDesign #BudgetRenovation #MidCenturyModern #ExteriorDesign #LandscapeDesign #ContemporaryHome #HomeImprovement #ArchitecturalDesign

Susannah and Alex Bartko, long-time Atlanta residents, discovered a 1960s ranch house in their desired school district. The property's flat, walk-out backyard and its location on a quiet cul-de-sac were the main attractions, providing an ideal setting for their two young daughters. While the house had good structural integrity, its outdated layout necessitated a renovation. The Bartkos, who enjoy entertaining, sought a home with a seamless flow between rooms. They engaged Melissa Welker of Melissa Lacy Design, a local designer, to manage the renovation. The primary objective was to create a more open floor plan to enhance the home's spaciousness and functionality for the family. Melissa noted that the house required fundamental upgrades and an infusion of character. She integrated inherited and unique pieces to achieve a collected-over-time aesthetic, emphasizing the importance of adding 'soul' and patina alongside improved functionality. The design team drew inspiration from English styles found in design books, which guided the overall decorating scheme. Despite only slightly enlarging the home's original footprint, the team creatively reconfigured the space. The kitchen was relocated to the front of the house, a mudroom was added off the garage, a linen closet was converted into a powder bath, the family room ceiling was vaulted, and the oversized basement was divided into multiple functional areas. Melissa focused on practicality while also incorporating architectural details like trim and casings to add depth. She emphasized the importance of a fluid layout in common areas, stating that a 'dead-end room' should be avoided during gatherings. Intentional design choices, such as high-gloss black double doors with unlacquered brass hardware, added elegance and privacy to pass-through spaces. The entry was anchored by a central table, an unexpected element that creates a traditional foyer feel and offers flexible placement. The front two rooms, typically formal living and dining areas in traditional ranches, were underutilized. Melissa transformed this sun-drenched space, thanks to large bay windows, into the new kitchen and a welcoming sitting room, which also serves as the family's daily dining spot. The decision to move the kitchen to the front was driven by the desire to maximize natural light, a crucial consideration for ranch-style homes. To optimize seating in the kitchen, a banquette and antique breakfast table were positioned flush against the island, which is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Lush, AF-475. Melissa highlighted that the upholstered banquette adds warmth to the kitchen. Blue Willow china, inherited from Susannah’s parents, was displayed on the wall as decor. This connected kitchen and sitting room became the primary living and entertaining space for the family. While the home's main palette consists of neutral tones, Melissa introduced vibrancy through collections, mixed-and-matched throw pillows, art, and fabrics. For instance, the banquette in the kitchen features Lisa Fine Textiles' Calico Floral Stripe. The previously 'scary, eighties-tiled breakfast room' at the back of the house was transformed into a light-filled dining space. This area maintains a formal yet inviting atmosphere with Belgian bluestone flooring, Farrow & Ball's Oval Room Blue (No. 85) on the walls, an Urban Electric Company light fixture, and a round table accommodating up to eight people. Custom fixed-glass doors were installed on both exterior and interior walls of the dining room to allow natural light to penetrate deeper into the house, including the adjacent family room with its brick fireplace. To brighten the family room, the ceiling was vaulted and painted in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove (OC-17), while the walls were painted in Dove Wing (960). Unique pieces, such as a print of 'Strawberry Hill Library' by Dale Goffigon, were chosen for their personal resonance and to create a fresh contrast with existing oil paintings. Melissa updated a passed-down maple chair with a slipcover and velvet cushion for the family room. For symmetry, a locally made sofa from Travis and Company was centered opposite the fireplace, with a second, longer sofa dividing the space from a walkway to the dining area. An ottoman replaced a traditional coffee table to ensure comfort and safety for the children, while also adding texture and pattern to the room. The bright sunroom, a favorite gathering spot, features Benjamin Moore’s Dove Wing paint on the walls and Brandon Beige, 977, on the floor, complemented by playful textiles. Existing windows, a skylight, a rattan sofa from Susannah’s grandparents (refurbished with paint and a new cushion), and a garden stool create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. Downstairs, the awkward basement was made more functional by dividing it into a playroom with ample storage, a gym, and a movie nook with a sectional. This created a secondary entertaining space for family gatherings, specifically for the children. For the younger daughter's bedroom, Melissa incorporated a whimsical custom headboard to elevate a small nook, making it feel cozy and unique. The design process focused on integrating cherished family heirlooms and creating a functional yet character-filled home. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #EnglishDesignStyle #RanchHome #FamilyHeirlooms #KitchenRemodel #FunctionalLayout #AtlantaHomes #SouthernLiving

This article details the renovation of a 1950s ranch-style home in Mountain Brook, Alabama, undertaken by Katie Bee and Seton Marshall with the help of local architect Anna Evans. The family, expecting their second child, sought additional space and a more inviting environment that connected to the outdoors. The renovation aimed for a "leaner, taller, and cleaner" aesthetic while honoring the original ranch design. The exterior updates played a crucial role in transforming the home's functionality and appearance. A new paint job, an expanded entry, a wide front terrace, and tall, light-filled doors at the rear of the house significantly brightened the space and improved the natural flow between indoor and outdoor areas. The new front design, featuring 19-foot-wide stairs that extend to the edge of the house, balances the facade by filling the void beneath a wide window and creating the impression of a traditional front porch without altering the straight roofline. This expansive front area has become a neighborhood gathering spot, facilitating social interactions and providing a space for watching children play. The entrance was made more welcoming with the replacement of a narrow single door with new pecky cypress French doors, which are centered and more visible. The front terrace, measuring 10 by 12 feet, was designed to function as an outdoor living space, accommodating a love seat, two chairs, and a coffee table. This addition was deemed essential for a community that values outdoor socializing. To address the issue of mismatched exterior materials—brick on the front, shingles on the side, and siding on the back—the entire exterior was painted Timid White by Benjamin Moore. This uniform color scheme modernized the house and cohesively unified the different surfaces. Thoughtful landscaping, including neatly manicured boxwoods, was implemented to complement the home's refined appearance, filling gaps under windows and defining the backyard patio. Improvements were also made to the window treatments. The architect addressed the common issue of improperly sized shutters by removing them from two windows and replacing them with an operable, properly sized pair on the far-left window to visually enlarge it. Inside, the typically cramped feel of ranch homes with 8-foot ceilings and limited natural light was overcome by installing three new sets of 7-foot-tall French doors. These doors significantly brighten the interior rooms surrounding the patio and enhance the ease of movement between indoor and outdoor spaces, ultimately fulfilling the family's desire for a more spacious, brighter, and connected home. #HomeRenovation #RanchHouse #ExteriorDesign #ArchitecturalRenovation #OutdoorLiving #HomeMakeover #PaintColors #LandscapeDesign #BeforeAndAfter

The article details the extensive renovation of a traditional ranch home in Louisville's Northfield neighborhood, owned by Julie Metzinger, a designer and project manager at Natalie O Design. The project was a collaborative effort between Metzinger and Natalie Officer, the principal and owner of Natalie O Design, who had developed a close personal and professional relationship prior to the renovation. The primary goal for the renovation was to create a functional and communal space capable of hosting large gatherings, specifically accommodating around 40 people. This need led to a significant 900-square-foot addition, which Officer describes as a "massive dining room," but which serves multiple purposes beyond just eating, including a fireplace room and a community workroom. This space is designed to be the central hub for family and friends' celebrations, embodying the essence of connection and shared experiences. The design process was heavily influenced by Metzinger's personal treasures, such as photographs, books, vases, and other mementos, which she presented to Officer at the project's inception. These items, along with paintings by Metzinger’s mother-in-law, Helen Metzinger, guided the color schemes and overall aesthetic throughout the home. Officer describes the interior design as "kissed by midcentury efforts" but ultimately more elevated and relatable, representing an "artful expression of architecture and interior design together." A key element incorporated into the design is an emphasis on natural light, with Officer noting the belief that natural light fosters growth, much like plants. This philosophy is evident in the living room's extra-large windows and built-in shelving, custom-designed to display Metzinger's cherished items. A significant aspect of the renovation was the deliberate incorporation of local artisans and their craftsmanship. Examples include a custom concrete fireplace crafted by Matt Barber of Louisville Concrete Studio in the living room, and a firewood holder, buffet, and mudroom coat rack created by Louisville metal fabricator Rockerbuilt for the dining room and den. The den also features wood roll art by independent art installer Brandon Harder and a circular wood light from Ovmi Designs, run by an Oldham County native. This focus on local talent underscores a belief in the essential quality of design and the value of individual craftsmanship, a sentiment highlighted by Officer, especially in a time where the distinction between essential and non-essential work is frequently debated. The renovation is characterized by careful thought, extensive collaboration between the homeowner and designer, and the curated selection of each element. Every detail, from the major structural additions to the smallest decorative pieces, was meticulously planned and executed. The project transformed a 1954 ranch-style home into a modern, craftsmen-focused dream house, featuring 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2,950 square feet. The distinctive elements throughout the home include an acrylic and burlwood coffee table by David Bramblett, art by Matthew Metzger, a counter light by Billie Bradford, a marble table by Rockerbuilt, a wood vanity by David Bramblett, and custom pillows by Natalie O Custom Design, among others. The success of the renovation was also supported by contributions from Covenant Construction as the builder, Britney Groneck as the architect, and Perfect Earth for landscaping. Ultimately, the project illustrates a profound transformation of a traditional home into a highly functional, aesthetically cohesive, and deeply personal space, reflecting the homeowner's lifestyle and values while celebrating local artistry and collaborative design. The final outcome is a home that not only meets the practical needs of large family gatherings but also serves as a vibrant expression of art and design, meticulously curated to reflect the owner's personal history and aesthetic preferences. #HomeRenovation #RanchStyleHome #NatalieODesign #LouisvilleDesign #CustomDesign #LocalArtisans #InteriorDesign #CommunalLiving #Craftsmanship

Ben and Josh Collins undertook an extensive renovation of a 1950s ranch-style house in Dallas, a project they hadn't initially sought but embraced due to the prevailing housing market. Their transformation focused on modernizing the traditional ranch structure while preserving its inherent charm. Key modifications included the installation of a vaulted ceiling in the dining room, which significantly expanded the vertical space and introduced an airy feel, contrasting with the typically lower ceilings of mid-century ranch homes. The dining area also saw the addition of bay windows, designed to enhance natural light and offer expansive views of the outdoor landscape, thereby integrating the interior with the exterior. The renovation efforts extended beyond purely aesthetic changes to address functional and structural aspects, bringing the home up to contemporary standards of living. This included an overhaul of the kitchen and bathrooms, introducing modern fixtures, energy-efficient appliances, and updated finishes that blend seamlessly with the home's revitalized aesthetic. The exterior of the house also received considerable attention, with updates to landscaping and the facade to improve curb appeal and complement the interior's modern transformation. The goal was to create a cohesive design that honors the home's original character while injecting it with fresh, modern appeal. The project demonstrates how strategic architectural interventions can dramatically alter the perception and functionality of an older home. By introducing elements like vaulted ceilings and bay windows, the Collinses not only enhanced the visual appeal but also improved the living experience by creating brighter, more open spaces. This renovation serves as an example of how mid-century ranch homes can be adapted to meet the demands of modern families without losing their distinctive historical essence. The transformation reflects a growing trend in real estate where older properties are revitalized to offer contemporary comforts and styles, thereby extending their lifespan and appeal in competitive housing markets. #DallasRenovation #RanchHouseRemodel #MidCenturyModern #HomeTransformation #VaultedCeiling #BayWindows #HousingMarketImpact #ArchitecturalRenovation