CASE STUDY

The Maxwell Renovation

This renovation was about breathing new life into an older structure.

A previously compartmentalized plan was completely transformed to function better for a growing family in a great neighborhood.

Two-story gray house with a porch, lit interior, and wooden stairs, surrounded by a lawn and trees at dusk.
Interior view of a staircase with wooden steps and black metal railing, decorated with potted plants at the bottom and framed abstract artwork on the wall, with a minimalistic and modern aesthetic.
A kitchen with a black marble countertop, green cabinetry, and white tile backsplash. Open wooden shelves hold brown dishes, plants, and kitchenware. There are various potted plants on the windowsill and hanging planters near a window. Decorative tiles with geometric patterns are on the backsplash near the center.

This 1925 bungalow sat neglected for years, and a previous flip had removed what little original charm remained on the interior.

This gave us the freedom to rethink how the space could be better utilized.

Floor plan of a house showing room layouts, doors, and windows.
Architectural floor plan of a house with rooms, furniture, outdoor patio, and garden.
A detailed house floor plan with indoor and outdoor living spaces, including bedrooms, living rooms, kitchen, dining area, bathrooms, and outdoor patio with furniture and landscaping.

We started by reconfiguring the front porch to function not only for the family, but also as a stage for Oakhurst Porchfest.

The former living room was converted into the entry space with stairs connecting to the new second story. To better connect the interior with the spacious backyard, the east side of the plan was reworked to introduce generous public zones and welcoming entertainment areas.

Relocating the kitchen to the back corner reinforced this connection and created a pivot point to the new dining room and the often-utilized screen porch.

While the primary bedroom & bathroom were kept mostly unchanged, introducing a Murphy bed gave the space new flexibility as both an office and guest suite.

The newly added second story brought in more bedrooms and bathrooms, along with a dramatic play/study area that looks out over the neighborhood.

A cozy home interior with a dog sleeping on a wooden staircase, surrounded by houseplants, framed abstract art on the wall, a large window letting in natural light, and a wooden bench along the window.

A once-beloved oak tree stood in the front yard until a tragic lightning strike brought it down.

The tree got a new purpose after its wood was salvaged and used for built-ins, stair risers, and other interior details throughout the house.

Bright living room with large gray sectional sofa, black leather lounge chair with matching ottoman, wooden armchair, coffee table, and windows with yellow curtains, decorated with potted plants, wall art, and a ceiling fan.

By exposing the floor structure above, we eliminated the need for a flat, uninspired ceiling—and costly decorative beams—in the open kitchen and living area. The result is a dramatic, lofty feel that elevates the entire space.

  • Front elevation showing front porch of renovated house.

    Front Elevation.

  • Front Door image of renovated house.

    Front Door.

  • View of entry with piano nook looking into open concept living room and kitchen of renovated house.

    Entry view to living room.

  • View of living room with TV nook looking into entry with stairs of renovated house.

    living room view to entry.

  • View of kitchen looking from living room of renovated house.

    Open Living Room and Kitchen.

  • View of backyward through corner windows in renovated kitchen.

    Kitchen corner.

  • Modern kitchen with white and black cabinetry, large marble island, wooden floors, natural light from large windows, and open shelving with plants and dishes.

    Kitchen transition to screen porch.

  • View of screen porch looking toward backyard showing fireplace in renovated house.

    Screen porch.

  • View of murphy bed in guest bedroom of renovated house

    Murphy Bed.

  • View of upstairs playroom and desk area overlooking the neighborhood from the renovated house.

    Upstairs playroom.

  • View of the back of the house showing the new second floor and the screen porch addition with fireplace.

    Rear elevation.

before pictures:

  • Front elevation original exterior design.

    Previous front Elevation.

  • Previous coal-burning fireplace in living room

    Previous fireplace.

  • View toward original kitchen from dining room.

    Previous kitchen from dining room.

  • Original kitchen.

    Previous kitchen.

  • View from rear bedroom toward back yard.

    Rear bedroom toward back yard.

  • View of original back of house.

    Previous back of house.

A man with glasses and a beard smiling in a kitchen, wearing a striped shirt and a navy blazer, standing in front of a window with a garden outside.

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All “after” photographs this page by Ben Farnham.

Artwork featured courtesy of Spalding Nix Fine Art and Gregg Irby Gallery.