This project began as a modest 2-bedroom home with limited space and big dreams. The homeowners wanted more room to live comfortably, accommodate their beloved pets, and enjoy the outdoors year-round without leaving the comfort of home. Our team at Model Remodel took on the challenge, designing and building a horizontal first-floor addition that completely transformed the home’s footprint and daily function.
The remodel added over 500 square feet of living space, designed to expand the home outwards instead of upwards. This decision was key to preserving the home’s original charm and working within zoning and structural limitations. It also introduced some unique challenges, especially when integrating the new roofline with the existing structure. Our team worked carefully to ensure longevity, proper drainage, and seamless visual continuity between the old and new portions of the house.
The Perfect Primary Suite
The new addition includes a spacious primary suite, a full laundry room, and two large closets that offer convenience and generous storage. The primary bedroom is light-filled and cozy, balanced by thoughtful design details that add charm and calm to the space. One of the standout features of the addition is the new primary bathroom, a beautiful space with a large walk-in shower with low-threshold entry for accessibility, and a double walnut vanity with frameless, custom cabinetry featuring beautifully rounded edges. The overall palette is cool and modern, but not without personality – the pink and teal green colors add a unique charm.
The “Catio” – Covered Outdoor Patio for Both Pets and Humans
In tandem with the interior expansion, we also reimagined an outdoor space that began as a playful idea and became a true highlight of the home. The “catio,” as it’s affectionately called, started off as a pet-focused outdoor zone, but grew into a versatile all-season covered porch that both humans and pets can enjoy. With durable welded steel mesh and screened walls, the space is secure yet breezy, allowing for safe outdoor lounging with the cats. The Dutch door, salvaged and repurposed from the original exterior of the home, adds a rustic charm and connects the new structure with the home’s history. A custom pet door, designed to accommodate both cats and small dogs, provides easy access from the laundry room and litter area straight to the catio.
BEFORE & AFTER
New Laundry Room, Refreshed Bathroom
This project also included a refresh of the home’s original full bathroom, where we introduced a tranquil celadon green tile that brings a fresh, spa-like quality to the space while remaining true to the home’s personality. As with the rest of the house, we made sure this bathroom told a story, one that complements the new design while standing on its own. Vintage-inspired wallpaper adds character in just the right places, with each room getting its own unique print, from the bedroom to bathrooms.
Designing horizontally came with its own set of challenges, especially when it came to preserving the existing roofline and blending the old with the new. Matching roof angles, flashing details, and drainage solutions required precision and problem-solving at every step. Sourcing the right materials for the screened outdoor area, particularly the mesh that would be strong, safe, and visually appropriate, also took extra coordination, but the results speak for themselves.
The final result is a home that feels significantly larger and more functional, without losing its original warmth and charm. It’s a perfect blend of practical improvements and personal touches, from spacious closets and smart pet features to vintage wallpaper and a catio that’s truly one-of-a-kind. This project is a testament to how thoughtful remodeling can honor a home’s past while building toward its future.
