When looking to add new space, consider view and access.

So often a big hunk of space is slammed onto the back of the house with little thought to traffic and the possibility of blocking views from the original house.

PROBLEM

This ranch home had a spectacular view of a major river. The living room (A) had the primary view and had access to a balcony (B) that extended the length of the house.

Unfortunately, the kitchen (C) was oriented toward the street and also served as the entry hallway (D) from the garage (E). It was small, cramped and outdated. The front door (F) entered into a narrow hall (G), making this entry insignificant.

The homeowner wanted to have a large, family-friendly kitchen with a view. Connection to the living area held importance for family gatherings and general entertaining.

SOLUTION

The home had a walkout basement (H), making an addition out the back difficult and expensive because it would have to be two stories. The homeowner had been thinking of claiming the existing garage space (E) and building a new garage (I) toward the street and away from the view.

This was a very sound idea. We needed to raise the garage floor to be level with the house floor (J). All of the new plumbing and electric could be run under this floor.

The new kitchen (K) has lots of counter space, including an eat-on island, with the diners facing the view. With three windows over the sink, wall cabinets are minimal, but we added a huge pantry (L) and additional cabinetry (M). Two skylights (N) pull natural light throughout the kitchen.

A large screened porch (O) on piers is just beyond the kitchen is the main location for dining and entertaining in the summer. French doors (P), not sliders, create a five-foot opening for family or party traffic.

A deck (Q) connects the balcony (B) and the screened porch (O). This is the grill spot.

Extremely important in our planning, traffic patterns were addressed — both for everyday family and also for guests. A real family entry (R) consumed a corner of the old garage (E). This entry features a recess for shoes, room for a bench and hooks. The large coat closet (S) is shared by both the family entry (R) and the new foyer (T), which claims the old kitchen (C).

The homeowner wanted to line the new front door up with one of the existing sliding glass doors (U), for a dramatic view when people come in. To create a nice entry, we added a gable roof porch (V). A path and landscaping finish the entry experience.

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Note: Marcia Lyon will be in the Ann Arbor area July 7-10. You may contact her at Marcia@creatingspaces.net or at 515-991-8880 to set up a consultation.

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Marcia Lyon is a professional remodeling designer and freelance writer, producing projects locally and several other areas across the U.S. and Canada. Her new book on remodeling design, “The Essential Planner for Home Remodeling,” is available at www.creatingspaces.net. You may contact her at Marcia@creatingspaces.net or at 515-991-8880 to set up a consultation.