Toh Tv S Auburndale House Before And After

Shown: Red walls set off by white trim offer a dynamic backdrop for the revamped living room. Paint: C2 Paint Wall sconces: Hudson Valley Upholstered furniture: Pearson Furniture Rug: Merida Custom Rugs

Before: Living Room

To get there, they took down walls, added windows, and were even willing to ditch some original details. “Many folks shy away from doing this, but it’s better to replace or rebuild when old materials aren’t of high quality or if the original design interferes with a sensible floor plan,” says TOH general contractor Tom Silva. Read on to see how daring decisions paid off. Shown: Stained knotty pine around the fireplace looked heavy and dark.

After: Playing with Color

Pumpkin walls and a vivid rug add personality to the bumped-out entryway, but they’re not overwhelming. “It can be a challenge to use different colors in an open floor plan without making the house look cartoonish,” says Melissa Gulley, the project’s interior designer. Front door: TruStile Doors Door hardware: Kwikset Security system: Stanley

After: Downstairs Powder Room

Sticking with warm, deep tones did the trick, where a red living room wall meets the powder room and foyer. “These shades complement each other yet make the spaces feel distinct,” says Melissa Gulley Powder room ventilation fan: Broan-NuTone Window treatment fabric: Duralee Window treatment construction: Marylou Fraser

Before: Kitchen

The old kitchen was narrow and isolated from the rest of the house.

Kitchen After: For Cooks and Eaters, Too

The airy new kitchen is much better integrated. A wood-topped island seats the family of four and creates two distinct zones, one for food prep and cooking on the range side, and a second for grabbing snacks on the fridge side. Appliances: GE Cabinets: Premier Custom Built Wood countertop: The Grothouse Lumber Company Backsplash: Tile Showcase

Kitchen After: Designed for Two

“Allison and Raveen cook together, so having an extra prep sink really helps them work efficiently,” says Donna Venegas, the project’s kitchen designer. A microwave tucked under the countertop lets the kids heat up leftovers without assistance. The white color scheme is warmed up by tropical-green accent tile and island cabinets, walls in chocolate brown, red bar stools, and a coordinating window treatment. Granite countertop: Stone Technologies Plumbing fixtures: American Standard Smoke alarms: Kidde

Dining Room After: Tidy Space

The table stayed in the same place, but the arched opening to the kitchen was widened and made square to improve traffic flow between these two areas. “The dining room table is now centered in the opening, which makes for a much better layout,” says TOH general contractor Tom Silva.

Before: Sunporch

The old sunporch boasted terrific views of the Charles River. But at a mere 7 feet deep and lacking insulation, it wasn’t the most comfortable place to hang out.

Sunporch After: A Bright Spot

In its place rose a larger sunroom that opens onto a deck. Walls of windows and stairs that descend from the deck to the backyard add a welcome connection between inside and out. Windows: Andersen Decking: Trex Radiant heat: Uponor High-velocity HVAC: The Unico System

Sunporch After: Places to Gather

With the living room and sunroom acting as a continuous space, the Sharmas have lots of options for socializing with their kids and guests. “We’re casual people. The open floor plan really suits us, and we love how the sunlight pours in here,” says Raveen. Wood flooring: Lumber Liquidators

Before: Basement

The basement was once dominated by an oversize sectional.

Basement After: Comfy and Cozy

Yes, this is a basement. The walk-out, enlarged below the sunroom, now features a TV room and an area for playing games and making crafts. The cabinets were relocated from the dining room and foyer. Closet systems: The Home Depot

Before: Exterior

The existing house’s ho-hum facade needed work.

Exterior After: Big Curb Appeal Boost

Architect Harriet Christina Chu suggested a pergola to add visual appeal and draw attention to the new gabled entry. A small window above it also highlights this focal point. The final touch: a classic neutral color scheme, with a red door that hints at all the lively spaces beyond it. Pergola: Walpole Woodworkers Shutters: Atlantic Premium Shutters Exterior lighting: Hinkley Lighting