When Amanda and Marcus D. purchased their Arlington home more than ten years ago, it was a compact Cape. As their family grew to include three children, the house no longer supported the way they wanted to live. Over the years, we partnered with them on multiple renovations, first converting their Cape into a center entrance colonial with an unfinished 3rd floor walk up attic. Then we returned and converted the third floor into valuable living space while also adding a mudroom in the walkout basement. This latest phase focused on transforming the first floor into a more open, connected environment while significantly upgrading the aesthetics.
A Complete First-Floor Reconfiguration
This renovation went far beyond cosmetic updates. We rethought how the entire first floor functioned.
Key changes included:
- Relocating the kitchen to the rear of the home
- Removing walls between the front and back rooms to create one continuous living, dining, and kitchen space
- Converting the former kitchen into a home office
- Creating a new front living room anchored by a gas fireplace
- Renovating the first-floor bathroom—while keeping it in its original location
- Adding direct access to a new patio
The result is a layout that feels open, intuitive, and well suited to daily family life.
It’s just so lovely. It feels so good to be in this space as a family – it really fits us. I love cooking in the new kitchen.”
- Amanda D.
BEFORE
Left: The original family room will soon become the new kitchen.
Middle: The original first-floor full bathroom in its pre-renovation glory.
Right: The original kitchen will transform into an office.
Discovering Opportunity Mid-Construction
During demolition, we uncovered previously unused attic space above the new kitchen. Rather than closing it off, we worked with the homeowners to incorporate a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, dramatically increasing the sense of volume and natural light.
“We knew there was attic space up there, but it didn’t fully come into the design until we opened everything up,” Bill explained. “Once we saw the potential, it was clear it was worth the investment.”
Left: Unused attic space above the area when the new kitchen will be place.
Right: The ceiling is lofted and features wood beams.
A Kitchen Designed for Everyday Living
With three children between the ages of three and twelve, the kitchen needed to be both beautiful and highly functional. The new layout improves flow, provides generous storage, and connects directly to the outdoor patio for easy entertaining.
By relocating the kitchen and opening the floor plan, the once choppy first floor now supports cooking, gathering, and everyday family life in one cohesive space.
A Playful Bathroom with Personality
While much of the home leans warm and classic, the first-floor bathroom embraces a more graphic, playful aesthetic.
“I wondered at first if it matched the rest of the house,” Amanda said. “But your home should be a combination of what you love. This bathroom just makes me happy!”
Custom Details That Reflect the Family’s Style
Amanda brought years of inspiration to the project, including the use of repeating arches as a unifying design element. An arched bar niche in the kitchen pairs with matching arches flanking the fireplace in the living room, creating a cohesive architectural rhythm throughout the first floor.
“Jane [Custom’s in-house designer] took images I had saved for years and brought them to life,” Amanda said. “Everyone who comes over comments on how unique it is.”
Marcus’ favorite feature might be the custom bar with integrated draft beer system!
The new gas fireplace—featuring a mantelpiece repurposed from another project—adds warmth and character to the front living room while supporting a more sustainable approach to materials.
A Long-Term Partnership
Because this was our third project with this family, we were able to build on a strong foundation of trust and communication. That familiarity helped us navigate the typical small delays that come with any renovation while keeping the overall process smooth and predictable.
“We knew what to expect,” Amanda said. “We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with Bill and the team over the years.”
The finished first floor is brighter, more open, and thoughtfully tailored to the way this family lives—proof that a well-planned, phased renovation can transform a home over time.