Amazing Exterior Renovations – Part 1

Many of our projects begin with a totally clean slate — bringing a client’s vision to life by designing a brand new and completely custom home. But starting from scratch isn’t always necessary. When the location of a home is just right, or an existing home is rich with historic details, a client may choose to renovate instead. Over the years, we’ve had several opportunities to renovate historic homes in stunning locations — blending classic New England charm with the style and needs of a modern family.

Read on to learn more about some of our favorite exterior renovations…

Coastal Dream – Before

Coastal Dream – After | Photo by Rob Karosis

This expansive coastal estate was built in the early 1900s as a summer home for a family living in Boston. Then the 1990s, an addition was built on the original home that did not do justice to the character and quality of the original home. When TMS Architects was brought on for an extensive interior and exterior renovation, our goal was to preserve the charm of the original exterior of the early 1900s portion of the home. We added windows, shutters, roofing, siding, all new trim, stone veneer, new deck, patio and poolscape, extensive landscape, cupola, stone arches and an entry canopy. Today, it’s a coastal dream home, merging traditional details and modern features beautifully. 

Carriage House – Before

Carriage House – After | Photo by Michael J Lee

This carriage house is located on an estate that was designed renowned landscape designer Fredrick Law Olmstead in the late 1800s — a truly special location for a design buff! However, additions were added to the rear in the 1950s and 1970s that were not well connected to the core of the existing historical portion of the home. Our intent was to maintain the shingle “style” nature of the existing house as well as some features that were unique to the carriage house. We added tapered shingle columns, cranberry windows, shingle flared gable ends, and a timber framed pool house to capture that classic aesthetic. We were also able to restore the original cupola and use it on the newly renovated home. 

Ocean Views – Before

Ocean Views – After | Photo by Rob Karosis

While this home’s location on Maine’s coast is unbeatable, years of proximity to the ocean and neglect left it in rough shape. A stone and rubble foundation allowed water under the house, and the interior spaces were small and unwelcoming. To add to the challenge, the house was not permitted to be razed due to local zoning regulations. Instead, we had to get creative to transform this seaside home.

We lifted the house so a new full waterproof foundation and first floor structure was added. We also stripped and replaced the entire exterior. Inside, we gutted the house to create a more open and inviting layout and maximize the beautiful ocean view. 

Original home – 1890s

Updated in 1920s