When our empty-nester clients were ready to downsize from their large family home, they found a small 1950s cottage in an ideal in-town neighborhood and charged us with bringing new life to the tired but timeless home. Our sympathetic exterior renovation began by simplifying details and proportions, replacing and updating worn-out materials, and adding moments of character to dial up the charm and street presence. On the inside, we reorganized the floorplan by creating new kitchen and bedroom spaces within the home’s existing footprint; we accentuated the character of existing rooms by adding subtle architectural detail and refinement, always considerate and respectful of the intimate scale of the spaces. The home is now once again a beloved icon in its neighborhood and a jewel box for our clients to enjoy.