This Cedarbrook project started with a home that had been sitting vacant for nearly a decade. The owners had held onto it for years, but by the time we stepped in, it was clear the next chapter would require a full reset. Nothing had been updated since it was built in 1970. Every surface, every system, every finish reflected that original era.
Homes like this can feel overwhelming at first. You walk in and start mentally adding up everything that needs attention. But there’s also a certain clarity that comes with a true gut renovation. Instead of working around layers of past updates, we had the opportunity to start fresh and make decisions that would carry the home forward for the next owner.
Taking It Down to the Studs
We approached this renovation with a clean slate mindset. The goal wasn’t to patch or refresh—it was to rebuild the home in a way that felt cohesive from room to room.
The flooring was one of the first major decisions. While there were some original hardwoods in parts of the home, the rest was a mix of dated materials that didn’t connect well. We removed everything and ran new hardwoods throughout the entire house. That single move changed how the home felt immediately. Continuous flooring has a way of making a space feel larger and more intentional without altering the footprint.
Opening the Core of the Home
The layout had potential, but it felt closed off where it mattered most. The kitchen and dining room were separated by a wall that limited both light and flow.
We removed that wall to create a more open connection between the kitchen, dining area, and den. It wasn’t about chasing trends—it was about improving how the space functions day to day. With that wall gone, we were able to rework the kitchen layout entirely.
Appliances were repositioned to make more sense for cooking and gathering, and we introduced a proper vent hood as a focal point. Sightlines improved across the main living areas, so now when you’re in the kitchen, you’re connected to what’s happening in the den and beyond. It’s a subtle shift on paper, but in person, it changes everything.
A Complete Kitchen Reimagined
The kitchen was taken down to the studs and rebuilt from the ground up. There wasn’t much worth saving, which can actually make the process more straightforward.
We focused on creating a layout that feels natural to move through, with enough workspace to handle everyday use without feeling crowded. Cabinetry, countertops, and fixtures were selected to keep the space feeling light and grounded at the same time.
One thing we often see in older homes is a kitchen that feels like its own separate zone. Here, the goal was the opposite. Now it feels like part of the home, not apart from it.
Bathrooms Built for Today
Both bathrooms followed a similar path—they were completely reworked. The original layouts and finishes didn’t align with how people use these spaces now, so we rethought each one from the ground up.
We kept the designs clean and straightforward, focusing on durable materials and layouts that feel comfortable without being overcomplicated. Updated tile work, new vanities, and modern fixtures brought everything in line with the rest of the home.
There’s a noticeable difference when a bathroom feels cohesive with the rest of the house instead of like a leftover from another time.
Bringing the Home Back to Life
Projects like this are less about small upgrades and more about giving a home a second life. After sitting vacant for so long, this one needed more than cosmetic work—it needed direction.
We’ve worked on quite a few homes in similar situations, and there’s always a moment near the end where it clicks. The dust is gone, the finishes are in, and you can finally see how everything connects. This Cedarbrook home had that moment in a big way.
What was once a dated, closed-off house from the 1970s is now a bright, functional home ready for its next owner. And for the sellers, it meant being able to pass it along with confidence, knowing it had been thoughtfully rebuilt for the years ahead.
