Let’s take a look back at the Rye Colonial Renovation, a full-home renovation we completed just minutes away from the beaches in Rye, NH. We began this project in 2018 for a young couple with two small kids, and right from the start, we knew this home was full of potential. This classic colonial had great bones and just simply needed the right vision (and quite a few updates) to truly work for their growing family.
The Backstory
When our clients first reached out, they had a long but very reasonable list of needs. They were looking to do a full home renovation which included tearing down an old addition and building a new and improved one in its place. They also wanted new windows and exterior siding, an upgraded roof, HVAC system, a full kitchen renovation, mudroom, and updates to the primary suite. While they loved their current home, they knew it needed better function and flow for their family of four.
The existing single-story addition on the left side of the house was basically falling apart. Structurally, it was in rough shape, so we tore it down and rebuilt it. We designed the new addition with the same footprint, but this time with two stories. On the first floor of the addition, we added a bright and open playroom for the kids, and upstairs, we created a new home office and primary bathroom. The original primary bedroom stayed as is, but with these additions, it all finally made sense together.
Floor Plan Challenges
When it came to the original layout of the home, it definitely had some quirks. Most notably, there was an elevation change between the garage and the first floor with an awkward hallway that connected the garage to the house. We completely reworked that part of the floor plan to create a proper mudroom and, in doing so, gained an extra three feet in the kitchen. (Three feet might not sound like much, but in a kitchen, it’s everything!)
The rest of the home required a full gut-renovation, all the way down to the studs. We spent some time walking through the structural updates, and the floor plan went through a few rounds of revisions before it felt just right. Once our architectural renderings were finalized, we submitted them to the town for approval. Because of the new addition, we needed a variance, and fortunately, our client is an attorney and was able to handle that process fairly quickly. With the variance in place, the rest of the project moved forward smoothly. Our clients were fast and confident decision-makers, which helped us stay on track and maintain steady progress from start to finish.
Materials & Finishes
Once the structural work was complete, we moved on to the fun part.. materials! The design leaned classic with a modern touch. We went with white oak floors, white subway tile in the kitchen, and quartz countertops—all clean, timeless materials that worked really well with the home’s character. The exterior got a major upgrade too, with fresh white clapboard siding that gave the house a totally new (but still traditional) look.
Here are a few stand-out selections from the kitchen renovation:
- Lighting – Athens 12″ Wide Pendant by Innovations Lighting
- Faucet – Cassidy Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet by Delta
- Pot Filler – Traditional Wall Mounted Pot Filler with Dual Swing Joints by Delta
- Sink – 27” Undermount Single Basin Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink by ZLINE
- Surround Cabinetry Color – Simply White OC-117 by Benjamin Moore
- Island Cabinetry Color – Symphony Blue 2060-10 by Benjamin Moore
- Cabinetry Hardware – Grayson 1-¼ Inch Mushroom Cabinet Knob by Emtek
- Backsplash – Color Wheel Classic – 3’x6” Rectangle Wall Tile by Daltile
From the thoughtful finishes to the overall layout, every detail came together to reflect a clean, traditional style that still feels fresh and family-friendly. The project took about a year from start to finish, wrapping up in 2019, just before the pandemic changed how we all live in our homes.
Looking back, this renovation is a great example of what’s possible when timeless design choices, a clear vision, and a strong client relationship all come together. If you’re ready to transform your own space, we’d love to help. Schedule a free consultation with us to explore the steps needed to bring your home back to life!
