Turning a dated 1990s home into a fresh, functional modern farmhouse requires vision, patience, and a thoughtful design strategy. This project in Kittery Point, Maine, is a perfect example of how creative reconfiguration and design can completely transform a home for a young family.
Client Story: A Pandemic-Driven Move
Our clients were part of what many call “Urban Flights 2020.” With daycare closures and the sudden shift to remote work, their South Boston home no longer fit their lifestyle. She grew up in Vermont, he in Maine, and his brother was already a past client in Portsmouth.
Moving closer to family while finding more space became a priority. In late 2020, they purchased a 1990s house on 2.84 acres in Kittery Point with seasonal ocean views. Because of Covid precautions, our collaboration began almost entirely virtually, with design meetings over Zoom and limited site access.
Despite the challenges, their decisiveness and enthusiasm made the process smooth.
The Lot: Opportunities and Constraints
The property’s generous size offered privacy and views but came with wetlands restrictions. Before we could add a front porch, the town required a survey to confirm setbacks. While the survey delayed exterior updates, it helped us clarify the building envelope and design within the site’s limits.
Reimagining the 1990s Floor Plan
Like many homes of the era, the interior had too many rooms and awkward transitions. Our redesign focused on creating openness, function, and flow:
-
Kitchen and Dining: We removed the structural wall between these spaces, installing a steel beam to create a large, open kitchen-dining area.
-
Pantry and Powder Room: The oversized laundry room became a new powder room, making space for a walk-in pantry.
-
Family Room: A sunken family room with a strange half-cathedral ceiling was reworked. Flattening the ceiling allowed us to create usable square footage above for the master suite.
Transforming the Second Floor
The upstairs layout was equally challenging. We focused on rethinking the master suite and carving out space for home offices.
-
Master Suite: Added square footage over the family room became a luxurious master bath with a steam shower, double vanity, water closet, and bench. The old master bath/closet footprint became a spacious walk-through closet.
-
Children’s Bathroom: A small, awkward kids’ bath was redesigned for better functionality, adding a second vanity and water closet.
-
Home Offices: Two new offices were essential for remote work. One was carved out of the large rec room above the garage, and the other was created by adding a new gable dormer, which improved curb appeal while creating a light-filled workspace.
The Result: A Modern Farmhouse
What began as a chopped-up 90’s house is now a modern farmhouse with open living spaces, smart storage, and beautiful design features. The home is over 3,000 square feet, with five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a large kitchen, and a mudroom that keeps family life organized.
This project proves that even dated homes can be reimagined into timeless spaces that reflect modern lifestyles — all while staying true to the clients’ vision of comfort, community, and functionality.
