An active family of four had outgrown their house on a large, beautifully landscaped lot. Most of their time was spent in two separate rooms, a tiny den and a kitchen too small to comfortably accommodate a table.

The existing landscaping for most of the yard was mature and lush, but the area just outside of the back of the house was limited to concrete paving and a stark covered porch that the family rarely used. The existing traditional center hall colonial is updated by removing a first floor exterior structural wall, allowing expansion of the floor plan to accommodate a light filled kitchen, family room, breakfast room and music room.

Fresh, contemporary detailing using columns and built-ins defines these spaces while keeping them open to each other. A new opening connects the existing formal living room with the new spaces. Other details include a palette of warm and natural colors and finishes, and custom built-ins in the mudroom, music room, and living room.

Wrap around windows and terrace doors in the family room and music room create natural interior light at all times of day and strong indoor outdoor links to new stone terraces and landscaping adjacent to the house.