Projects
Bedroom Needed: To move or Not To Move
It’s almost a given that when a family grows, so does their need for another bed, bath, more space for more clothes, more toys and more stuff.
When Jeff and Deanna Guy moved to Williamson County six years ago, they never imagined that they’d need another bedroom so soon after building. When Deanna became pregnant with their fourth child, however, they realized they wanted five bedrooms.
Naturally, the family considered moving. But, they liked their neighborhood, the location and the size of the yard. And after weighing the financial pros and cons, including moving costs, they opted to stay put and remodel.
Because they were setback restrictions on their lot, the Guys couldn’t add to the first floor. Fortunately, there was unused space on the second floor.
Tucked in the back of a walk-in closet inside 5-year-old Madeline’s bedroom was a door that led to the floored attic space over the master bedroom and dining room ceilings. And above the second-floor ceiling, there was even more unused space.
Their architect, Elizabeth Poag, created a very logical path to what has become 11-year-old Danielle’s bedroom.
After interviewing builders, the Guys chose David Crane of Crane Builders to handle the project.
Recently, Crane won a Chrysalis Award for this project and was also named Remodeler of the Year for the fourth time a row, a competition sponsored by several companies, including Qualified Remodeler, a national trade magazine.
Poag’s first hurdle was to create access to the new bedroom without going through Madeline’s bedroom. The solution? Juggle the space. Poag captured square footage for a new open hallway from the back of Madeline’s existing bathroom and walk-in closet. The hallway is open to the foyer and connects to the second-story landing.
With several new windows, the new space is bright and inviting, thanks to help from interior designer Beth Haley. There are built-ins inside the dormer and under the eaves to maximize every inch of additional 532 square feet. To access the third floor, Crane built a custom ship-style ladder to a loft that Danielle uses to watch television or play her electric piano. From that loft, the Guys gained another access door (there’s already a pull-down staircase on the second floor) to the massive attic under the home’s steep roof. Under the loft, Crane added a built-in desk with drawers.
To make the space flow, Poag eliminated Madeline’s existing bath and used the space for her closet. Her old closet became her bath vanity area and now connects to a new built in the corner of the attic.
The new bath connects to a new separate vanity for Danielle and then, from there, into Danielle’s new bedroom. Crane tied the new bath’s plumbing to the master bath below. To hide all of the HVAC ductwork, add additional support and to level the floor over the dining room’s trey ceiling he raised the floor in the new space.
An existing false dormer was called into use in Danielle’s bedroom, while the bath’s new dormer window was fitted with glass block to allow light to flood the spacious shared bath.
With three small children at the time, Jeff and Deanna wanted to keep their daily routine as undisturbed as possible. Crane achieved that by sealing off the construction area with plastic. (In some cases, he’s even built temporary wood walls with locking doors so parents have access to the construction space.) And as difficult as it sounds, Crane and his crews accessed the work site by climbing up scaffolding and in through the existing second-floor dormer.
In the end, the Guys’ family grew from three to now four children ranging in age from 2 to 11. And their home grew from 4,868 to 5,400 square feet. The cost of the project was around $94,000 due to the need for an additional HVAC unit, additional structural supports and the numerous built-ins.
“David probably costs a little more, but I wouldn’t go with anyone else. He took care of us,” Deanna said.
Already, the couple is considering plans to expand to the third floor. All that space is waiting to be finished.