Six houses, start to finish

A 1960s brick ranch gained a full second story, a floating staircase in a two-story atrium, and an exterior nobody would recognize, without the owners ever moving out.

A main floor opened around a new fireplace and built-ins, a custom wet bar, a copper roof, and steel windows, built for a family that entertains often.

A two-story addition doubled the square footage while the original main level came down to the studs, with ceilings raised from eight feet to ten.

A rear porch expanded into a covered, heated outdoor living room with a full outdoor kitchen and gas fireplace, plus a new office and renovated bath upstairs.

Two rooms gutted and rebuilt: the kitchen opened toward the living area, and the primary bath finally worth spending time in.

Better flow and more light in an old house, with an arched opening and built-ins detailed carefully enough to read as original.