Larry Cunningham of Kailua Cabinets constructed the built-ins in the den and living room to keep items, including televisions, neatly tucked away.

Near the entrance of the home, the mudroom serves as a drop-zone for everyday items like shoes and sports equipment.

Tara and Dean moved into their 1950s ranch-style home as a young couple. Ten years and two children later, the couple realized their home needed more space to accommodate their family’s growing needs. “The house had been loved over the years,” Tara says, “but it definitely still needed some additional support.”

Tara wanted to preserve the integrity of the home and keep it in style with the other homes in the area. She enlisted the help of building firm Barker Kappelle Construction, which she learned about through Lisa Kelso of Kelso Architects. “We actually met with quite a few builders, and Barker Kappelle was hands-down one of the most impressive firms,” she says. “They were just so thoughtful from the very first meeting.” Tara also brought in designers Laura Van Ribbink and Karen Turran, of Interior Editing, to round out her team.

To start, the Barker Kappelle team intended to carry out a master-suite and garage addition and re-side the existing walls. However, upon further investigation, they discovered extensive termite and water damage. What started off as an addition soon became a whole-home renovation.

When planning for the renovation, Tara and Dean considered what they needed most. High on the couple’s wish list was built-in storage to maximize space efficiency. “Because our home has a small, charming feeling, we needed to be able to achieve space for everything in the house,” Tara says. They also wanted a roomier master suite, a home office and outdoor living space. Above all, they wanted a home where they could enjoy one another’s company without the messes and stresses of everyday life getting in the way.

The team got to work, with lots of input from artistically inclined Tara. “I enjoy the creative process, and this was so much fun for me,” she says. They converted the old master bedroom into the den (top), which serves as the kids’ gathering place. “It is really family-oriented. It’s where we have board games, video games, TV and books,” Tara says.

Barker Kappelle also built a mudroom (above, left), which Tara calls “the beach drop,” between the garage and the laundry area. “There are lots of little hooks, nooks and baskets where we’re able to store items like school backpacks and shoes,” Tara says. “It’s just really functional storage space for the kids and for the laundry zone.” In addition, the team installed a new master suite and garage, all while preserving the home’s charming feel.

In the end, Tara and Dean got just what they wanted: a clutter-free home with ample storage that allows them to enjoy their time together. “It’s nice to have the familiarity in the house with a remodel, and to have embellished it to make it that much more functional,” Tara says. 



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