Before & After

Discover the Potential Within Existing Spaces

The Phases of Home Renovation and Construction

You are about to take on an extensive home renovation or addition. The excitement has been building for months, maybe years, and now construction is just around the corner. Moving walls, removing chimneys, eliminating staircases…how does any of this actually happen? Let the logic ease your mind.

A circle diagram with annotation illustrating demolition notes in existing photos of a Newton victorian
  • Interior view of the demolition phase in a historic home, showing exposed wall studs and the diagnostic screening of existing structural elements.

    Demolition

    Demolition of homes from the 1800s and early 1900s often reveals conditions that were not visible during the design phase. Hidden structural elements, outdated systems, and unexpected materials beneath walls and floors are common in homes of this era.

    Contingency planning during the design phase helps account for conditions that only become visible once walls and floors are opened. Site visits during demolition are an opportunity for the project team to assess findings and respond accordingly.

  • View of sistering existing floor joists to level out historic home's framing

    Foundation & Framing

    In some renovations, new footings or foundation work are required to support a reconfigured space. Existing conditions in older homes often require corrective work including furring out walls to accommodate new systems and sistering joists where settling has occurred over time.

    Interior partitions, windows, and door openings are framed as this work progresses. This is often the first moment a homeowner can begin to see the proportions and scale of their new space taking shape.

  • The rough-in phase of construction, showing the coordination of electrical and plumbing systems within the new architectural layout.

    Systems Rough-In

    During the systems rough-in phase, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors install the infrastructure that will live behind the walls and ceilings. Wiring, pipes, and ductwork are run to their designated locations before the walls are closed.

    Fixture and finish selections made during the design phase directly inform where these systems are roughed in. Changes after rough-in has begun can be costly and time consuming.

  • New interior walls following board and plaster installation, defining the reimagined spatial volume of the home.

    Board & Plaster

    Board and plaster marks a significant milestone in the renovation process. Once walls and ceilings are insulated, boarded, and plastered, the space begins to feel like a room again.

    Plaster requires a curing period before paint can be applied. The moisture released into the space during this time means hardwood flooring is typically not introduced until curing is complete either. While you wait, you might see tile substrate and waterproofing being prepped in bathrooms and showers.

  • Precision installation of custom sage green cabinetry using laser alignment, highlighting the attention to detail in the final finish phase.

    Finishes

    The finish phase is where the design comes to life. Cabinetry is installed, stone is templated on site and fabricated off site before returning for installation, and plumbing and electrical fixtures are set in place.

    The details matter in this phase. Conversations about alignments, terminations, and spacing between materials are common as each element is considered in relation to the ones around it. This attention to detail is what elevates the final product.

  • The completed open-concept kitchen featuring custom green cabinetry, marble surfaces, and a seamless transition to the living area.

    Final Product

    You watched your home get taken apart and put back together again. What you see now is the result of months of planning, coordination, and an unwavering attention to detail.

    Efficiency and organization throughout the construction process play a significant role in arriving here with the vision intact. The home you imagined on paper is now the home you live in. This is where the drawing comes to life.

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Hamilton Home Addition

Project Scope: Three new volumes extend the kitchen, garage and create a new full stair to basement.

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A white kitchen with stainless steel appliances and brushed nickel and glass pendant lights over island.
Dining area with four chairs and black chandelier with kitchen beyond with white cabinetry with quartzite countertops and large navy island with walnut stained oak coffee cabinet and range hood accents
Existing standard pantry with white adjustable shelving and one white tall cabinet.
Navy butlers pantry with floor to ceiling open shelving and closed cabinetry with a white quartz countertop and herringbone tile backsplash.

Primary Suite Addition

Project Scope: 500sf+ second story addition for relocated primary suite and laundry. Reconstruction of main level for new music room, lounge, mudroom, powder room and side entry. Full exterior facelift with all new windows, doors and Hardie plank siding.

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Front exterior of an existing Dutch colonial-style home in Greater Boston, prior to a comprehensive architectural renovation and two-story addition.
Completed architectural renovation and addition in Greater Boston, featuring a seamless integration of new second story with the original home.
View into backyard from new second story framing of Dutch colonial addition
Interior of new vaulted primary suite in second story addition featuring triple window overlooking lush backyard and sofa reading area.

Victorian Remodel

Project Scope: First and second level renovation including new kitchen, living area, dining room, breakfast nook, mudroom, primary suite and guest bathroom with laundry.

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Dining room with original dark stained wood work in 1800s Newton Victorian home
View of green kitchen cabinetry with butcher block island and custom white range hood from new den following removal of chimney and partition.
Existing kitchen with stained wood cabinetry and large chimney
Large butcher block island with pendants and custom library shelving beyond following removal of chimney and partition.
Original 1846 stair to attic prior to removal.
New primary closet fit out with custom millwork, new window and antique pink pussy willow wall covering.

Kitchen Addition & Ground Level Suite

Project Scope: Ground level and basement renovation including a new kitchen addition featuring vaulted ceilings, custom cabinetry and expansive natural light and a full exterior basement stair walk-out.

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Existing rear of cape style home in Melrose with deck and patio.
Rear facade with new vaulted addition, large picture window and deck.
Existing view upon entry in cape style home in Melrose, MA.
Renovated view of open dining room to kitchen with large black oak stained island and beige cabinetry.

Project Insight: Relocating A Kitchen

If it’s not working, stop forcing it. Evaluating the potential of the spaces within your existing home is the first step to protecting your investment. The project above illustrates the impact of moving a complex space, like a kitchen, to a new area of the home versus renovating in place with fewer options.

Indoor Sports Facility Renovation

Project Scope: Complete reconfiguration of men’s and women’s locker rooms, storage areas, circulation and renovation of racquetball courts to pickleball.

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Original metal lockers in dated athletic facility locker room.
Changing area in newly renovated locker room with built-in lockers and integrated locks, make-up vanity and benches in a blue, green and gray color palette.
Large open space with piles of demolished cinder block during construction of new indoor pickleball courts
Aqua, navy and purpled colored pickleball courts with gray walls in an indoor athletic facility.

Project Insight: Construction Phasing

Phasing a construction project is not always straightforward. Here are four questions worth asking before you decide.

  • How isolated are the area of work from one another?

  • If there is overlap, what can we anticipate would need to be reworked as a result of phasing the construction?

  • Do these spaces share building systems that would be impacted by construction now or in the future?

  • What are potential design limitations that we could encounter if the project is not built all at one time?

Kitchen Addition

Project Scope: 200sf+ kitchen and powder room addition, secondary bathroom remodel, new deck and hardscape.

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Rear of Dutch colonial home in Medford with deck prior to kitchen addition.
Blue exterior kitchen addition with triple windows and gable roof with a patio and deck flanking both sides.
Original, dark early 1900's kitchen painted yellow and white with small sink window over sink.
Light filled kitchen addition with stained wood work, white custom inset cabinetry and island seating for two.

Retail Fit Out

Project Scope: Four story 1812 vacant Boston building restored with two levels of retail space, employee conference rooms, product storage and prep areas.

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Original entry vestibule to old downtown Boston restaurant with dim lighting and exposed beams.
Warmly lit entry vestibule with exposed heavy timber beams, a waterfall granite check-in counter and sliding window.
Original heavy timber beams over dusty old bar in downtown Boston prior to renovation.
Textured green tile faced cash wrap with large black and glass custom displays behind the counter and heavy timber beams above.

Medford Whole Home Remodel

Project Scope: Including new primary suite, kitchen remodel and secondary bathroom remodel.

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Empty bedroom with amber floors, sliding doors to closet and double hung windows.
Full bathroom from bedroom conversion with modified double hung windows, teak vanity, charcoal blue tile floors and custom walk-in shower.
Antique pink tiled bathroom with roll in shower and small vanity.
Blue and white tiled bathroom with custom shower, shampoo niche and white vanity with sconces and mirror above.
Dated kitchen with white cabinetry, old appliances and linoleum floor with small cased opening to dining room.
Expansive white kitchen with periwinkle blue accent cabinetry and black hardware with a rich brown coffered ceiling treatment in the open dining room beyond.

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A Note from Olivia: Every project is different. The information shared here is meant to inform and inspire as you prepare for your own renovation journey. Construction is a dynamic process and your contractor, architect, and other licensed professionals will bring their own approaches and expertise to your specific project. This is not a substitute for the professional guidance of the licensed professionals on your team.