Historic neighborhoods in great locations are very appealing, yet these small cottages often fall short of meeting modern living needs. This was the challenge one Greymark Design + Build client faced.

Their beloved home in Houston's Montrose neighborhood was full of character but lacked the necessary space for their growing family. Their small, segmented house with its cramped kitchen and absence of a primary suite couldn't accommodate these needs. 

Our brilliant building designer Jorge Arreola collaborated closely with the homeowners to develop innovative solutions that preserved the home's character while expanding it to suit the couple's lifestyle and keeping within budget. 

This project is a prime example of how thoughtful design can transform a space without sacrificing the charm that attracted homeowners in the first place. 

Expanding Space for Modern Living by Going Up 

Our clients approached Greymark Design + Build at a crossroads. They adored their home and its walkable community, but the space no longer met their needs. The famiiy house hunted in their area for two years but never found what they needed. Plus, the homeowner inherited the home from a beloved family member.

"They loved that house like it was a part of their family," recalls Kelly Kirk. "It was an emotional journey, and they trusted us to guide them through it."  

After deciding to stay where they loved in a house that meant so much to them, they reached out to us for solutions. By adding a second floor for the primary suite and office space, the renovated and new space expanded the total area, creating better flow in the downstairs living zones, and enhancing the homeowners’ space for both daily living and entertaining.  

Collaborative Design and Trust 

 At Greymark, we emphasize a collaborative process, and this project exemplified that.

"Our clients had such a sentimental attachment to the home, while also understainding they needed more than it offered, so their trust in our vision was the highest compliment," Kelly explains. 

The design process combined their desires with our expertise, resulting in a space that truly reflected their family's needs. One standout feature was maintaining the same charming facade so the house still looked like their home. 

"The client needed an area to work from home, but there was not budget for a whole study. They wanted something away from the hustle of the main living rooms, so we created an upstairs built in library and desk space that got them what they needed, within budget, plus it offered nice natural light," Jorge says.

Overcoming Challenges with Innovative Solutions 

Every remodeling project presents challenges, and this was no different. Preserving the original features such as original shiplap while opening up spaces and adding a second floor created some challenges.

With careful planning, we restored and repaired the original hardwoord floors, created a space for a movable storage island that was very important to the homeowners, and even their beloved pet's catio got an upgrade. All in all, we preserved and expanded the home's historic charm. 

The Emotional Reveal 

The culmination of this project brought relief and joy to everyone involved.

"It's not like HGTV," Kelly admits, "but the satisfaction of delivering on our promise always feels rewarding."

For the clients, moving into their reimagined home marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that Greymark proudly embraced. 

We’re sensitive and aware that we’re dealing with people’s three biggest things: their home, money, and family.

Kelly Kirk

This sentiment embodies the Greymark promise to be there every step of the way, ensuring that each project focuses on building and creating spaces where families can thrive. 

If you are the Houston area and ready to create spaces where your family can thrive, connect with us.