Our Portland Estates project began with a familiar question: “How do I make my dated suburban home work for modern living?” Though generous in size, the home lacked character and functionality, so we developed a plan to refresh the entire main level.

Phase one focused on the core living spaces. We reimagined the windows in a clean, modern style, setting the tone for the new aesthetic. A fully redesigned kitchen and a new eat-in nook brought much-needed efficiency for this young family. The laundry and powder rooms were also overhauled, adding smart storage and brightening a once-dark corner of the home.

Phase two elevated the remaining rooms— the formal living and dining spaces—without any construction. Previously underused and filled with hand-me-downs, these areas were transformed through a thoughtful high/low mix of furnishings. A custom oak dining table offers heirloom quality, while accessible accent pieces round out the look. And while the polarizing stucco ceiling remains, embracing it added unexpected charm and allowed us to subtly echo its texture throughout the textiles.

Phase three brought the final two bathrooms up to the standard of the newly refreshed home. Beyond cosmetic upgrades, we focused on meaningful functionality—introducing generous, well-planned storage, improving layout efficiency, and elevating each space with a clean, modern aesthetic.