Architect Duo Dickinson's new book Staying Put shows practical ways of reworking a house in order to make it more livable. Before photos by Dickinson and after photos by Mick Hales.
Sometimes it works best to keep everything open. In this after photo of a remodeled kitchen, shelves replaces upper cabinets and an open steel pot hanger virtually eliminates the boxes that would clutter walls and obscure views.
In this 1920's coastal home, a tight, unsafe staircase as seen in this before photo was replaced with a new staircase.
The same staircase in the 1920's coastal home is much more open in this after photo. The run was reversed to provide a gentler climb. Architectural features add interesting detail to the home.
In this before photo, a small kitchen is visible with walls cutting it off from the rest of the home.
In this after picture of the same kitchen, the walls have been removed and the kitchen connected to the existing family room for an open living space.
Storage space under the stairs can be utilized in a remodel. And yes, it makes the perfect spot for a pet room.
This kitchen was remodeled to open up the space and allow for a better flow within the home.
Deep eaves are necessary over walls of windows to protect from the elements.
Attics need to be insulated against heat gain in summer and unwanted cold in winter. They also need to be carefully vented to the eaves and the roof peaks to allow for airflow.