Kowalko Remodel and Landscape

This Cottage Grove remodel began after our clients inherited the house their father had built by hand. They wanted to honor the care and energy that went into it while updating and expanding the home to support their retirement and aging-in-place goals. While the living room was mostly preserved, nearly every other space was reimagined. The former carport now holds the new entry, office, guest room, and second bath. The kitchen and dining area were expanded with large new windows and a walk-in pantry with converging barn doors. The primary bedroom was vaulted and paired with a spacious barrier-free bathroom and walk-in closet. A covered breezeway and new garage were also added,
creating a barrier-free connection to the laundry room.

Outside, a courtyard was designed in response to the space created by the new garage, breezeway, and house. Living in a rural neighborhood, the clients wanted to stay connected to the surrounding landscape while maintaining privacy from neighbors. Converging barn-style gates, a convertible louvered cover above the hot tub, and a thoughtful mix of pavers come together to create a courtyard that is functional, flexible, and comfortable year-round.