The Challenge: A 1955 Ranch With Good Bones, Bad Additions
When the Morgans bought their 1955 ranch in suburban Michigan, they loved the quiet street and mature trees—but not the mismatched exterior.
A previous owner had added a vinyl-sided garage, replaced original windows with oversized sliders, and covered the brick with fake stone veneer.
It felt disjointed and cheap, even though the house itself was structurally solid.
They wanted to restore the home’s integrity—but didn’t know where to start.
Contractors kept suggesting trendy makeovers that ignored proportion and charm.
That’s when they discovered the Home Revival Masterplan.
How should you add to your existing house?
Step 1: Clarify the Vision
Before drawing a single line, we spent time understanding what the Morgans loved about mid-century design: simplicity, balance, and honest materials.
They wanted modern comfort—but without erasing history.
We documented the existing structure, measured the façade, and analyzed the window spacing, roofline, and entry alignment.
What we found: the “ugly” wasn’t the house—it was the add-ons that broke its rhythm.
Step 2: Model the Right Proportions
Using the Masterplan’s 3D study process, we tested three design options:
A modest refresh with new siding and trim
A proportion-correct façade restoration
A complete curb appeal reconfiguration with porch addition
Option 2 struck the perfect balance: restoring charm without excess.
We lowered the porch roof to meet original fascia lines, resized the windows to their original ratios, and reintroduced a subtle gable peak over the entry for architectural rhythm.
Step 3: Plan the Budget and Phasing
The Morgans’ total project budget was $85,000.
We divided it into two logical phases:
Phase 1: Structural and exterior envelope (siding, roofing, windows)
Phase 2: Entry porch, trim, and landscaping refinements
This kept their project cash-flow friendly while maintaining the long-term design vision.
Step 4: Hire With Confidence
With the Masterplan in hand, the Morgans interviewed three contractors.
For the first time, everyone bid on the same scope.
The pricing came in tight—within 7% across all bids—and they chose a contractor who valued craftsmanship and proportion as much as they did.
He later said,
“That plan made my job easier. Every detail was clear before we started.”
Step 5: Build With Clarity, Not Chaos
Construction ran smoothly—no mid-project panic, no design compromises.
The Masterplan served as the visual reference for every decision, from siding reveals to column dimensions.
In 10 weeks, their dated ranch transformed into a timeless home that looked like it had always belonged on the block.
The Result:
Resale value increased by $72,000 according to the appraisal.
Neighbors stopped to ask who designed it.
The Morgans said the best part wasn’t the transformation—it was the peace of knowing every step before it began.
Why the Masterplan Works
Most homeowners jump straight to “doing.”
The Masterplan forces you to think, visualize, and align before you spend.
It prevents expensive aesthetic mistakes, wasted bids, and proportion errors that no amount of paint can fix.
That’s why so many mid-century homeowners now start their renovation journey here.
💡 “A beautiful renovation isn’t luck—it’s clarity, sequence, and respect for proportion.”
➡️ Build Your Own Success Story
Book your Home Revival Masterplan
You’ll get:
A visual design direction tailored to your home’s era
A phased renovation roadmap with cost guidance
Contractor-ready documents for clean bidding
The confidence that your investment will add to your home’s story, not erase it
Your house already has charm—it just needs a plan that knows how to honor it.