This 1913 gem is overflowing with the historic character that makes this Des Moines neighborhood so coveted, but its traditional two-story layout faced a modern hurdle: a lack of main-floor accessibility. For homeowners who love their community and wish to age in place—the ability to live independently and safely in one’s own home for years to come—a rethink was required. By introducing a main-floor bedroom and full bath, we’ve transformed this historic beauty into a lifelong sanctuary, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice vintage charm for future-proof functionality.

As a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), Red House Remodeling owner Ben Trannel brings the specialized expertise necessary to balance home safety with high-end accessibility. "We’ve partnered with numerous families to enhance their independence, ranging from streamlined shower conversions to expansive, full-scale additions," Trannel explains. "Our process is rooted in the design-build philosophy: we start by deeply understanding a homeowner’s vision, then engineer seamless, buildable solutions that ensure their home evolves right along with them."

Since the existing footprint was already generous, converting an original room was a possibility—but doing so would have disrupted the home’s historic flow and the spaces the family has come to love. Instead, the team designed a strategic primary suite addition off the rear of the home. This new wing seamlessly integrates a spacious bedroom, a full bath and a walk-in closet complete with a convenient laundry hub.

The addition also served as the catalyst for a total kitchen transformation, providing the extra square footage needed to create a more expansive, functional culinary heart of the home. To bring this vision to life, Red House Remodeling teamed up with frequent collaborator Becky Leu of Leu Interiors, ensuring the new construction felt like a natural extension of the original 1913 craftsmanship.

The hallmark of a successful addition is the seamless marriage of old and new—a goal we fully realized with this project. By creating a new transition off the dining room, the primary suite feels like a natural evolution of the original floor plan rather than an afterthought. We also widened the kitchen entryway to enhance accessibility, pairing it with a redesigned, inclusive dining area. To ensure a cohesive look, every material was carefully selected to mirror the home’s historic character, from the interior finishes to an exterior that blends flawlessly with the existing 1913 facade.

The kitchen was reimagined from a cramped L-shaped footprint into an expansive, expertly zoned culinary space that maximizes every inch of vertical storage. While the range and refrigerator maintain their familiar placement, we introduced a dedicated "clean-up zone" on an adjacent wall, housing the sink and dishwasher for a more efficient workflow. A third multi-purpose zone currently serves as a sun-drenched desk and breakfast nook—a favorite sanctuary for the homeowner’s plant collection—designed with a generous width to comfortably accommodate a wheelchair if needs change.

To honor the home’s heritage, the new cabinetry is finished in a stained oak that celebrates the rich wood grain found throughout the rest of the 1913 structure, paired with elegant antique gray quartz countertops. The lighting was completely modernized with a mix of recessed and under-cabinet fixtures; however, we purposefully integrated the family’s favorite heirloom pendant above the desk. At Red House Remodeling, there is nothing we love more than finding a new home for the meaningful details that already hold a place in a family's heart.

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The new ensuite bathroom serves up traditional and "invisible" accessibility—proving that safety features can be as beautiful as they are functional. Equipped with strategically placed grab bars and a sleek, low-threshold shower, the space also features a clever design secret: the vanity doors currently conceal a laundry basket, but are engineered to be easily removed for wheelchair clearance in the future. By mirroring the stained oak and quartz finishes found in the kitchen, the suite achieves a serene, harmonious aesthetic that provides the perfect backdrop for beginning or ending the day.

Whether you are finally building the gourmet kitchen of your dreams or designing a primary suite that ensures you can stay in the home you love, remodeling is a transformative journey. No matter if your motivation is a creative "just-because" or a functional "must-have," we are here to help you love your home for a lifetime. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.

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In the heart of Des Moines, a turn-of-the-century home has undergone a transformation, culminating in a kitchen that blends its historic charm with modern updates. This successful remodel began with understanding the homeowners' goals: to create a large, functional space with plentiful storage and ample room for entertaining family and friends. To achieve this, we combined the existing kitchen with an adjacent pantry/storage space. From thoughtfully chosen finishes that nod to the past to smart, updated appliances, this kitchen is a testament to timeless design, honoring the home's history while creating a vibrant space perfect for modern living.

We partnered with the design team at Texturious Designs who honored existing finishes, like original trim and hardwood floors, while imagining the heart of the home in an updated space that inspires creativity.  The remodeled kitchen brings a fresh aspect with design elements like crown molding, natural wood tones, the range hood and pendant lighting that tie into the origins of the space.

A favorite design feature in the kitchen is the statement range hood. One of the first selections made by the homeowners, the hood was the inspiration for additional decisions to create a subtle space for the hood to really stand out, including the use of open shelving. In areas with open shelving, we're able to take the tile all the way to the ceiling, turning it into a stunning backdrop. Open shelving also allows homeowners to showcase a few curated pieces to bring warmth and personality into the space.

To keep the kitchen light and fresh, the design team presented a palette of lighter, soft colors and warm wood stains. White perimeter cabinets and the stained island are tied together with counters that pull both white and warmth for the perfect blend. The glossy backsplash tile is a favorite touch because it's subtle and natural enough that you can layer onto it, but it also draws the eye in.

This new kitchen was a combination of two smaller spaces. The large island helped make the new layout make sense, creating balance and symmetry. Functionally, the island provides seating for family and guests to gather, space for cooking and baking, storage for pots, pans and larger baking sheets, as well as an extra-large work space for hobbies and other projects.

The kitchen was designed to maximize space and storage for the family. In addition to the large drawers in the island, there is also a hidden, walk-in pantry. To enhance the flow of the kitchen, frequently used items are stored in the island and perimeter cabinetry, while less used, larger extra items are stored in the hidden pantry. This was a game-changer for the family who transitioned from a smaller kitchen to one that is double the size.

There's also a small drop zone off the kitchen that creates space for shoe and coat storage. A bench with hooks and storage was important to include because it's the clients' main point of entry. Now they have a functional area where they can shed outwear and bags before entering the kitchen.

Inspired by this kitchen transformation? It takes just one call to be on the road to loving YOUR home. Reach out here, or attend one of our free remodeling seminars.

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When it comes to home design, every detail counts. While the house is the star of the show, a well-designed garage can elevate an entire property's curb appeal. This beautiful brick home with its perfectly matched garage is a masterclass in creating a cohesive and polished look. What truly makes this property stand out is how the 2025 detached garage complements the 1929 home so seamlessly.

We worked with the homeowners on a lower-level basement finish and remodel, and were excited to work with them to complete this project as well. The existing garage looked nice enough, but the finish, scale and inside left a lot of room for improvement. The garage was tight quarters for two cars and all the gear that comes with home ownership. The space ended up being used primarily for storage while the family's cars sat outside. The garage was uninsulated and had a floor that needed repair.

Visual harmony and curb appeal was just part of the equation as we worked with these Des Moines homeowners on their new garage. A functional and organized interior was also important. In addition to comfortably housing the family's two cars, the garage needs to accommodate household tools, lawn and garden care items, recreational belongings as well as toys for the youngest family member. This strategic use of vertical space ensures that valuable floor space remains clear and usable.

The main level of this garage is a organized space with a place for every tool, every piece of equipment, and every sports item. But the true genius of this design lies in what's hidden just above. Take a peek up the stairs, and you'll find the secret to keeping the garage floor so clear: a massive second-story storage space. Generous, high-ceilinged and dedicated entirely to storage, this isn't your average crawl-space attic. This garage is a testament to how smart storage solutions can transform a typically underutilized space into an efficient and organized asset to any home.

If you're considering a new garage or an update to your existing one, take a page from this book. Think about the materials, colors and architectural features of your main house. By echoing these elements in your garage design, you can create a truly stunning and cohesive property that will stand the test of time.

How can we help you love your home? Attend one of our free kitchen and bath remodeling seminars or reach out for a free design-build consultation.