This project started with a leap of faith. Our client purchased this home without seeing it in person, knowing it needed work but not fully grasping the extent of the repairs required. Situated along a river, the house had been badly flooded on the lower level and left empty for quite some time.

Our mission was twofold. Bring the house back to a safe and functional condition. Then create a rental property that would attract a long term tenant who appreciated quality, space, and the setting.

Designing Above the Risk

The house is a ranch style home with a walkout basement and a lower level addition. The kitchen, a central part of daily life, was located in the flood prone lower level. It was separated from the rest of the house by walls, stairs, and a small landing.

We decided to move the kitchen to the upper level so it would be more accessible and in a safer location.

Converting a Bedroom into a Kitchen

One of the three bedrooms in the main living area was converted into the new kitchen. We chose the room closest to the lower level and opened it to the adjacent living room. One end of that long living space now functions as a small dining area directly in front of the kitchen.

To better connect the two levels, we opened the wall between the upper and lower floors and installed open railings. The lower level now feels like part of the main home rather than a separate space.

The lower level was reimagined as flexible, more flood resilient living space. Water resistant flooring was installed, and the room was designed to function as a family room, bonus area, or workout space.

A New Bathroom Layout

The bathroom was not usable and in very poor condition. The original layout was cramped and inefficient. A large built in vanity took up most of the wall. Two windows along that same wall left no space for a mirror or medicine cabinet. The toilet was awkwardly positioned in the corner.

The new design freed up floor space by removing the oversized vanity, relocating the toilet for better clearance, and reorganizing the tub and shower along the back wall. One window was closed to create a more cohesive layout. Custom pull out storage was added behind the tub for practical, hidden organization.

How a Rural Ranch Became a City Home

Throughout the home, finishes were selected to support a modern style that would appeal to tenants accustomed to urban living. This “city in the country” approach became a key feature of the project, helping the home compete with higher priced rentals in nearby metro areas.

Tenants were willing to commute a bit further for privacy, landscape, and a fully restored home that felt modern, thoughtful, and well maintained.

Behind the Scenes

The most visible part of a renovation is always the new kitchen and baths. What matters just as much is the work behind the walls.

Upgrading the infrastructure was crucial to the project’s long term success. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were improved throughout the house. A new furnace was installed and elevated above the floor to protect it from future flooding. A functional sump pump was added.

We could not eliminate uncertainty completely, but every decision was made to reduce disruption and protect occupants if another flood were to occur.

Outcome

City Home in the Country is a story of careful and strategic design. By addressing real risks and rethinking the home’s layout, the property was transformed into a durable and desirable rental capable of supporting long term occupancy while adapting to the realities of its location.