Remodeling a home before you have fully settled into it might sound intimidating, but for Allison and Raveen Sharma, a fast-track renovation was exactly what they wanted. Before they even closed on their 1940 Colonial Revival house in Auburndale, Massachusetts, the couple had already consulted an architect about how to transform the dark and cramped interior into a bright, open family home. The resulting project, featured on This Old House television, took just over a year and turned a dreary property into a vibrant showcase of bold color choices, thoughtful space planning, and confident design decisions. For anyone considering a similar undertaking, this before and after renovation story offers practical inspiration at every turn.
Opening the Floor Plan for Modern Family Life
The original layout of the Auburndale house suffered from the compartmentalized floor plan typical of mid-century construction. Rooms were isolated from one another, hallways were narrow, and the kitchen was tucked away with little connection to the main living areas. The Sharmas wanted a home where their family of four could interact freely, whether preparing meals, helping with homework, or entertaining guests. Achieving this required a complete rethinking of how each space related to the next.
To achieve this, the renovation team removed several interior walls that divided the main floor. The kitchen, dining room, and living room were opened into one continuous space, creating sight lines from the front of the house all the way to the backyard. The old arched opening between the dining room and kitchen was widened and squared off, which improved traffic flow dramatically. This Old House general contractor Tom Silva noted that choosing the right walls to remove is a critical decision. Homeowners sometimes hesitate to eliminate original details, but when older materials are not serving the home functionally, replacement is often the smarter path. The original hardwood flooring was retained and refinished, tying the expanded spaces together with a warm, consistent foundation that preserves a sense of history.
Understanding how structural changes affect the overall home is essential before beginning any renovation. Many before and after home transformations demonstrate that opening a floor plan does not mean losing character. The key lies in preserving elements that contribute to the home’s identity while discarding those that hinder livability. In the Auburndale house, the team carefully evaluated which walls were load-bearing and which could be safely removed, ensuring that the new open layout did not compromise the structural integrity of the 1940s frame.
A Confident Approach to Color and Materials
The most striking feature of the renovated Auburndale house is its fearless use of color. Rather than defaulting to the safe palette of whites and grays that dominates so many modern renovations, interior designer Melissa Gulley embraced warm, saturated hues that give each room its own personality while maintaining visual harmony across the open plan. The result is a home that feels energetic without being overwhelming, a balance that is difficult to achieve.
The living room features rich red walls that serve as a dramatic backdrop for white trim and neutral upholstered furniture. This bold choice works because the white millwork and moldings provide enough contrast to keep the space from feeling overbearing. The entryway was painted a warm pumpkin orange that connects visually with the red living room while offering its own distinct identity. The powder room continues the warm-toned theme, proving that adjacent rooms can share a color family without feeling repetitive. Every finish was selected intentionally, from the wall sconces by Hudson Valley to the custom rug from Merida.
Coordinating different colors in an open floor plan is one of the trickiest challenges in interior design. Done poorly, the result can look chaotic or cartoonish. Done well, it enriches the experience of moving through the home. Gulley achieved this by selecting shades that complement rather than compete. The red living room walls, the pumpkin entry, and the warm powder room tones all sit within the same color temperature range, creating a cohesive journey from one space to the next. Homeowners planning their own palette should keep in mind that samples look different under natural and artificial light, so testing colors on multiple walls and observing them at different times of the day is essential. For those ready to move forward with their own project, taking time to review steps before building your dream home can prevent costly missteps in the planning phase.
Kitchen, Sunroom, and Living Space Expansions
The original kitchen was narrow and isolated, with limited counter space and no connection to the rest of the house. The renovation transformed it into the heart of the home. A large wood-topped island now anchors the space, creating two distinct zones: one for cooking and food preparation on the range side, and another for quick snacks and casual meals on the refrigerator side. Since both Allison and Raveen enjoy cooking together, a secondary prep sink was installed to let them work side by side without getting in each other’s way. Kitchen designer Donna Venegas explained that the extra sink was a deliberate choice to improve efficiency for a couple who shares culinary duties.
Cabinetry was designed with family-friendly details in mind. A microwave placed under the counter allows the children to heat their own snacks without needing assistance from adults. The white cabinetry is warmed by tropical-green accent tiles on the backsplash, chocolate-brown walls on the island, and red bar stools that echo the living room color scheme. This layered approach to materials and finishes prevents an all-white kitchen from feeling sterile or cold. The granite countertops from Stone Technologies and plumbing fixtures from American Standard complete the professional-grade kitchen aesthetic.
One of the most dramatic transformations occurred in the old sunporch. At just seven feet deep and lacking insulation, it was rarely used despite its views of the Charles River. The team replaced it with a larger, fully insulated sunroom featuring walls of windows and direct access to a new Trex deck. Radiant heating from Uponor was installed in the floor, making the space comfortable year-round. A high-velocity HVAC system from The Unico System was also added to maintain consistent temperatures throughout the expanded footprint. This addition effectively extended the living room, giving the family multiple areas for socializing, reading, or simply enjoying the natural light that now floods the main level.
| Room | Before Renovation | After Renovation |
|---|---|---|
| Living Room | Dark knotty pine fireplace surround, dim lighting, closed-off layout | Bold red walls, white trim, open connection to dining and sunroom |
| Kitchen | Narrow, isolated, limited countertop space | Open layout with island, dual prep sink, two cooking zones |
| Sunporch | 7 ft deep, uninsulated, rarely used | Full sunroom with windows, radiant heat, deck access |
| Basement | Oversized sectional, underutilized space | TV room, craft area, relocated cabinets from main floor |
| Entryway | Small, dark, unremarkable | Bumped-out with pumpkin walls, vivid rug, gabled trim |
| Exterior | Ho-hum facade, no defined entry | Pergola, gabled entry, neutral palette with red door |
The basement also received a major update. Previously dominated by an oversized sectional, the walk-out basement was enlarged beneath the new sunroom to create a dedicated TV and entertainment area, plus a zone for crafts and games. Cabinets that were originally in the dining room and foyer found a second life in the basement, demonstrating how thoughtful reuse can reduce waste and keep renovation costs in check. Closet systems from The Home Depot were installed to maximize storage in the lower level.
Exterior Upgrades and Curb Appeal Boost
The home’s exterior received as much attention as the interiors. Architect Harriet Christina Chu proposed a pergola above the entry to add visual interest and draw the eye to the new gabled front door. A small window placed above the entry further emphasizes this focal point. The color scheme is a classic combination of neutral siding with crisp white trim, while a red front door offers a hint of the bold palette waiting inside. The front door itself was replaced with a modern TruStile door, and new Kwikset hardware and a Stanley security system were installed.
- A pergola from Walpole Woodworkers adds architectural depth and frames the new entryway
- New shutters from Atlantic Premium Shutters provide a clean, traditional look
- Exterior lighting from Hinkley Lighting improves safety and nighttime appeal
- Trex decking off the sunroom creates an outdoor living area for warm months
- Andersen windows throughout the sunroom maximize natural light and energy efficiency
The existing garage was also addressed during the renovation. The structure was deemed unfit for simple repairs, so the team opted for a full replacement rather than a patchwork fix. This decision aligns with Tom Silva’s advice that replacing substandard materials is often more cost-effective and safer in the long run than trying to salvage them. The garage replacement also gave the team an opportunity to improve the overall site layout and parking arrangement.
Before undertaking major exterior changes, it is wise to evaluate the structural integrity of the existing foundation and framing. A home that looks sound on the surface may conceal issues that only become apparent once work begins. Learning how to inspect foundation stability before buying a house is a skill that can save homeowners from unexpected expenses during a renovation. The Auburndale project succeeded in part because the team evaluated the structure thoroughly before committing to the design, ensuring that every change was built on a solid base. This approach saved both time and money by preventing mid-project surprises that could derail the fast-track schedule.
The transformation of the Auburndale house proves that bold decisions in color, layout, and material selection can turn a dated property into a home that works beautifully for modern family life. The Sharmas moved from dark and cramped to bright and open in just over a year, proving that with the right team and a clear vision, a fast-track renovation can deliver lasting results that improve how a family lives every single day. From the pumpkin entryway to the sunroom deck, every detail of this project reinforces the value of thoughtful planning and confident execution.