Imagine walking through a fully remodeled home without leaving your desk. The How Interactive Builder Websites Transform Homebuyer Engagement approach has changed how homeowners explore renovation possibilities, and few projects demonstrate this better than the Westerly Ranch House featured on This Old House season 41. This 1940s-era ranch home in Westerly, Rhode Island, underwent a stunning transformation into a two-story Dutch Colonial revival, complete with a gambrel roof, open-concept interiors, and smart home systems. Thanks to a Matterport-powered 360 tour, anyone can explore every corner of this remodel, from the custom coffered ceiling in the living room to the salvaged pine wainscoting in the playroom. This article walks through the key design decisions, structural changes, and material selections that turned a dated ranch into a modern family dream home.
Gambrel Roof Addition and Structural Transformation
The most dramatic change to the Westerly property was the addition of a second story under a gambrel roof. This New England architectural classic, often associated with barns and Dutch Colonial homes, allowed the builders to effectively triple the usable space without dramatically expanding the home’s footprint. As Kevin O’Connor observed during the project, the gambrel roofline proved remarkably efficient for creating additional living area. The original 1,850-square-foot ranch gained 1,250 square feet, bringing the total to 3,100 square feet. To explore this transformation in immersive detail, the Westerly 360 Interactive Tour lets you pan through every room and click on product hotspots to see exactly which materials were used throughout the remodel.
Why the Gambrel Roof Worked
Architectural designer Lori Foley of Sweenor Builders designed the new roofline to maximize headroom on the second floor while maintaining visual harmony with the neighborhood. The gambrel shape creates a steep lower slope and a shallower upper slope, which yields more usable square footage upstairs than a standard pitched roof would. This made it possible to fit three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a landing reading alcove into the new upper level.
- The existing foundation was solid, so no new footings were needed for the vertical expansion.
- Original oak flooring from the first floor was carefully removed and reinstalled in the girls’ bedrooms upstairs.
- The first-floor footprint expanded by only 25 square feet, just enough to square off the dining area corner.
Exterior Materials and Finishes
The exterior received a complete refresh with classic New England elements. Cedar shingle siding from SBC, white trim using Lifespan Solid Select material, and a GAF roof create a cohesive look that respects the region’s architectural heritage. Bluestone steps from Comolli Granite Company lead to both the front and side entrances. A rainscreen system by Mortairvent was installed behind the siding to improve moisture management and extend the life of the exterior cladding.
| Exterior Element | Product or Supplier | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Shingles | SBC | Weather-resistant siding |
| Roof Shingles | GAF | Durable roofing layer |
| Exterior Trim | Lifespan Solid Select | Low-maintenance millwork |
| Rainscreen | Mortairvent | Moisture management behind siding |
| Bluestone Steps | Comolli Granite Company | Entryway masonry |
| Sod and Landscape | Sodco | New lawn establishment |
Open Concept Living and Interior Design
Shayla Adams, the homeowner, knew from the start that she wanted an open floor plan where she could watch her daughters play while working in the kitchen. The design team delivered exactly that, creating a flowing kitchen-dining-living area that serves as the heart of the home. The step-down living room features ceilings that rise to nearly 10 feet, a coffered ceiling built from white oak tongue-and-groove boards, and expansive windows and patio doors that flood the space with natural light as covered in the Solar Homes Tour Renewable Energy Technologies Builders conversation about passive solar design and daylighting strategies.
Kitchen Design and Layout
The kitchen follows an L-shaped configuration with a large central island that functions as both a work surface and casual dining spot. Signature Custom Cabinetry provided the white flat-panel cabinets with custom crown molding, while the island base is painted in Benjamin Moore Stillwater for a coastal blue accent. Cambria quartz countertops in a marble-look finish offer durability without the maintenance requirements of natural stone. Thermador supplied the range, dishwasher, and refrigerator-freezer, while Kohler fixtures handle the sink and faucet needs.
- Perimeter cabinets: Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White
- Island cabinetry: Benjamin Moore Stillwater (blue tone)
- Countertops: Cambria Annica quartz
- Backsplash: Somer Tile mosaic
- Flooring throughout: White oak from Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods
Salvaged Materials and Craftsmanship
One of the most touching details in the renovation is the reuse of materials from the original house. The knotty pine that originally covered the interior walls was salvaged and given a whitewash finish, then reinstalled as wainscoting in the playroom. This preserved a visual link to the home’s 1949 origins while protecting the walls from the inevitable bumps and dings of young children at play. Builder Jeff Sweenor noted that the original knotty pine was so true to the mid-century era that finding a way to reuse it was a priority from the start.
Norm Abram, This Old House master carpenter, built a custom oval coffee table for the living room using eastern white pine from a barn owned by Scott Adams’s great-uncle. The wood had been stored for decades and required significant planing to remove the old, wavy surface. Scott helped with the final assembly steps in Jeff Sweenor’s cabinetry shop, making the piece a genuine family heirloom.
Smart Systems and Sustainable Upgrades
Beyond the visible finishes, the Westerly House received a complete overhaul of its mechanical systems. The homeowners prioritized energy efficiency and comfort, installing a high-efficiency propane-fired furnace with modulating burners and variable-speed fans. Richard Trethewey, This Old House plumbing and heating expert, demonstrated how the furnace’s communicating dampers and variable-speed air conditioners work together to maintain precise temperatures across four separate zones. The Interactive Map Shows All Of The Structurally Deficient Bridges Across America highlights the importance of robust infrastructure, and the same thinking applies at the residential level where modern HVAC and waste systems protect both the home and the surrounding environment.
Heating and Cooling Zones
The four-zone system divides the house into two zones on the first floor and two on the second floor, giving the family granular control over temperature in different areas. The Evolution system from Bryant Heating and Cooling handles both heating and air conditioning, with a thermostat in each zone. Scott Adams noted that their previous home had only a single zone, so the new level of control was a major improvement for family comfort.
- Furnace: High-efficiency propane-fired with modulating burners
- Cooling: Variable-speed air conditioners with communicating dampers
- Insulation: Installed by Ecologic Insulation for maximum thermal performance
- Propane supply: Newport Propane handled the installation
Septic and Water Management
Given the property’s proximity to coastal waterways, an AdvanTex septic system from Orenco was installed to provide advanced wastewater treatment. This system uses textile filters to break down waste more effectively than conventional septic designs, reducing nitrogen loading and protecting nearby watersheds. Green Wastewater Solutions managed the installation, and the system is designed to require minimal ongoing maintenance while delivering high treatment standards.
Plumbing and Fixtures
J.N. Jordan Plumbing handled the complete plumbing rough-in and fixture installation. Kohler fixtures appear throughout the house, including sinks, faucets, shower fixtures, and toilets. The master bathroom features a tiled shower with sandy-toned materials that evoke a beach theme, while the shared girls’ bathroom uses double sinks with colorful accessories against a gray vanity cabinet. A DreamLine glass shower door encloses the first-floor shower, and a hinged glass partition above the upstairs hall bathtub keeps water contained while maintaining an open feel.
Outdoor Living and Landscape Design
The Westerly property sits on approximately 1.75 acres, ten times larger than the Adams family’s previous lot. TOH landscape contractor Roger Cook and landscape designer Jenn Nawada created a plan that emphasizes privacy and takes advantage of existing site features. Rhododendrons already on the property were relocated to form a hedge along the front of the house, while brush clearing in the backyard revealed an old stone wall and created a large open play area near the existing flagpole.
Deck and Patio Features
A wraparound deck extends along the kitchen, dining, and living areas, providing direct access from the main living spaces to the outdoors. The deck uses Deckorators materials with cable railing for unobstructed views, and recessed stair lights add safety and ambiance after dark. A pergola from Walpole Outdoors shades a seating area off the dining room, supported by stone veneer columns from El Dorado. Alloy LED lighting fixtures and landscape lighting from Stateline Irrigation Supply complete the outdoor electrical design.
Unexpected Ocean Views
One of the most delightful surprises of the second-story addition was the ocean views it revealed. Where the original single-story ranch offered no glimpse of the Atlantic despite being just half a mile from the coast, the new Dutch Colonial provides water views from most of the upstairs rooms. On clear days the family can spot Block Island in the distance. Scott Adams admitted they expected some winter views through bare trees but never imagined such expansive sightlines year-round.
| Outdoor Feature | Supplier | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Decking and Railing | Deckorators | Cable railing system with composite decking |
| Pergola | Walpole Outdoors | Arbor structure over dining patio |
| Stone Veneer | El Dorado | Column cladding at deck perimeter |
| Outdoor Lighting | Alloy LED | Wall sconces and pendant fixtures |
| Landscape Lighting | Stateline Irrigation Supply | Path and accent lighting |
| Plants and Sod | Clark Farms / Sodco | New lawn and garden plantings |
The Westerly Ranch House renovation stands as a textbook example of how thoughtful design, quality materials, and skilled craftsmanship can transform a modest mid-century ranch into a spacious family home. The 360-degree interactive tour offers homeowners and design enthusiasts a rare opportunity to study the project room by room, examining material selections, spatial relationships, and product specifications at their own pace. For anyone planning a major renovation, this level of access to a completed project provides invaluable inspiration and practical reference points.