An American Bungalow Before and After: A Complete Craftsman Home Renovation Guide

When a 1928 Sears kit house had survived decades of conversions from single-family home to multifamily dwelling to boarding house and back again, it arrived at its latest chapter badly in need of help. The front porch floor was rotten, the back porch was worse, and every part of the structure craved attention. Over an eight-year renovation, architect Michael Klement and builder Bruce Curtis transformed this tired structure into a classic Craftsman bungalow that lives, looks, and performs better than ever. The story of this bungalow renovation offers valuable lessons for anyone tackling a whole-house remodel.

1. Starting with the Front Door: Redefining Circulation and Spatial Flow

The renovation team began by addressing one fundamental flaw: the front door was positioned off-center, creating an unbalanced facade and an awkward approach. As Klement explains, good design starts with understanding how space, adjacency, and circulation work together. Every room must be considered in terms of how it will be used, how it connects to other rooms, and how people will move between them.

Centering the Entrance

Relocating the front door to a centered position was the single most cost-effective move of the entire project. This realignment accomplished three things at once:

• A more balanced, symmetrical facade that respects the Craftsman tradition
• A direct, intuitive entry sequence that guides visitors naturally into the home
• Three distinct but well-connected rooms where previously there was only one large undefined space

The centered front door created a clear central path through the house, allowing the team to carve out a dining room, living room, and study from what had been a single multipurpose area. This approach to home remodeling strategies shows how thoughtful space planning can add rooms without expanding the footprint.

Connecting Spaces without Solid Walls

The design team deliberately minimized the use of solid walls to preserve a sense of openness. Key strategies included:

• French doors between the study and the main living area provide visual separation while maintaining connection and allowing light to flow through
• A three-quarter-height wall between the living room and dining room defines each zone without blocking sightlines or natural light
• Consistent floor materials across all three spaces to reinforce visual continuity

2. Structural Repairs and Energy Performance Upgrades

Before any aesthetic improvements could begin, the team addressed serious structural and performance deficiencies. The house had suffered years of deferred maintenance and needed comprehensive work from foundation to roofline.

Structural Repairs

The renovation team identified several structural issues that required immediate attention:

• Front porch reconstruction: The rotten floor joists and decking were replaced entirely, with new pressure-treated lumber and proper drainage detail
• Back porch replacement: The back porch was in even worse condition and required full demolition and rebuilding
• Foundation assessment: The original foundation was inspected and reinforced where necessary to support the renewed structure
• Roof framing inspection: The team checked for sagging rafters and roof deck issues from decades of weather exposure

Air-Sealing and Insulation

A 1928 kit house was built in an era when energy performance was not a consideration. The team prioritized air-sealing and insulation upgrades to bring the home to modern comfort standards. Key measures included:

• Comprehensive air-sealing at all penetrations, rim joists, and attic boundaries to stop uncontrolled air leakage
• Attic insulation brought up to modern R-value standards using blown-in cellulose or fiberglass
• Wall cavity insulation installed from the interior where possible, preserving the exterior siding
• Basement rim joist sealing to address one of the most common sources of heat loss in older homes

For more detail on how to tackle building insulation systems in existing homes, there are proven approaches that work with older framing. Similarly, thorough air sealing of all penetrations is essential to achieving the energy savings homeowners expect from a deep renovation.

Energy Performance Results

3. Kitchen Transformation: Working within Constraints

The kitchen presented one of the most challenging aspects of the renovation. Neither the budget nor local zoning setback regulations would allow the team to expand the kitchen’s footprint. The solution required creative interpretation of the building code and careful space planning.

Cantilevered Bay for Additional Space

The team discovered that zoning ordinances distinguish between “floor space” and “architectural features.” While extending the floor area into the setback was prohibited, they could project cabinetry through a cantilevered bay window. This clever strategy added valuable counter and storage space without violating setback requirements.

The approach required detailed documentation and a careful presentation to the zoning official:

1. Prepare scaled drawings showing the existing setback line and proposed bay projection
2. Demonstrate that the projection would contain only cabinetry, not habitable floor area
3. Cite the specific zoning ordinance provisions that allow architectural features to extend into setbacks
4. Obtain written approval before proceeding with construction

Stair Relocation and Circulation Improvements

The original basement stairs wound awkwardly through the kitchen, disrupting traffic and wasting valuable storage space. The team straightened the stairs and relocated the access from the kitchen to the dining room. This single change produced multiple benefits:

• Improved safety: The new straight run is less hazardous than the original winding stair
• Enhanced kitchen storage: The area previously occupied by the stair access became usable cabinetry and counter space
• Better traffic flow: Basement access no longer disrupts kitchen work zones

4. Lessons for Phased Renovation Projects

A project spanning eight years requires a different approach than a single-phase renovation. The homeowner worked with the team to complete the work in carefully sequenced phases that balanced financial constraints with the need to make the home livable throughout the process.

Phasing Strategy

The renovation was organized into logical phases, each providing a measurable improvement in livability:

1. Phase 1: Structural stabilization — address rotten porches, foundation issues, and roof leaks to stop further deterioration
2. Phase 2: Envelope improvements — air-seal, insulate, and install new windows to improve comfort and reduce energy costs
3. Phase 3: Kitchen and bathroom renovations — upgrade the most-used spaces with new fixtures, cabinetry, and finishes
4. Phase 4: Interior finishes — complete millwork, trim, painting, and flooring to bring the Craftsman aesthetic to life
5. Phase 5: Landscaping and exterior details — finish the front porch, paint, and landscape to complete the curb appeal transformation

Key Renovation Takeaways

The American bungalow renovation offers several principles that apply to any whole-house remodel:

• Start with circulation: How people move through a home is the foundation of good design. Fixing the path through the house can create better spaces without adding square footage
• Address structure first: No amount of beautiful finishes compensates for rotten framing or a failing foundation. Prioritize structural integrity above all else
• Seal and insulate thoroughly: Older homes were built without any energy performance considerations. Bringing the building envelope up to modern standards is the best investment in long-term comfort
• Read the zoning code creatively: Understanding the difference between floor area and architectural features can unlock space in tight situations
• Phase work thoughtfully: A long renovation demands careful sequencing so the home remains livable and the budget manageable

The transformation of this 1928 Sears kit bungalow into a comfortable, energy-efficient Craftsman home shows that even the most neglected house can be revived with patient, methodical work. By respecting the home’s architectural heritage while upgrading its performance to modern standards, the team created a home that honors the past without compromising on comfort for the future.