Home renovation television shows have long inspired homeowners to reimagine what is possible within their own four walls. Few projects capture the transformative power of thoughtful design quite like the Season 32 before and after home transformation of the Auburndale House in Massachusetts. What began as a dark, compartmentalized 1940 Colonial Revival became a luminous, open-concept home brimming with personality and warmth. This article examines the key strategies that turned this property from dreary to dazzling, offering practical insights for contractors, designers, and homeowners planning their own renovation journey. The project serves as a master class in balancing structural necessity with creative ambition, and every decision made along the way reinforces the value of intentional, well-coordinated remodeling.
Opening Up the Floor Plan
The most dramatic change in the Auburndale House was the removal of interior walls that had isolated the kitchen, dining room, and living areas from one another. Before the renovation, the kitchen was a narrow, cramped space cut off from the rest of the home. The living room felt heavy and dark, dominated by a knotty pine fireplace surround that absorbed light rather than reflecting it. The dining room, although functional, lacked visual connection to the rest of the first floor. The solution involved strategic demolition and careful reconfiguration of the home’s central core.
Structural Considerations for Wall Removal
General contractor Tom Silva emphasized that removing walls requires careful evaluation of structural loads. In the Auburndale project, the team identified which walls were load-bearing and installed appropriate headers and beams to redistribute weight safely. This process is not as simple as swinging a sledgehammer; it demands engineering expertise, proper permitting, and coordination across multiple trades. Key considerations included:
- Engineering review of all proposed wall removals to identify load paths
- Installation of steel or laminated veneer lumber beams for load transfer
- Temporary shoring during demolition and beam placement
- Coordination with HVAC, electrical, and plumbing rerouting
- Local building code compliance and inspection scheduling
- Floor joist reinforcement where wall removal changed load distribution
The result was a seamless flow between the living room, dining area, and kitchen. The once-isolated spaces now function as a unified great room, perfect for the homeowners’ casual lifestyle and frequent entertaining. The open configuration also improved natural light penetration throughout the first floor, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours and creating a noticeably more inviting atmosphere.
Sunporch Expansion and Connection
The existing sunporch was a shallow seven-foot-deep space with wonderful views of the Charles River but limited practical usability. It lacked insulation, felt disconnected from the main living areas, and was too narrow to serve as a comfortable gathering spot. The renovation team expanded it significantly, creating a full-fledged sunroom that connects directly to a new deck. Walls of windows now flood the space with natural light, and stairs descending from the deck to the backyard establish a strong indoor-outdoor connection.
Radiant floor heating was installed to keep the sunroom comfortable throughout the colder months, while high-velocity HVAC units maintained climate control without the need for bulky ductwork that would have compromised the clean aesthetic. Andersen windows were selected for their energy efficiency and reliability, and Trex decking provided a low-maintenance outdoor surface that will withstand New England’s variable weather for years to come.
The Bold Color Palette Strategy
Interior designer Melissa Gulley took a confident approach to color that became the defining feature of the home. Rather than playing it safe with all-neutral tones, she layered rich, warm hues throughout the first floor. The transformation demonstrates how remodeling with a fresh color palette can define separate zones within an open floor plan without relying on physical walls to create separation. Each room feels distinct yet harmoniously connected to the next.
Living Room: Bold Red as a Statement
The living room features deep red walls set against crisp white trim and moldings, creating a dramatic and inviting backdrop for upholstered furniture and artwork. The red anchors the living area as a distinct zone within the open layout while maintaining visual continuity with adjacent spaces. The choice of C2 Paint ensured a high-quality finish that would hold up well over time. Upholstered furniture from Pearson Furniture and a custom rug from Merida Custom Rugs completed the space with texture and comfort.
Entryway and Powder Room: Warm Continuity
The bumped-out entryway received warm pumpkin-colored walls paired with a vividly patterned rug that immediately signals a departure from the ordinary. This transitional space bridges the exterior and interior without overwhelming the senses, and the color choice was deliberate in setting the tone for the rest of the home. The adjacent powder room continues the warm-toned approach with deep browns and coordinated window treatments crafted by Marylou Fraser. Gulley noted that the challenge was using different colors in an open plan without making the house look disjointed, and the solution lay in selecting shades that complement each other while making each space feel distinct.
Color Palette Breakdown
| Room | Wall Color | Accent Color | Trim Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living Room | Deep red | Cream upholstery | Bright white |
| Entryway | Pumpkin orange | Patterned rug | Warm white |
| Powder Room | Warm brown | Duralee fabric curtains | Cream |
| Kitchen | Chocolate brown | Tropical green tile | White cabinetry |
| Exterior | Neutral beige | Red front door | White trim |
The exterior received a classic neutral paint scheme that enhances curb appeal without competing with neighboring homes. A red front door offers a hint of the lively interiors beyond, creating a cohesive visual narrative from the street all the way through to the living room.
Kitchen and Dining Area Reconfiguration
The kitchen transformation illustrates how thoughtful design can accommodate multiple cooks and family members simultaneously. The original kitchen was narrow and isolated, with limited counter space and no meaningful connection to the dining area. The renovation completely reimagined the layout to prioritize both function and aesthetics.
Dual-Zone Kitchen Design
Kitchen designer Donna Venegas created two distinct prep zones within the new open kitchen, recognizing that Allison and Raveen Sharma frequently cook together. A wood-topped island from The Grothouse Lumber Company serves as both a food preparation surface and an informal dining area for the family of four. One side of the island is dedicated to cooking preparation near the range, while the opposite side functions as a snack zone adjacent to the refrigerator. An extra prep sink allows both homeowners to work simultaneously without getting in each other’s way, and a microwave tucked under the countertop lets the children heat up leftovers without requiring adult assistance.
The white color scheme of the cabinetry is warmed by tropical-green accent tile from Tile Showcase and chocolate brown walls, while red bar stools and coordinated window treatments add further visual interest. This layered approach to kitchen design ensures that the space feels inviting rather than clinical, a common pitfall in all-white kitchens.
Dining Room Opening and Traffic Flow
The arched opening between the dining room and kitchen was widened and squared off to improve traffic flow between the two spaces. Tom Silva noted that centering the dining table within this opening created a much better layout than the original configuration. The table remained in its original location, but the improved sightlines and circulation between the two spaces transformed how the family moves through their home. This kind of cottage remodeling design approach demonstrates how relatively simple structural changes can yield significant functional improvements without requiring a complete teardown.
Kitchen Upgrades Summary
- Wood-topped island with seating for four from The Grothouse Lumber Company
- Dual prep sinks for simultaneous cooking by both homeowners
- Tropical green accent tile backsplash from Tile Showcase
- Under-counter microwave for independent child access
- Chocolate brown accent walls paired with red bar stools
- GE appliance suite for reliable daily performance
- Premier Custom Built cabinetry for tailored storage
- Granite countertops from Stone Technologies
- American Standard plumbing fixtures throughout
- Kidde smoke alarms integrated into the design
Lower Level and Exterior Enhancements
The renovation extended beyond the main floor to transform underutilized spaces into valuable living areas. The basement and exterior received equal attention to detail, ensuring the entire property benefited from the comprehensive renovation.
Basement Transformation
The walk-out basement, once dominated by an oversized sectional sofa and little else, was enlarged below the new sunroom footprint. It now houses a comfortable television room and a dedicated area for games and crafts, providing valuable recreation space that keeps activities from cluttering the main floor. Cabinets relocated from the dining room and foyer found new purpose downstairs, demonstrating how thoughtful period house renovation strategies can maximize every square foot of a property. Closet systems from The Home Depot provided organized storage that keeps the space tidy and functional.
Exterior Curb Appeal Upgrades
Architect Harriet Christina Chu specified several exterior enhancements that dramatically improved the home’s street presence. A new pergola from Walpole Woodworkers draws the eye upward and frames the gabled entry, creating an immediate focal point that the original facade lacked entirely. A small window above the entry highlights this architectural detail, and the neutral color scheme with white trim feels timeless and appropriate for the Colonial Revival style. Key exterior improvements included:
- Pergola installation by Walpole Woodworkers to define the entry
- New gabled entry with enhanced proportions and visual weight
- Atlantic Premium Shutters for period-appropriate window detailing
- Hinkley exterior lighting fixtures for nighttime ambiance
- Trex decking for low-maintenance durability in New England weather
- Andersen windows throughout for energy efficiency and performance
- Red front door as a signature design element tying interior and exterior
- Stone Technologies granite details for lasting quality
The homeowners, Allison and Raveen Sharma, moved into their dream home barely a year after purchasing the property. Their willingness to embrace bold design decisions, remove underperforming original details, and work with a coordinated team of professionals resulted in a home that is both beautiful and deeply functional. For contractors and designers, the Auburndale House stands as a compelling case study in how to balance structural necessity with creative ambition, proving that the most successful renovations are those that respect a home’s original character while fearlessly reimagining how that character can serve a modern family’s needs.