The Adams family of Westerly, Rhode Island, proved that a dated one-story ranch house could become something far greater than its humble beginnings suggested. By purchasing a run-down 1949 ranch and embarking on a thoughtful nine-month renovation, they transformed the property into a spacious two-story Dutch Colonial that balances historic New England charm with contemporary family living. The home now features an open floor plan, a striking gambrel roof, and a connection to the outdoors that the original structure could never provide. This project, featured on This Old House season 41, shows how homeowners can reimagine existing structures rather than starting from scratch. Those exploring modern craftsman mountains mountain modern architecture design Asheville will find similar principles of blending regional tradition with modern sensibilities at work in this Rhode Island renovation.
The Gambrel Roof Advantage
The defining architectural feature of this renovation is the gambrel roof, which allowed the team at Sweenor Builders to add a full second story to what was originally a one-story ranch. The gambrel profile, with its characteristic double slope on each side, creates usable headroom in the attic space without requiring the height of a traditional peaked roof. This barn-inspired shape is a hallmark of Dutch Colonial architecture and fits naturally into the New England landscape. The design team, led by architectural designer Lori Foley, incorporated the gambrel into the home’s exterior, from the cedar shingle siding to the crisp white trim.
Kevin O’Connor, host of This Old House, remarked that he had not fully appreciated the gambrel roofline’s efficiency until this project. By adding just a second floor, the team effectively tripled the usable space because the gambrel shape maximizes interior volume. The renovation added 1,250 square feet to the original 1,850-square-foot house, bringing the total to about 3,100 square feet. The original foundation was solid enough to support the additional load, meaning the structural bones of the old ranch were strong enough to carry the new second story. This approach aligns with classic design with a modern twist, where traditional forms are adapted to meet contemporary needs without losing their original character.
The exterior materials were chosen to complement the gambrel form:
- Cedar shingle siding from SBC in a natural weathered finish
- White trim using Lifespan Solid Select for durability against coastal weather
- Bluestone steps from Comolli Granite Company at both entrances
- Rafter tails from Lamco extending beyond the roof edge
- GAF roof shingles selected for longevity in the Rhode Island climate
- A rainscreen system from Mortairvent behind the siding
Open Concept Living Solutions
The heart of this renovation lies in the main floor’s open kitchen, dining, and living area. Shayla Adams knew from the start that she wanted an open floor plan where she could stand in the kitchen and remain connected to her children playing in the living room. The design delivers with wide expanses of glass, ceilings that rise to nearly 10 feet in the step-down living area, and a coffered ceiling that visually unifies the entire space. The coffered ceiling was assembled using preassembled picture-frame molding fitted inside beams that crisscross a ceiling of white oak tongue-and-groove boards.
White oak flooring from Baird Brothers runs throughout the main level. The step-down living area is defined by low bookcase built-ins with integrated posts and pilasters, providing subtle separation without blocking sight lines. The fireplace wall features nickel-gap cladding with floating shelves and cabinets on either side. The kitchen has an L-shaped layout with white flat-panel cabinets from Signature Custom Cabinetry, a blue island in Benjamin Moore Stillwater, and durable Cambria quartz countertops. For homeowners interested in how technology supports this kind of transformation, modern tools construction projects rely on advanced building techniques and digital planning tools to execute complex open-concept designs.
| Space | Key Features | Finishes and Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | L-shaped layout, large island with seating, marble-look quartz | White flat-panel cabinets, Cambria countertops, Kohler fixtures, Thermador appliances |
| Dining Area | South-facing patio doors, deck access, coffered ceiling | Serena Lily dining table, Pottery Barn chandelier, Dash and Albert rug |
| Living Room | Step-down design, fireplace wall, salvaged-pine coffee table | White oak flooring, custom table by Norm Abram, Benjamin Moore paint |
| Mudroom | Closed and open storage, bench seating, durable finishes | Merola floor tile, Sunbrella upholstery, Emtek hardware |
| Playroom | Former bedroom repurposed, salvaged knotty pine wainscoting | Marvin windows, Baird Brothers flooring, Avondale Arts artwork |
Material Choices and Craftsmanship
Throughout the Westerly house, the materials tell a story of reuse and thoughtful selection. The most poignant example is the salvaged pine used in Norm Abram’s custom coffee table. The eastern white pine came from a barn owned by Scott Adams’s great-uncle, a carpenter with whom Scott used to watch This Old House. Norm planed the thick, wavy boards to create the elliptical coffee table, and Scott helped with final assembly in Jeff Sweenor’s cabinetry shop. The finished piece sits in the living room as a daily reminder of family history.
This reuse theme extends throughout the house. In the playroom, knotty pine boards salvaged from the original 1949 house were whitewashed and reinstalled as wainscoting, protecting the walls while allowing the old house to maintain a presence in the new one. Original oak flooring from the existing house was carefully removed and reinstalled in both girls’ bedrooms, refinished to blend with the new white oak flooring elsewhere. The balance of traditional building methods and cement modern construction techniques is evident throughout, as the team blended historic details with updated structural systems.
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva praised the level of detail, noting that coffered ceilings and built-in bookcases are why people love older homes. The bathroom off the playroom evokes mid-century modern style with its minimalist Kohler vanity and black accents. Trim details become slightly simpler away from the main living area, but wide door and window casings give the house its robust character throughout.
Modern Systems and Outdoor Living
Beyond the visible finishes, this renovation introduced a complete mechanical overhaul. The original 1949 ranch had minimal insulation and outdated heating. The renovated home includes a high-efficiency propane-fired furnace from Evolution by Bryant with modulating burners, variable-speed air conditioners for better humidity control, and four separate heating and cooling zones with two on each floor. A new septic system from AdvanTex by Orenco and propane installation by Newport Propane complete the utility upgrades.
The outdoor spaces match the interior quality. The landscape plan by This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and designer Jenn Nawada emphasizes privacy and natural features. Existing rhododendrons were relocated to create a front hedge. Brush was cleared to expose an old stone wall in the backyard. A wraparound deck provides easy outdoor access from the kitchen, dining, and living areas, with a pergola from Walpole Outdoors adding shade. Deck and stair lighting from Deckorators and Alloy LED add warmth for evening entertaining.
The property sits on about one and three-quarters of an acre, ten times the size of the family’s previous lot. Where the original one-story ranch offered no glimpse of the ocean half a mile away, the two-story Dutch Colonial provides water views from every second-floor room, allowing the family to spot Block Island on clear days.
Interior Details for Family Living
Interior designer Kristen Martone described the house as having a nice balance of iconic New England elements on the exterior and lighter tones with a mid-century modern feeling inside. Color is placed strategically as accent: orange all-weather fabric in the mudroom, a blue kitchen island, and blue cabinets flanking the living room fireplace. Upstairs, the girls’ bedrooms reflect their personalities with chosen pinks and purples.
The master bedroom creates a serene retreat with pale blue walls, white oak floors, a beige linen headboard, and wood furniture. The master bath adds marble floor tiles from Bedrosian’s and a marble-look Cambria countertop on a wood vanity. The second-floor landing holds a sitting area and reading alcove for the daughters with custom built-in bookcases. Sliding barn-style doors with glass panels allow parents to close off the den while maintaining sight lines. Furniture in tones of gray, taupe, and white reflects a modern mindset, while natural light pours through wide glass doors connecting indoors to the deck and yard.
Conclusion
The Westerly ranch house renovation demonstrates that existing homes, even modest mid-century ranches, can become something extraordinary. By adding a gambrel-roofed second story, opening the main floor plan, choosing materials that honor both history and durability, and installing modern mechanical systems, the Adams family created a home that works for every stage of their children’s lives. The project also highlights the value of skilled professionals. Jeff Sweenor’s design team incorporated every item on the family’s wish list. The collaboration extended from Sharpe Construction’s masonry work to GQ Hardwood Floors’ precise installation. When planning any major renovation, understanding available resources is essential. Those undertaking similar projects can benefit from learning about modern surveying instruments and their uses, as accurate site measurement forms the foundation of any successful building project. The Adams family’s story proves that a dated house can become a dream home with the right vision, the right team, and a willingness to reimagine what is possible.