Season 32 of This Old House takes on one of its most compelling transformations yet: a 1940s Colonial Revival home in Auburndale, Massachusetts, owned by Raveen and Allison Sharma. Nestled along the Charles River in a leafy, tree-lined neighborhood, the house has solid bones and undeniable potential, but it also suffers from a series of design compromises and dated interior finishes that keep it from living up to its prime location. The renovation plan, led by general contractor Tom Silva and architect Christina Chu, aims to transform a ho-hum structure into a home with genuine curb appeal and thoughtful interior flow. For homeowners considering a similar undertaking, the lessons here are invaluable. Before starting any major renovation, it pays to study every aspect of the property thoroughly, much like the guidance offered in our article on Before Building Your Dream Custom Home, which walks through the essential planning stages every homeowner should consider.
Assessing the Colonial Revival: What Lies Beneath the Surface
The Auburndale house presents a textbook example of why thorough pre-renovation assessment matters. The structure is a 1940s Colonial Revival with Georgian influences, a style known for symmetrical facades, hipped roofs, and formal proportions. However, this house had a significant flaw: a jutting garage with a flat roofline that clashed with the main house’s elegant hipped roof. The incongruity was not just an aesthetic issue; it disrupted the visual harmony that defines the Colonial Revival style. When evaluating a home for purchase or renovation, looking beyond surface finishes is critical. Modern tools and methods can help identify hidden problems before they become expensive surprises. A helpful resource for buyers is the article on 6 Ways Ai Can Spot Red Flags In Home Listings Before You Ever Visit And Especially Before You Buy, which demonstrates how technology can reveal structural and design concerns during the shopping phase.
The Sharma family recognized that the house’s featureless facade needed more than a coat of paint. The renovation plan addresses this through several strategic moves:
- A projecting entry hall addition that frames a grander front entrance
- A new front window to balance the facade composition
- A pergola to the left of the door, softening the garage protrusion
- A fresh paint job to unify the exterior elements
These changes demonstrate that thoughtful design interventions, rather than wholesale demolition, can solve even deep-rooted facade problems. The approach preserves the home’s original character while correcting its most glaring issue.
Foundation and Structural Considerations in Older Homes
Any renovation of a mid-century home must begin with a honest evaluation of its structural systems. The Auburndale house presented typical challenges for a home of its era: cramped basement spaces, outdated mechanical systems, and a layout that did not take advantage of the property’s riverfront location. The basement, in particular, offered a case study in underutilized space. A cramped room with a stone fireplace occupied one section, while the rest remained dark and unwelcoming. The renovation calls for removing the wall opposite the stone fireplace, opening the space into a new rear addition. The existing basement area will become an activity room with a ping-pong table, new drywall ceiling to conceal pipes, and laminate wood flooring replacing the old tile. For homeowners evaluating an older property, understanding the foundation condition is non-negotiable. Our guide on How To Inspect Stability Of The Foundation Before Buying House covers the critical checks that can prevent costly structural surprises down the road.
Structural assessments in older Colonial Revival homes should focus on several key areas:
- Foundation walls for cracks, settlement, or moisture intrusion
- Floor joist condition, especially in basements with a history of dampness
- Roof framing and connections where additions or modifications occurred
- Load-bearing wall identification before any interior wall removal
- Soil conditions around the foundation that may affect drainage and stability
Each of these factors played a role in planning the Sharma renovation. The wall removal in the basement, for instance, required careful engineering analysis to confirm it was not load-bearing before demolition could proceed. Soil conditions near the Charles River also warranted attention, as riverfront properties can present unique drainage and soil stability challenges.
Windows, Doors, and Exterior Detailing
One of the most telling decisions in the Auburndale renovation concerns the windows. The original metal casement windows were beyond repair and needed replacement. However, rather than switching to a different style, the homeowners chose to maintain the casement design, opting for modern fiberglass units instead of the original metal. This decision reflects a smart principle: honor the architectural style while upgrading performance. Casement windows are period-appropriate for a Colonial Revival home, and fiberglass offers superior insulation, durability, and low maintenance compared to the original steel frames. The new fiberglass casements will provide better energy efficiency without altering the home’s character. This balance between preservation and performance is central to any successful renovation. When dealing with ground conditions that could affect window installations and foundation work, the guidance on How To Deal With Collapsible Soil Before Construction Pdf provides essential reading for homeowners planning significant exterior work.
The front entry also receives a major upgrade. The existing small door will be replaced with a much larger door featuring sidelights, framed within the new projecting entry hall addition. This change accomplishes multiple goals simultaneously:
- It creates a grander, more welcoming arrival experience
- The sidelights bring natural light into the dark entry hall
- The projecting form breaks up the flat facade and adds architectural depth
- It visually anchors the entrance, drawing the eye away from the garage
Interior Renovation: Transforming Dark and Underutilized Spaces
The interior of the Auburndale house suffered from the same problem many 1940s homes face: compartmentalized rooms, dark hallways, and a layout that does not match modern living patterns. The entry hall, in particular, was described as dark and dreary, featuring heavy knotty pine shelving that absorbed light rather than reflecting it. The renovation addresses these interior shortcomings with a comprehensive reconfiguration. The table below summarizes the key interior transformations planned for the Sharma home:
| Space | Current Condition | Proposed Renovation |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Hall | Dark, cramped, knotty pine shelving | New projecting entry with sidelights, brighter finishes |
| Basement Living Area | Cramped room with stone fireplace | Wall removed to connect with new addition, activity room |
| Sunroom | Rickety structure, poor views | Demolished and replaced with two-story addition |
| First Floor Addition | Nonexistent (attached to walk-through basement) | Entertainment room with river views |
| Second Floor Addition | Nonexistent | Informal gathering space with large windows |
The most dramatic interior change is the removal of the wall opposite the stone fireplace in the basement. This single intervention accomplishes a remarkable transformation: it opens a cramped room into a flowing space that connects with the new rear addition. The basement will eventually house both an activity area and a TV room, giving the family dedicated recreation zones that the original floorplan never provided. The new drywall ceiling will conceal unsightly pipes, and laminate wood flooring will replace the dated tile, creating a warm and functional lower level.
The Two-Story Addition: Maximizing Riverfront Potential
Perhaps the most ambitious element of the Auburndale renovation is the two-story addition at the rear of the house. The existing sunroom, described as rickety and poorly suited for enjoying the Charles River views, will be demolished entirely. In its place rises a two-story structure designed to capture the water views that the current house largely ignores. The first floor of this addition will connect to the walk-through basement, creating an entertainment room at grade level. The second story will serve as an informal gathering space, featuring large windows that frame the river views for the Sharma family and their two children. This addition transforms the home from one that turns its back on the river into one that embraces its most valuable asset.
The choice to build up rather than out is a smart one for a riverfront property. A two-story addition minimizes the building footprint on the landscape while maximizing usable square footage. The large windows on the upper floor capture views that would be partially blocked at ground level by vegetation and topography. For homeowners in similar settings, the addition demonstrates how thoughtful design can turn an awkward site feature into a home’s defining amenity.
Conclusion: Lessons from the Auburndale Transformation
The Auburndale house renovation offers a masterclass in how to approach a mid-century home renovation with intelligence and restraint. The Sharma family bought the house for its neighborhood, not its condition, and the renovation plan respects what the house has to offer while correcting its shortcomings. The key takeaways apply to any homeowner considering a similar project: assess the structure honestly, preserve architectural character where possible, invest in additions that enhance livability, and never underestimate the impact of improving curb appeal. The combination of a projecting entry, a two-story rear addition, thoughtful window replacements, and a reconfigured basement will transform this 1940s Colonial Revival into a home that finally matches the beauty of its surroundings. For those planning their own renovation journey, understanding flooring options is part of the process. The article on Everything You Need To Know About What You Should Know Before Installing Mud Flooring covers an important material choice that can influence both basement and addition construction decisions. Whether you are renovating a riverfront Colonial Revival or a modest suburban home, the principles remain the same: plan thoroughly, respect the existing architecture, and build spaces that serve the way your family actually lives.