FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Serious Fun: A Craftsman Enters a New Century

By Mike Litchfield
A glassed-in shower stall with a light tube upgraded a dark bathroom with a tired tub. To the right of the shower is a stand-up make-up counter with plenty of drawers underneath. Again, elegant details make the small space feel special: A pomegranate-seed motif in the tiles repeats in the drawer pulls and in a custom tile design on the radiant-heated floor. 

(This case history from Renovation 4th Edition reflects today’s need to maximize space and functionality, conserve resources, and create homes that can accommodate life’s changes.)

The two-bedroom bungalow “instantly felt like home” to Sandra and David. It had beautiful old windows, wavy glass, unpainted woodwork and built-in china cabinets in the dining room, and the house had been well-cared for. Small by today’s standards–roughly 1150 sq. ft.–it had comfortably housed a couple and their three kids when it was new. Its close quarters would be something of a challenge because one of the bedrooms would become David’s home office, but the couple welcomed the opportunity to get rid of stuff they didn’t need, recycle on a regular basis and live simply.

The kitchen, however, was a horror: cramped, dingy and badly out of date. The bathroom was also dark and a bit funky, but they could live with it. The couple lived in the house before starting their renovation but when they did, they had an ace in the hole. David’s cousin, Fran Halperin, was an architect who loved a challenge.

Client requirements

“A kitchen you can use without bumping into stuff! More storage, more counters, more room. It’s impossible to keep clean, and the old linoleum is shot. The bathroom is dark, it would be nice for both of us to have our own space in it. We rarely use the tub.”

Kitchen solutions

Take out the walls and open it up to create one large kitchen space. Create a large island whose concrete countertop includes a cooktop, prep areas and places to eat and hang out. Replace the full-sized fridge (17 cu. ft.) with a European (9 cu. ft.) model. Upgrade the sink and replace the glass in the over-sink window with obscure glass to increase privacy. Replace the old linoleum with Marmoleum. A desk in the kitchen for Sandra next to the east window.

Bathroom solutions

Replace the old, encased tub with a glassed-in shower stall. Instead of installing a second window on the south wall, install a light tube over the shower at a fraction of the cost–and greater privacy. Tile floors with radiant heating. In the small space next to the shower, a stand-up beauty area just for Sandra–David can have the medicine cabinet over the sink for his stuff. 

Green touches

The California cooler in the north wall keeps produce cool naturally so the refrigerator can be smaller: Shop often, eat fresh. Marmoleum flooring. The light tube is free lighting.

Color therapy?

Interior designer Sharon Low and architect Fran Halperin often collaborate because their skills mesh so nicely. Says Fran, “Sharon is able to pull all the pieces together. Architects aren’t really into all those tiny little details, the pulls, the towel bars. You have to be a born shopper to be able to find all that stuff. She’s a hunter-gatherer.”

Says Sharon, “Fran’s a 3-D person, I’m more 2-D. I understand how colors and surfaces and textures work. And I’m a pretty good diplomat. If I am working with couples whose color choices are on totally opposite ends of the scale, I can somehow come up with a palette that pleases them both [laughing] so they can chose their battles about something else. I like to say that I’m sort of a color therapist–there’s probably about 20 percent design and 80 percent therapy in each project. Often I throw in something so completely different that it rocks them off their boats and really gets them talking to each other.”

Thousands of field-tested tips

This blog was adapted from Renovation 4th Edition, just published by Taunton Press. In addition to case histories about award-winning designs, Renovation 4‘s 614 pages include 250+ technical drawings, 1,000 photos from the 40,000 I have taken over the years, and thousands of field-tested tips and techniques that master builders have shared with me. I hope you find it useful. –Mike

© Michael Litchfield 2013

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Musings of an Energy Nerd: Toward an Energy-Efficient Home

Fine Homebuilding readers know Martin Holladay well and love his practical, cost-effective approach to energy-efficiency and green building. In this book, he walks you through every step of planning an energy-smart home that is healthy, durable, and comfortable.
Buy at Amazon

Pretty Good House

For anyone interested in a sensible and cost-effective approach to designing and building a home that is comfortable, healthy, efficient, and durable, this book is a fantastic starting point (really, it may be all you need!).
Buy at Amazon

Not So Big House

This book earned author Sarah Susanka a reputation as a small house guru, yet, that wasn’t exactly her goal. This book isn’t about building a small house, it’s about building a smart house, one that matches how we live, and prioritizing beauty and comfort over size.
Buy at Amazon

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Mortar for Old Masonry

Old masonry may look tough, but the wrong mortar can destroy it—here's how to choose the right mix for lasting repairs.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • A Practical Perfect Wall
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Building Codes
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Roofing on Commercial vs. Residential Buildings

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All Videos
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Building Codes
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Roofing on Commercial vs. Residential Buildings
  • A Drip-Free, Through-Window Heat Pump
View All

Design and Planning

View All Design and Planning Articles
  • Preservation and Renewal for a Classic
  • A Postwar Comeback
  • With Swedish Arts & Crafts Precedent
View All Design and Planning Articles

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in