The Shire Project: A Home Addition Reveal in Willis, Texas
I am thrilled to share the transformation of this thoughtfully designed home expansion, where functionality meets modern elegance. This 800+ square foot home addition started our signature Master Plan design process in January 2021, followed by construction mid-summer, and reached completion in February 2022.
This modern home transformation is stunning. What resulted is a spacious, well-designed layout tailored for a growing family, ensuring ample room for togetherness and sophisticated entertaining—featuring an extraordinary new kitchen that redefines modern living.
Expanding a Home for Modern Family Living
Inspired by time spent at home in 2020, my clients envisioned transforming their covered patio into a seamless indoor extension—one that would offer more than just additional dining space. I listened to their needs and crafted several innovative floor plan options. Ultimately, they chose to expand their home’s footprint to best accommodate their evolving lifestyle.
Here’s where we added square footage in this Modern Home Addition:
Kitchen Expansion
Snack Station
Dining Expansion
Living Room Expansion
Secondary Mudroom
Second Powder Room
Additional Bedroom (second story)
Expanded Primary Suite (second story)
Balcony off of Primary Suite (second story)
BEFORE
AFTER
Designing a Kitchen Expansion for Function and Style
The previous kitchen layout lacked functional flow, making it difficult for the family to cook together while keeping an eye on the kids playing outdoors. We expanded the kitchen footprint and enhanced the flow with efficient and thoughtful space planning. This included adding large picture windows that flood the space with natural light and frame views of the client’s beautiful acreage property.
This modern home now boasts double kitchen islands for effortless meal prep and hosting, an apron-front work sink, integrated under-cabinet lighting, a professional 8-burner range with a pot filler, a secondary prep sink, and a hidden walk-in pantry—all framed by bespoke cabinetry designed for both display and discreet storage. Doubling in size from its original layout, this space is truly a cook’s dream.
This is the same view through the kitchen and dining area into the living room beyond during different project phases. The design plan doubled the square footage of each of these spaces. Everything in these photos to the left of the beam is all part of the home addition. The beam marks the location of the former exterior back wall of the home.
In the second photo, smooth drywall finish prep is in progress, which we wrote about on the blog HERE. Structural work and trenching in the slab was required to achieve these major floor plan additions.
As a Texas Registered Interior Designer, I follow local and state regulations and consult with other building professionals, including engineers, when our projects require this level of structural changes.
Maximizing Space with Smart Ceiling Design
The reimagined ceiling design enhances both function and architectural impact, blending structural necessity with modern sophistication. The original 10-foot ceiling was reconfigured—lowered to 9 feet around the perimeter of the kitchen to frame a striking tray ceiling over the islands. This detail, accented with shiplap and four stunning pendant light fixtures, harmonizes with custom stained and faux wood beams for a cohesive and upscale look.
Additionally, the extended wall cabinets reach to ceiling and adding dramatic flair while offering practical storage solutions. Raising the cabinets also conveniently made room for a shelf below the wall hung kitchen cabinets. Now the clients can display special pieces and easily access regularly used items. Customizing cabinetry allows me to tailor designs for our clients unique needs and space requirements!
A Custom Snack Station for Seamless Daily Living
Strategically positioned between the homeschool room, new kitchen, and backyard play space, the custom-designed snack station streamlines daily routines, ensuring that quick snacks and drinks are always within reach. Relocating the beverage refrigerator and incorporating tailored cabinetry, this space perfectly marries functionality with a playful, modern aesthetic.
See a list of more amazing interior amenity spaces in our post “Crafting Extraordinary Living: Elevating Your Home with Customized Interiors” .
Transforming a Cramped Living Room into a Spacious Great Room
Designed as a seamless extension of the kitchen and dining areas, the new Great Room offers distinct zones for gathering, conversation, and relaxation. Bathed in natural light from expansive windows on nearly every side, the space provides generous views of the surrounding property. The original stone-clad fireplace has been reimagined as a sleek, minimalist focal wall, featuring clean horizontal reveals for added architectural detail.
With space for two large seating arrangements, the Great Room is ideal for everything from family movie nights to intimate conversations by the fire.
