Open Door Architecture

Open Door Architecture Architecture and interiors for everyday living. Kitchens, baths + spaces that work. Let’s design yours!

05/22/2026

Sometimes the best way to gain space in a small house is to rethink what you actually use.
Many older homes have secondary staircases, often leading to a basement or cellar, that see very little day to day use. In the right situation, removing that staircase can free up valuable square footage for spaces that support daily life much better.

In our own home, an old basement staircase once occupied the back room. By removing it, we were able to create a functional laundry and pantry area while converting the room into a more permanent bedroom space. Basement access moved outside with a cellar door, and a discreet floor hatch provides emergency access if needed.
Small adjustments like this can make a house work dramatically better without adding a single square foot.

Learn more about how we rethink existing homes at www.opendoorarchitecture.com.

05/20/2026

Why do some small houses feel surprisingly large?

It often comes down to proportion.

Our 1920s Craftsman home is only about 1,700 square feet today, but the front living room stretches wide across the house and flows directly into the dining room. That sequence of generous spaces creates an immediate sense of volume when you enter.
It’s a classic move in many Craftsman homes and one that can inspire renovations today.
Sometimes the feeling of space has less to do with square footage and more to do with how rooms are shaped and connected.

Learn more about thoughtful home design at
www.opendoorarchitecture.com

05/14/2026

A great renovation doesn’t just depend on the design. It depends on the builder you choose.

When clients ask us how to find the right contractor, we recommend two simple steps. First, look at their past projects. A builder’s portfolio or completed homes nearby can tell you a lot about the quality of their work.

Second, call their references. A good contractor will happily connect you with past clients, and those conversations often reveal the most honest insight about communication, timelines, and the overall experience.
Choosing the right builder can make all the difference in how smoothly your project comes together.

Explore more renovation guidance at www.opendoorarchitecture.com.

05/10/2026

The most meaningful spaces aren’t just designed, they’re nurtured.
Happy Mother’s Day to the ones who make a house feel like home from the entire Open Door Architecture team!

05/06/2026

One detail that instantly makes a room feel more custom? Built-ins!

Bookshelves and built-in casework give a home a natural place for the things that matter: books, family photos, and collections gathered over time. They’re a common feature in historic homes, which is part of why we love incorporating them into new and renovated spaces. They bring that same sense of character and permanence.

One of our favorite strategies is designing shelves around existing architecture, like framing a window or filling a dining room wall. When built-ins are designed specifically for the space, they feel seamless, intentional, and truly part of the house.

They’re beautiful and functional, giving everyday objects a place to live.

If you’re planning a renovation and want your home to feel truly custom, start the conversation at www.opendoorarchitecture.com.

This kitchen had five different layout options before we landed here. Each one functioned well. Each one solved storage ...
05/01/2026

This kitchen had five different layout options before we landed here. Each one functioned well. Each one solved storage and circulation in a slightly different way. But this layout did something extra. It created the strongest focal point.
From the moment you enter, your eye moves straight through the island to the brick backdrop and layered textures beyond. The proportions feel balanced. The sightlines feel intentional. And yes, it photographs beautifully.
Of course, it’s highly functional too. The island anchors prep and seating, appliances are positioned for efficiency, and storage is integrated throughout. But great design isn’t just about function. It’s also about composition.

See more of our work at www.opendoorarchitecture.com

04/28/2026

Great residential architecture often comes with a wait.
Because we focus on historic homes and character-driven renovations, our projects typically book several months in advance. That means there may be time between signing your contract and when we begin measuring and designing.

So how should you use that time?
First, get clear on your priorities. Trying to accomplish too much can quickly expand both scope and budget. Identify your top goal for the renovation, whether that’s the kitchen, bathrooms, or improving the overall layout.
Second, begin shaping your vision. Save inspiration images, clip magazine pages, or build a Pinterest board to help define how you want the finished space to look and feel.
Finally, use the time to prepare financially. Renovations are a significant investment, and this window can be helpful for saving or exploring financing options.

When design begins, that clarity makes the entire process smoother.
Start the conversation at www.opendoorarchitecture.com

The original 1940’s Colonial house had a cozy, cramped kitchen that was cut off from the living spaces. Our clients, a f...
04/24/2026

The original 1940’s Colonial house had a cozy, cramped kitchen that was cut off from the living spaces. Our clients, a family of four, wanted a more open space where they could be together while cooking. But they love their historic home and wanted the new space to feel like it had always been there.

We removed a load-bearing wall which required adding a beam in the ceiling. Rather than have that one beam revealing the old floorplan, we added additional beams throughout, which also helped to break down the scale of the room. One end of the kitchen is the dining area with a new, built-in bench and glass cabinets. The other side is the cooking space. We specified custom cabinets that stain-matched the trim in the old house, with the furniture-style island in an accent green paint color.

The owners of this 1920’s Colonial Revival cottage wanted to transform their cramped kitchen into an inviting place for the family to gather, while maintaining the home’s historic character and charm.

We removed the wall that separated the kitchen and dining, and added beams to the ceiling to unify the space. For the walnut cabinets, we drew inspiration from the beautiful original staircase and dark woodwork that grace the adjacent living room. A large green island and stunning quartzite counters keep the palette fresh. Vintage filing cabinet pulls on the island and the pantry’s weathered door handle, sourced from a pub in England, add patina and personality.

Architecture by
Build by Prime Renovations
Photography by Adam Ford

04/23/2026

Choosing paint colors shouldn’t start with 10,000 options.

One of the easiest ways to simplify the process is to begin with a smaller, curated palette. Boutique paint collections like Farrow & Ball limit the number of colors, which makes it much easier to focus on tones that work well in real homes.

Once you’ve narrowed your list, compare those colors to the fixed finishes in the room like tile, cabinetry, or stained trim. Then test large samples on the wall and watch how the color shifts as natural light moves through the space during the day.

The right paint color isn’t chosen from a tiny swatch. It’s chosen by seeing how it lives in the room.

Explore more renovation tips and design ideas at www.opendoorarchitecture.com

A tucked-away breakfast nook like this is proof that small spaces can carry big impact.Framed by original trim and flood...
04/21/2026

A tucked-away breakfast nook like this is proof that small spaces can carry big impact.
Framed by original trim and flooded with natural light, this built-in banquette turns an inbetween space into a daily ritual spot. Morning coffee. Homework at the table. Weekend pancakes. The kind of corner that quietly becomes everyone’s favorite seat in the house.
Thoughtful residential architecture isn’t always about adding square footage. Sometimes it’s about shaping what’s already there into something that works beautifully.

If you’re rethinking your kitchen layout or dreaming of a custom breakfast nook, start the conversation at www.opendoorarchitecture.com.

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