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Nashville Home Renovation Architect: How We Brought the Oak Hill Renovation to Life | Shapiro & Company Architects

Jul 15
4 min read

(Scroll to the bottom for the before and after gallery)

White suburban house with a front porch, framed by green trees and a pink flowering tree, beside a sunlit lawn and curved driveway

When a family finds the perfect neighborhood, it’s a dream come true.

Within district to great schools for the kids, parks and activities nearby, not too far from great restaurants, and a safe, beautiful area to enjoy for life.

This family found that perfect neighborhood, but the homes for sale were… a little less than perfect.

Here’s how we turned this dated home in a beautiful Nashville neighborhood into one of the most stunning homes in the area.

The Before

Single-story brick house with black shutters sits behind a wide green lawn and trees under a bright blue sky. — Before: *Oak Hill Renovation*

This home began as a long, narrow one-story residence with several challenges that limited its functionality. The front entrance was recessed and basically hidden into the right side of the façade, while a poorly placed rear addition blocked views of the back property.

Inside, the layout was constrained and difficult to navigate. The kitchen had a diagonal island that created a tight and awkward corner when moving to the dining room. What had once been the garage had been converted into another family room, but in the process the home lost covered parking.

Between the formal living room, den, and family room, there was more square footage dedicated to entertaining than this family would ever realistically use while other areas of the home lacked the room and functionality the family truly needed.

The bedroom arrangement presented its own challenges. There was only one shared primary closet, and beyond the primary suite, the home offered just two secondary bedrooms, which didn’t meet the needs of this family with three children.

More than any one room, one of the biggest issues was the way the home functioned as a whole.

Our goal was not simply to add square footage, but to reimagine how the home worked for this family. The primary goals were creating clearer circulation, planning a better use of space in the layout, and imagine spaces that were unique to this family’s needs.

Client Goals and Custom Spaces

Before exploring solutions, we spent time understanding how this family lived and what they hoped their home could become.

Aesthetically, they envisioned a timeless Southern home, complete with a welcoming front porch and the character found in Tennessee homes.

With three children, the existing layout simply didn't provide enough space. Beyond the need for additional bedrooms, they wanted a dedicated area where the children could play together, store toys, and enjoy a space of their own. At the same time, the parents needed privacy that the original home lacked.

The kitchen was another priority. In addition to addressing the awkward circulation, it felt disconnected from the rest of the home but with young children, these homeowners wanted to engage with their family whether preparing meals, helping with homework, or winding down in the evening.

The home contained multiple living areas, but none functioned particularly well for their lifestyle. Rather than several disconnected rooms serving similar purposes, they preferred one central gathering space where the family could spend time together.

The Design Response

After evaluating the clients’ wants, needs, and vision for their home, we were able to create a layout that fit their lifestyle within what was realistic with the original home.

White two-story house with columns, dark wood door, gray shutters, manicured garden, and a bright front porch in daylight — After: *Oak Hill Renovation*

To achieve the timeless Southern character the family envisioned, we introduced a more symmetrical façade centered around a new front entrance. We moved the front entrance from its awkward recessed spot on the right of the home to the very center of the home, which allowed us to create a welcoming front porch anchored by a prominent gable. Then, we heightened the windows which further enhanced the proportions of the exterior while bringing significantly more natural light into the interior.

To accommodate the family's need for additional space, we retained the primary suite on the first floor and added an entirely new second story for the children. This addition provided the extra bedrooms and play space the family needed while also giving the exterior the vertical presence often associated with traditional Southern homes. Dormer windows helped reinforce that character and scale.

At the center of the home, we consolidated several underutilized gathering spaces into one expansive family room. By extending this space slightly into the backyard, we were able to introduce additional natural light and strengthen the connection to the outdoors. The adjacent kitchen was redesigned as an open-concept space, anchored by a large island positioned so family members can remain connected during everyday routines, from preparing dinner to cleaning up at the end of the day.

At the rear of the property, we addressed one of the home's most significant architectural challenges. An existing in-law suite addition blocked views of the backyard and disconnected the home from the landscape beyond.

Because the new owners wanted to retain the suite, we looked for a solution that preserved its function while improving the experience of the property. By converting a portion of the addition into a covered porch, we restored views through to the backyard, created an ideal space overlooking the future pool, and established a much stronger connection between the home and its surroundings.

The Finished Home

White two-story house with porch and columns, shaded by trees, with two wooden chairs on a green lawn and pink flowers nearby — After: *Oak Hill Renovation*

Today, it would be difficult to imagine this home as the cramped, disconnected house it once was. What began as a collection of awkward additions, redundant living spaces, and circulation challenges has been transformed into a timeless Southern family home designed around a family.

The new façade feels like it belongs in this beautiful Nashville neighborhood. A welcoming front porch, centered entry, and balanced architectural composition create the sense of arrival the homeowners envisioned from the beginning, while the added second story provides the space their growing family needed without sacrificing the home's charm.

More importantly, the transformation extends far beyond appearances. Every design decision was rooted in the family's lifestyle, from creating spaces where parents and children can stay connected throughout the day to providing the privacy, flexibility, and room to grow that the original home lacked.

Projects like this are a reminder that a renovation is about more than updating a house, it’s an opportunity to reimagine how a home functions for you.

If you love your property but feel your home no longer fits your family's needs, we'd love to explore what's possible. Submit a design inquiry to get in touch.

Before & After Gallery

Single-story brick ranch house with black shutters, a wide green lawn, and trees under a bright blue sky. — Before: *Front Exterior*

White suburban house with gray roof and shutters, framed by leafy trees and pink blossoms, beside a green lawn and curved driveway — After: *Front Exterior*

Suburban backyard with brick path, brick houses, leafless trees, and white trellis under a clear blue sky. — Before: *Back Exterior*

Elegant white house with large windows, patio chairs, and a blue backyard pool surrounded by lush green trees and flowers — After: *Back Exterior*

Bright modern kitchen with wood cabinets, granite counters, stainless fridge, stove and microwave; empty, with coffee sign. — Before: *Kitchen*

Bright modern kitchen with gray cabinets, marble island, gold fixtures, fruit bowl, stools, and open cookbook near sunlit windows — After: *Kitchen*

Bright open-plan living room and kitchen with white cabinets, blue patterned armchair, wood floors, and rocking chairs. — Before: *Detached Backyard Addition*

Bright screened porch with wicker sofas, flowers, and a ping-pong table, opening to a sunny patio and garden outside. — After: *Covered Porch*

View the full project gallery here.