Hyland Sunlit Entry: A New Welcome
Beginning the home remodeling process can be both exciting and overwhelming, with endless inspiration online and advice from well-meaning friends and family. At TreHus, our highly skilled team guides clients through every step of the process, tailoring each remodel to what matters most to them. For this article, we are turning our attention to the most important perspective in the exterior transformation of a quaint house built in the 1960s: the homeowner’s.
Dysfunctional Design
Nancy loved the charm and character of her home, but the layout of her front entryway was frustrating and impractical. The front door was tucked into the corner of the L-shaped home and hidden from street view by a large garage with no interior access. This meant every trip from car to kitchen– including grocery runs during frigid Minnesota winters– involved exiting the garage through an exterior door and walking outside to the front door. “It was confusing and dysfunctional, especially for guests or my elderly mother who lived with me for several years, navigating the cramped space with a walker,” says Nancy. For her, creating a space where she can age in place was crucial, beginning with the front entryway.
Crafted with Care
Nancy’s top priority when researching remodeling companies was finding a reliable design-build firm. “I wanted a company that could handle everything from start to finish,” she says, which led her to TreHus. Designer Gina Vozka and Project Manager Caleb Rick were partnered to work with Nancy on her remodel. “The workmanship was incredible, and Gina’s ability to listen and use our ideas to draft up plans was extraordinary,” says Nancy. Living in the basement during construction, Nancy appreciated the team’s tidiness and consistent communication. She recalls that she “was always kept in the loop, and the schedule stayed within a couple of days of the projected timelines.” When asked about watching the remodel come together, Nancy shared that “it was a gradual thing, a pretty organic process. Gina and Caleb would walk me through design choices and measurements, and little by little, it came together. There were moments when I realized there was nothing more to change because it all felt just right.”
A Welcome that Wows
Now, Nancy’s forever home is also her dream home. “The new entryway makes the house noticeable from the street, and I like that!” says Nancy. In her words, she wanted the remodel to look “clean and bright,” with a heavier emphasis on natural lighting and good sight lines to create a warm, welcoming space. Gina achieved this by strategically pulling in light from existing east-facing windows and adding several windows in the new entry, which also brightens the nearby kitchen and living spaces. “Now, on a sunny day, I can walk through the entire main floor without needing to turn a light on,” Nancy says. “The house has a new look and personality from the exterior, and inside it’s much more bright and open.” As an avid birder, Nancy was surprised to discover her new front entryway doubles as a cozy bird watching spot. The bench near the door is “perfect for sitting and watching birds at the birdbath outside,” Nancy shares. The bench, as well as a second seating nook, was built with repurposed Douglas fir 2x4s salvaged from the original home. Nancy loves that the home’s charming original wood got a second life and reduced waste in the remodeling process, and guests love the beautiful grain and history of the bench. This thoughtful integration of light, function, and history is why the team named it the Hyland Sunlit Entry.
Nancy’s Advice
Nancy’s advice to anyone considering an entryway remodel is: “If it’s in your budget, go for it. People often focus on updating their kitchens or bathrooms, but remodeling your front entryway can transform the whole feeling of your home.” Since her front entryway renovation, Nancy has returned to TreHus for a new composite deck and has inspired two nearby remodels, including one next door.