You like the house. You like the neighborhood. But the kitchen, circulation, bedrooms, bathrooms, storage, or overall layout no longer fits.

Before assuming you need a major addition or a completely different house, it is worth understanding what the existing home can realistically become.

You want to improve, expand, or carefully modernize the house, but you don't want the result to look generic, overbuilt, trendy, or obviously added on.

The rooflines, windows, entry, massing, materials, and proportions all need to work together so the finished renovation feels like it belongs.

You have ideas, contractor opinions, inspiration photos, and perhaps several possible directions, but you're not yet confident about what is worth building.

Before asking what everything costs, you need to determine what should actually be done, in what order, and whether the investment makes sense for the house.

The Goal Isn't to Make the House Look New

It's to Make the House Look Right

The best renovation often feels surprisingly natural.

A porch looks as though it should always have been there.

A second-floor addition doesn't announce itself as an addition.

New windows strengthen the architecture instead of fighting it.

A reorganized floor plan makes the house feel larger without unnecessarily increasing the footprint.

The design may be new.

The result should feel inevitable.

Small Older Homes Require a Different Kind of Design Thinking

A 1940s Cape Cod, 1950s Colonial Revival, ranch, bungalow, cottage, or split-level cannot simply be treated like a blank sheet of paper.

Every change affects something else.

Raise a roof and the windows may suddenly look too small.

Add a large rear addition and the original house may become visually insignificant.

Open several rooms and you may eliminate the walls that organized the house.

Replace windows without studying their proportions and the exterior loses its rhythm.

These are not merely decorating decisions.

They are architectural relationships.

Turnwood Design Group specializes in helping homeowners understand those relationships before construction begins.

Contractors Build. Good Renovation Planning Decides What Is Worth Building.

• A contractor can give you a price for an addition.

• A kitchen company can design cabinets.

• A window company can replace windows.

• A siding company can change materials.

But none of those decisions automatically answer the larger question:

What should this house actually become?

That question needs to be answered first.

My role is to help you establish the overall architectural direction, understand the consequences of the major decisions, and create a plan that allows the individual pieces of the renovation to reinforce one another.

Frank Judge ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We have done 3 projects with Nate and all would receive a 5-star review. We have done a home addition project, custom deck/porch, and a full custom home design. Each of these projects required different expertise and input from us to make sure the project met our needs. As we have ultimately been our own general contractor for all of these projects, Nate also has given us coaching along the way to make sure we do not make mistakes once we started the build phase.

Nate will support any level of preparation for a project. If you are looking for ideas, because you don’t have any, Nate can support providing ideas from scratch. If you already have the start of a project, but want to merge some new ideas or thoughts because you are stuck in your design or planning, Nate can support the merging of your style and ideas with his experience. If you just want a very specific design and don’t want hassle of someone trying to “call your baby ugly” Nate can provide subtle guidance and ideas as to improvements to consider.

In our first project, we had a very particular home style in which we needed an addition to match architectural elements as well as existing structure of the home. Nate was able to give us from scratch ideas that met our needs and we consistently get compliments from our neighbors that the house looks like it has been planned for that addition since it was first built. Our second project was the addition of a second story porch, which we ultimately did not complete due to a choice to look to eventually build a custom home. Our current project with Nate is a full custom home build. We started with sketches and details from what we wanted and went through various iterations of design. Through the project, Nate has been able to add some of his style on top of our particulars for the house. In the times we do get stuck on items (either between spouse and myself or just in design elements) Nate helps by taking the reins and providing insight and experience so we can continue to move forward.

If you want the experience of planning and designing a project to be enjoyable and not stressful, I would highly suggest Nate and schedule your first consultation meeting. If you are looking to kick-start a project, his insight and ideas might challenge your thinking and enable some additional discussions that might finally turn your dreams into reality. You will not be disappointed with the outcome of your project and you will be able to trust that the work has been done properly and is complete.

Mary Libbing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“You have helped us to see our vision and have provided a wonderful design experience.”

Kyle Berrens ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nate did an awesome job helping us plan out our renovations! He took the time to ask very detailed questions and really understand what we were looking for. We got the initial design back in a short amount of time and it was spot on with our vision. He pays attention to the finer details and knows how to take your ideas and elevate them as well. Would definitely recommend!

Katherine L ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nate has been a pleasure to work with! Took our visions and turned them into reality. Easy to work with and has a great creative touch. Could not be happier.

Terry Booth ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We throughly enjoyed working with Nate on the addition to our 1956 bungalow in Plymouth. Nate had some great ideas and was very flexible. We doubled our kitchen and added a large island. We gutted the bathroom, added a large shower and extended our family room.with a beautiful stacked stone fireplace. We replaced our deck with a covered patio which we absolutely love. Nate helped us realize our forever house.

Bryn Gerich ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nate has done a wonderful job helping us work through our plans and ideas for a large home remodel. He is an incredibly patient person! He thinks of ways to fix issues that we didn't even know could be fixed. His mastery of architectural technology has allowed us to really "see" what we are doing and what is possible. He has the great ability to generate a multitude of ideas and possibilities for a client to choose from. We have really appreciated his kindness and help.

Kaelyn Switala ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My husband and I worked with Nate to design our home in downtown Plymouth. New to the process, he guided us in all of the right directions to create our dream home. Nate has an impeccable eye for detail and it truly shows in all aspects of our home. The technology he used to create our home made the process seamless and brought our vision to life with high quality 3D images and video. If you are looking for an architect who takes great pride in their work, you’ve come to the right place! We couldn’t be happier! Thank you, Nate!

Jeff Burch ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My wife and I are currently planning a remodel of our existing home. We had many reservations in hiring an architect to bring our dreams for the project to life. After several weeks and sessions working with Nate, we can say he has exceeded our expectations in every way. As we progress with our design, Nate has demonstrated his knowledge of design, attention to detail, and ability to provide a home design that both captures our aesthetic vision and provides all of the function we need as a busy family. Nate asks the questions we may not know to ask and has a proven ability to apply practical solutions. He is also at the forefront of technology - we were surprised to see in as much detail what our home will look and feel like inside and out. Working with Nate has truly been a collaboration that has been exciting and enjoyable. Nate is someone you can trust with your dreams - he is sure to create a home that is timeless and beautiful.

Step 1:

UNDERSTAND THE HOUSE

Start with the Online Home Revival Blueprint

$897 only $475

This 45-minute to 1-hour consultation includes a detailed evaluation of your home's current condition and design potential. Together, we’ll identify the most impactful ways to elevate your house using classical architectural principles.

What’s Included:

• You’ll get a professional project analysis to uncover your property’s hidden potential and create a clear vision for a stunning transformation rooted in classical architecture.

• You’ll gain clarity and confidence in your renovation decisions, knowing your home’s beauty and charm will finally shine through.

• Plus, receive a free House Style Analysis to help you see how we could implement timeless architectural styles like Colonial, Tudor, or Georgian styles into your home.

What You’ll Receive:

• A comprehensive post-meeting report outlining your home’s hidden potential.

Step 2:

ESTABLISH THE RIGHT DIRECTION

The IN-PERSON Classical House Consultation

$1289 now for $860

Your Architectural Strategy for Success
Building on the insights from Step 1, this session dives deep into creating a cohesive classical design strategy tailored to your style and home. Perfect for homeowners ready to refine their vision and confidently move toward the renovation process.

What’s Included:

• You get a personalized architectural design program that blends historical elegance with modern functionality, tailored to your home’s unique character.

• You feel empowered with a detailed, step-by-step design sequence that brings your dream home to life while preserving its charm and history.

• Plus, we will perform a detailed Home Survey and LiDAR scan that captures the 3D geometry of your house so that we have an accurate set of as-built documents (Which can be purchased separately)

What You’ll Receive:

• A detailed design program outlining the scope of your project.

• Preliminary insights into potential improvements.

• A clear direction for your project

Step 3:

DEVELOP THE RENOVATION

See the future home before construction

Timeless Design, Professionally Realized
Turn your vision into reality with a fully developed, architecturally precise design for your home. We provide everything you need to execute a stunning renovation seamlessly.

What’s Included:

• Receive a complete set of architectural designs, construction documents, and premium visualizations to flawlessly execute your renovation.

• Experience the pride of living in a home that feels timeless, cohesive, and uniquely yours—designed to elevate your lifestyle and investment.

• Plus, access an extended 6-month visualization link, so you can revisit your 3D model and share it with contractors, family, or friends for feedback.

What You’ll Receive:

• A formal proposal outlining the full scope of the project.

• Clear payment structures and deliverables for the design process.

• Multiple pricing options to customize the project to your needs.