Charm-Safe Renovation Strategy Session in

Farmington Hills, MI

Most homeowners don’t mean to ruin the charm of their house. It usually happens by accident.

People in Farmington Hills often tell me:

“We updated things, but now the house doesn’t feel like itself.”

Older homes from the 1930s through the 1960s rely on proportion, restraint, and simple details. When changes ignore those things, charm slips away fast.

This is common in Wood Creek Farms, Ramblewood, Forest Park, Hunters Pointe, and Independence Commons, where homes were updated one project at a time with no overall plan.

The Charm-Safe Renovation Strategy Session helps you see what makes your home special and how to improve it without crossing the line.

I’ve been serving this area since 2015 as an owner-operated studio. I’m also a licensed Michigan builder and Best of Houzz 2020 winner. Protecting charm is central to my work.

What “Charm-Safe” Really Means

Charm-safe does not mean freezing the house in time.
It also doesn’t mean avoiding improvements.

It means:

• understanding what gives the home its character

• knowing which changes improve it

• avoiding updates that erase its identity

• making improvements that still feel authentic

• respecting scale, proportion, and simplicity

This session gives you rules to help, not opinions.

Why Older Homes Lose Charm So Easily

Most charm loss comes from small decisions that add up:

✔ Oversized windows and doors

Replacements often ignore original proportions.

✔ Too much trim or fake detail

Trying to “add charm” usually backfires.

✔ Trend-driven materials

They date fast and fight the house.

✔ Over-opening interiors

Walls get removed without understanding structure or flow.

✔ Additions that overpower the house

Scale gets lost.

Charm-safe planning prevents these mistakes.

What We Review During the Session

1. Original Character Cues

We identify what defines the home’s look and feel.

2. Proportion and Scale

Window size, door height, and room balance matter more than style.

3. Layout Changes That Are Safe

Some walls can move. Others shouldn’t.

4. Exterior Updates That Fit

We guide siding, trim, rooflines, and entries.

5. Additions and Expansions

We explore what’s possible without overpowering the home.

6. Phasing Strategy

We plan updates in the right order.

What You Get From the Session

• A clear charm-safe renovation direction

• Guidance on what to change and what to leave alone

• Layout improvement ideas that respect the house

• Exterior upgrade recommendations that fit the home

• A list of risky moves to avoid

• Confidence before starting design or construction

This helps you avoid regret.

Homeowners tell me:

• “We don’t want to ruin the house.”

• “We want it to still feel old.”

• “We want updates that make sense.”

• “We don’t trust trendy advice.”

• “We want guidance we can stick with.”

This session is built for those concerns.

Local Knowledge Matters

Working in Farmington Hills means understanding:

• How the weather affects old materials

• Which updates failed in the past decades

• Common mistakes seen across neighborhoods

• How modest homes should grow, if at all

• What still feels right years later

That experience shapes every recommendation.

What you can do today

If you want to renovate without losing what made you love the house in the first place, the Charm-Safe Renovation Strategy Session is the right start. It's called the HOME REVIVAL BLUEPRINT.

Send me a message and tell me what you’re thinking about changing.
We’ll protect the charm while making the home better.