Small House Renovation Design Specialist in Plymouth, MI | Turnwood Design Group LC

Small House Renovation Design Specialist in Plymouth, MI

Your Plymouth Midcentury Home Deserves More Than a Generic Modern Renovation.

Turnwood Design Group LC — Renovation design for 1930–1960 small homes in Plymouth and nearby Metro Detroit neighborhoods, with a focus on historic character and everyday livability.

Plymouth’s Small Historic Homes, Thoughtfully Reimagined

Turnwood Design Group LC is a Farmington Hills–based residential design studio that works extensively with 1930–1960 small homes in and around Plymouth. From compact postwar bungalows to storybook-style cottages near Downtown Plymouth and Old Village, we help you update floor plans, light, and curb appeal while honoring the details that make your home feel rooted and authentic. Our Charm-Safe Renovation™ Method combines classical proportion, precise 3D as-builts, and constructible solutions so your project feels both timeless and practical.

Specializing in small homes since 2011 Serving Plymouth & greater Metro Detroit Charm-Safe Renovation™ Guarantee
Licensed & Insured Historic-Home Renovation Focus Independent Design-Only Specialist BBB Listed Yelp Profile

Quick Trust Snapshot for Plymouth Homeowners

  • Deep small-house focus: Over a decade of work on 1930–1960 homes in Plymouth, Farmington, Northville, Novi, and similar Metro Detroit neighborhoods.
  • Service radius: Office in Farmington Hills, regularly serving Plymouth and homes across Oakland, Wayne, Macomb & Washtenaw Counties.
  • Charm-Safe Renovation™ Guarantee: Every design is grounded in classical proportion and historic rehabilitation guidance, with a built-in refinement round so your Plymouth home feels like “it’s always been this way.”
  • Verifiable presence: Active on Google Business Profile, BBB, Yelp, Houzz, Facebook, and the official Turnwood Design Group website.

We align our work with historic-preservation best practices, drawing from resources like the National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation to inform decisions about additions, siding, windows, and other character-defining elements.

Why Plymouth Homeowners Partner with Turnwood Design Group

  • Designed around Plymouth’s older streets and neighborhoods.
    From tree-lined blocks near Downtown Plymouth to mature subdivisions with modest ranches, we study how your house fits into its street so upgrades feel like a natural continuation—not a jarring one-off. The National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs emphasize understanding existing character before making changes, and we apply that mindset to every project.
  • Renovations that respect historic character while accommodating today’s life.
    We use the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation as a compass, retaining distinctive features while carefully introducing new work (NPS Rehabilitation Standards). The result is a Plymouth home that feels fresh and functional without losing the qualities buyers love.
  • Strategic planning to safeguard budget and resale.
    Remodeling research from organizations like the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies shows how much homeowners invest in upgrades and how crucial smart sequencing is (Remodeling research). Our Home Revival Blueprint™ helps Plymouth owners avoid “redoing work” by prioritizing moves that enhance both daily use and long-term value.
  • Modern tools: LiDAR scans and detailed as-built documentation.
    We begin with measured as-builts and 3D laser scans so you and your contractor can see the true conditions behind your walls. Construction-technology leaders note that accurate as-builts and scanning greatly improve coordination and reduce change orders (3D laser scanning benefits; importance of as-built drawings).
  • Neighborhood-first mindset.
    We believe Plymouth’s older homes and walkable blocks are an asset to protect. The National Trust for Historic Preservation highlights how reinvesting in older buildings supports local identity and economic resilience (Six Reasons to Save Old Buildings). Our design work aims to strengthen that fabric, not dilute it.

Small House Renovation & Design Services for Plymouth, MI

Home Revival Blueprint™ (Online Design Consultation)

The Home Revival Blueprint™ is an online working session for Plymouth homeowners who want a clear plan before jumping into construction. We review how your small house functions today, identify problem areas in circulation and storage, and outline phased design priorities so updates happen in a smart order.

See full details and current pricing here: Home Revival Blueprint™.

The planning-first approach follows guidance from preservation and planning resources, including the National Trust’s overview on organizing restoration and rehabilitation work.

In-Person Classical House Consultation

When you’re ready for a deeper dive, our in-person consultation brings a small-house renovation design specialist to your Plymouth property. We walk your home and lot together, talk about goals, measure the space, capture a LiDAR scan, and discuss options that align with structure, zoning, and budget.

Learn what’s included: In-Person Design Consultation.

Concepts are developed with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation in mind, which balance preservation with compatible new work (Standards for Rehabilitation).

Exterior & Curb Appeal Design for Plymouth Homes

Whether you’re on a quiet side street or near Downtown Plymouth, we rework facades, porches, dormers, and entry sequences so your home looks like a coherent, well-composed whole. Window groupings, trim, and column sizes are all tuned to your specific house and block.

For new elements such as porches or additions, we reference guidance like the National Park Service material on new work and additions that preserve massing and scale (NPS — New Additions to Historic Buildings).

Additions & Interior Renovation Planning

From expanding a compact kitchen to adding a family-room or primary-suite wing, we create additions and interior reconfigurations for Plymouth homes that feel integrated rather than tacked on. Layouts consider structural logic, natural light, storage, and long-term maintenance—not just short-term trends.

Federal rehabilitation standards highlight the importance of preserving significant materials and overall character, even while incorporating new work (36 CFR 67.7 — Standards for Rehabilitation).

As-Built Drawings & 3D Scanning for Plymouth Renovations

Every successful renovation begins with accurate documentation. We generate measured as-built drawings and 3D models of your Plymouth home using a combination of field measurement and LiDAR. These documents become the shared reference for you, your contractor, and any engineers or interior designers.

Industry resources stress that robust as-built documentation reduces surprises and supports future projects (Autodesk: as-built drawings; Matterport: as-built documentation).

Feedback from Nearby Homeowners

A client in Farmington Hills notes on Turnwood’s design-process page that the team “helped us to see our vision” and delivered “a wonderful design experience,” underscoring the emphasis on clear communication and collaborative planning throughout the renovation process.

Source: Turnwood Design Group — Design Process

On Houzz, Turnwood Design Group LC is profiled for classical, proportionally sensitive residential design, with typical renovation construction budgets ranging from $80,000 to $1,000,000, reflecting a focus on comprehensive, investment-grade work rather than surface-only makeovers.

Source: Houzz — Turnwood Design Group LC

Listings on platforms such as Yelp and the Better Business Bureau confirm Turnwood Design Group’s ongoing presence as a Metro Detroit design practice serving communities like Plymouth, Farmington, Northville, and surrounding suburbs.

Profiles: Yelp · BBB listing

Plymouth Small House Renovation Design FAQ

What does a small house renovation design specialist do for Plymouth homes?

Our role is to study how your Plymouth house was originally built—its structure, scale, window rhythm, and circulation—and then design changes that improve function without undermining its character. For 1930–1960 homes, that often means rethinking kitchens, entries, and bedroom layouts while keeping the proportions and details that make the house feel like “Plymouth,” not “anywhere, USA.”

Do you only take on projects located in Plymouth, MI?

Plymouth is one of our core service areas, but it’s not the only one. Turnwood Design Group LC is based in Farmington Hills and works with homeowners across Metro Detroit, including Plymouth, Northville, Farmington, Novi, and other communities throughout Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, and Washtenaw Counties.

Can you help protect the historic feel of my 1940s or 1950s Plymouth house?

Yes. Preserving character is central to the Charm-Safe Renovation™ Method. We identify the features that give your Plymouth home its personality—roof shape, porch details, window proportions, brick or siding patterns—and use preservation guidance such as the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and National Park Service Preservation Briefs to shape our recommendations so upgrades feel authentic.

Do you provide construction services or just design?

Turnwood Design Group LC focuses on design, analysis, and documentation. We create the renovation plan, generate as-built drawings and models, and can help you coordinate with or evaluate contractors in the Plymouth area. By staying independent from construction, we can concentrate on protecting your home’s best long-term interests.

What does a small house renovation design consultation in Plymouth typically cost?

Costs vary based on service level and project complexity. The Home Revival Blueprint™ and In-Person Classical House Consultation are offered as flat-fee packages with published pricing. For current information, visit the Home Revival Blueprint™ and In-Person Design Consultation pages on our website.

Are you licensed and insured for Michigan residential design work?

Yes. Turnwood Design Group LC operates as a licensed and insured residential builder with a design practice in Michigan. This provides added protection for Plymouth homeowners and aligns with professional expectations in the architecture and construction industries.

How long will the design phase of my Plymouth renovation take?

Timelines depend on scope. A focused planning engagement may wrap up in a matter of weeks, while addition-heavy or multi-phase projects require more time for options, refinement, and documentation. During your initial call, we’ll discuss your specific Plymouth home and outline a realistic schedule based on local permitting and your construction goals.

Working with Turnwood Design Group LC from Plymouth, MI

Office Address: 28232 Schroeder St, Farmington Hills, MI 48331 · Phone: (248) 579-9383

Our Farmington Hills office is a short drive from Plymouth via I-275 and local routes, making in-person meetings and site visits straightforward for homeowners throughout the Plymouth area.

Ready to Plan a Charm-Safe Renovation for Your Plymouth Small Home?

If you live in a 1930–1960 home in Plymouth and want a renovation that feels right for your house, your street, and your budget, schedule a consultation with Turnwood Design Group LC today.

Turnwood Design Group LC · 28232 Schroeder St, Farmington Hills, MI 48331 · (248) 579-9383 · turnwoodgroup.com