Small House Renovation Design Specialist | Turnwood Design Group LC | Metro Detroit

Small House Renovation Design Specialist in Metro Detroit

Your Midcentury Home Deserves More Than a Generic Modern Renovation.

Call Now: (248) 579-9383 Request a Design Consultation

Turnwood Design Group LC — Historically sensitive renovation design for 1930–1960 homes in Farmington Hills and Metro Detroit.

Small Historic Homes Designed Differently

Turnwood Design Group LC is a Farmington Hills–based residential design practice focused on one thing: helping owners of 1930–1960 small homes modernize for today while protecting the proportions, charm, and long-term value that make these houses special. Our Charm-Safe Renovation™ Method blends classical architecture, detailed 3D as-builts, and practical construction insight so your renovation looks timeless instead of trendy and works for how you live.

Designing small homes since 2011 Serving Metro Detroit: Oakland, Macomb, Wayne & Washtenaw Counties Charm-Safe Renovation™ Guarantee

Licensed & Insured Historic-Home Renovation Focus Independent Design-Only Specialist Listed on BBB Listed on Yelp

Quick Trust Snapshot

Years of specialization: Over a decade focused on small 1930–1960 homes in Metro Detroit.
Service area: Farmington Hills–based, serving Oakland, Macomb, Wayne & Washtenaw Counties.
USP & Guarantee: Charm-Safe Renovation™ Guarantee — every design is rooted in classical proportion and nationally recognized historic rehabilitation guidance, so your home ends up feeling like “your house, only better,” with an included refinement round if the first concept doesn’t feel right.
Verified online presence: Active website, Google Business Profile, Yelp, BBB, Houzz, and Facebook pages.

Historic-preservation resources like the National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation help guide our approach to character-defining features and compatible additions.

Why Choose Turnwood Design Group for Your Small House Renovation?

Exclusively focused on 1930–1960 small homes.
We spend our days studying Cape Cods, ranches, colonials, and storybook cottages in Metro Detroit—not new builds or speculative projects—so every recommendation respects the era, massing, and details of your home. Preservation resources like the National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs outline why tailoring work to a building’s historic character matters.
Historically respectful designs, aligned with national standards.
When we propose additions, porch changes, or exterior updates, we take cues from the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, which emphasize preserving historic materials and character-defining features while allowing thoughtful modernization (NPS Rehabilitation Standards).
Evidence-based planning to protect your budget and ROI.
With U.S. homeowners now spending hundreds of billions annually on home improvement, planning the right sequence of work is critical to avoid wasteful changes (Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies — Remodeling). Our Home Revival Blueprint™ prioritizes high-impact moves that protect both character and resale value.
3D scans and as-built documentation to reduce construction surprises.
We use LiDAR scanning and detailed as-built documentation so you and your contractor see the real conditions before walls come down. Industry research shows accurate as-builts and 3D laser scanning improve coordination and reduce costly field changes (3D laser scanning benefits; importance of as-built drawings).
Preservation-minded, community-oriented approach.
We believe your renovation should strengthen your street and neighborhood, not fight it. The National Trust for Historic Preservation notes that saving and sensitively improving older homes supports local identity and neighborhood vitality (Six Reasons to Save Old Buildings).

Small House Renovation & Design Services

Home Revival Blueprint™ (Online Design Consultation)

The Home Revival Blueprint™ is a focused online consultation that evaluates how your small home currently works, identifies bottlenecks in circulation, light, and storage, and maps out a phased plan to modernize without erasing original character. You’ll leave with a clear, written roadmap instead of a pile of disconnected ideas.

Learn more and check current pricing on the official service page: Home Revival Blueprint™.

Thoughtful planning up front mirrors best practices recommended by preservation and planning resources, such as the National Trust’s guide on planning a restoration or rehabilitation project.

In-Person Classical House Consultation

For Metro Detroit homeowners ready to dive deeper, our in-person consultation brings a small-house renovation design specialist to your home. We walk the property, review your goals, perform a detailed measurement + LiDAR scan, and develop a tailored classical design strategy that respects structure, zoning, and budget.

Explore the full scope of this service: In-Person Design Consultation.

Our approach follows principles in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, which emphasize retaining historic character while allowing sensitive upgrades (Standards for Rehabilitation).

Exterior & Curb Appeal Design for Older Homes

We redesign front elevations, porches, roofs, dormers, and entries so your house looks cohesive and timeless from the street. Every exterior move—window re-proportioning, porch columns, trim profiles—is sized to your home’s scale and neighborhood context, not to a passing trend.

For guidance on compatible additions and exterior changes, we reference resources such as the National Park Service’s brief on new additions, which stresses preserving massing, scale, and character (NPS — New Additions to Historic Buildings).

Historically Consistent Additions & Interior Renovation Planning

Whether you’re considering a second-story dormer, a rear family-room addition, or re-planning a tight 1950s kitchen, we design additions and interior changes that feel like they were always meant to be there. Plans consider structure, circulation, daylight, and long-term maintenance, not just the next few years.

Federal regulations summarizing the Standards for Rehabilitation highlight the importance of preserving historic materials and overall significance, even when adding new work (36 CFR 67.7 — Standards for Rehabilitation).

As-Built Drawings & 3D Scanning for Renovation

Accurate existing-conditions drawings are the foundation of a successful renovation. We combine on-site measurement with LiDAR scanning to produce detailed 2D plans and 3D models you can share with any contractor, engineer, or interior designer, reducing guesswork during construction.

Industry sources note that reliable as-built documentation is essential for future renovations and helps prevent costly errors (Autodesk on as-built drawings; Matterport on as-built documentation).

What Homeowners Say

A Farmington Hills client on Turnwood’s design-process page shares that the team “helped us to see our vision” and provided “a wonderful design experience,” highlighting both clarity and collaboration in the renovation planning process (see testimonial from M. Libbing on the Turnwood Design Group website).

Source: Turnwood Design Group — Design Process

On Houzz, Turnwood Design Group LC is described as highly sought after for classically proportioned residential work, with projects typically in the $80,000–$1,000,000 renovation range—signaling a focus on serious, investment-grade projects rather than quick cosmetic flips.

Source: Houzz — Turnwood Design Group LC

Turnwood Design Group is also listed among Residential Designers in Metro Detroit directories and review platforms, including Yelp and BBB.

Profiles: Yelp · BBB listing

See Verified Profiles

Small House Renovation Design & Metro Detroit FAQ

What is a small house renovation design specialist?

A small house renovation design specialist focuses on the unique constraints and opportunities of compact, often midcentury homes. Instead of forcing “big house” ideas into small footprints, Turnwood Design Group LC analyzes structure, proportions, circulation, and historic details to create a renovation plan that makes your home feel larger, brighter, and more functional while preserving the character that adds value.

Do you only work on homes in Farmington Hills?

No. Turnwood Design Group LC is based in Farmington Hills but serves homeowners across Metro Detroit, including Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, and Washtenaw Counties. Many projects are in communities such as Farmington, Northville, Plymouth, Novi, and surrounding neighborhoods where 1930–1960 homes are common.

Can you help preserve the historic character of my 1940s or 1950s home?

Yes. Preserving character is central to our Charm-Safe Renovation™ Method. We study your home’s era, style, and character-defining features and use nationally recognized guidance like the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and National Park Service Preservation Briefs to inform exterior and interior decisions so upgrades feel authentic rather than forced.

Do you handle construction, or just the renovation design?

Turnwood Design Group LC is an independent, design-focused practice. We specialize in analysis, 3D scanning, renovation design, and construction documents, then collaborate with your chosen contractor or help you vet local builders. This separation allows us to advocate for your home’s best interest and coordinate with whichever qualified team you hire.

How much does a small house renovation design consultation cost?

The investment depends on the level of service and complexity of your home. Online Home Revival Blueprint™ sessions and in-person Classical House Consultations are structured as flat-fee services, with transparent pricing listed on each service page. For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, visit the Home Revival Blueprint™ or In-Person Design Consultation pages.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Turnwood Design Group LC operates as a licensed and insured residential design practice in Michigan. This provides an additional layer of protection for homeowners and aligns with best practices recommended by professional design and construction organizations.

How long does the small house renovation design process usually take?

Timelines vary with project scope, but most small-house renovation design engagements move from initial consultation to a solid master plan within several weeks. More complex additions, multi-phase renovations, or detailed construction documents can take longer. During your initial call, we’ll outline a realistic timeline based on your home, goals, and permitting environment in your part of Metro Detroit.

Visit or Work with Turnwood Design Group LC

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

Located in northwest Farmington Hills, just a short drive from major corridors like I-696 and I-275, Turnwood Design Group LC is well positioned to serve small-home owners across Metro Detroit.

Ready to Give Your Small Home a Timeless, Charm-Safe Renovation?

If you own a 1930–1960 home in Metro Detroit and want a renovation that feels “right” for the house, the neighborhood, and your budget, schedule your consultation with Turnwood Design Group LC today.

Call Now: (248) 579-9383 Book Your Home Revival Blueprint™