Home Improvement Ideas Home Remodeling Before & After Renovations Real-Home Makeover: Home Addition By BHG Test Kitchen BHG Test Kitchen The Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen has been in continuous operation for nearly 100 years, developing and testing practical, reliable recipes that readers can enjoy at home. The Test Kitchen team includes culinary specialists, food stylists, registered and licensed nutritionists, and other experts with Bachelor of Science degrees in food science, food and nutrition, or culinary arts. Together, the team tests more than 2,500 recipes, produces more than 2,500 food images, and creates more than 1,000 food videos each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on April 20, 2017 Share Tweet Pin Email A 900-square-foot addition adds a much-needed family room to this Vermont cottage. 01 of 09 Extending Exteriors The homeowners couldn't resist the 1940s stone cottage, but the growing family needed more space than the 1,800-square-foot home provided. So they added on. To keep the addition from distracting from the home's original architectural charm, they settled on a straightforward carriage house design. Sitting the addition at an offset angle from the main house created a niche for a small patio. Get quotes from addition & remodeling professionals. 02 of 09 Grow-With-Me Floor Plan The new family room includes a loft and offices for the kids and grownups that can be updated with minor adjustments as the family grows. 03 of 09 Smooth Curves A sweeping arched window adds interest to the addition. The cottage's eyebrow window over the front door inspired this detail. Get quotes from addition & remodeling professionals. 04 of 09 Lofty Living Another unique feature in the new family room is the railing detail around the loft, which is intended to grow with the family. The railing on the end is hinged to swing inward for access to a second gathering space. 05 of 09 Attention Grabbers To keep the television and fireplace from competing for attention, the homeowners grouped them together. When a fire is roaring, doors that blend into the room's shiplap siding hide the TV. Get quotes from addition & remodeling professionals. 06 of 09 Office Space Tucked underneath the loft, the grownup office can be closed off with two sets of French doors. The table and recessed bookshelves offer plenty of space to spread out and store items. 07 of 09 Kiddie Domain The kids in the house had some say in how their new work/play space would function. The desk area is wide enough to accommodate two seats, and the built-in storage above the desk is the right height for them to grab what they need. The homeowners designed this space to grow with the children. Get quotes from addition & remodeling professionals. 08 of 09 Plant Central A potting center close to the back door creates a transition area from the house to the outdoors. The hutch features glass doors to show off pots and closed storage to conceal potting supplies. 09 of 09 Water Works The potting center features a wall-mount faucet and two countertop-mount faucets. Varying faucet heights allow the homeowners to work with pots and plants of different sizes. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit