For this project, we were working with an older home that had many renovations over the years. Our goal was to remodel the second level of the home to change it to a modern layout. We began the design work on this remodel with a focus on utility and our homeowners’ desire to create a more functional second level of their home. Being an older home, the layout had many small rooms which we were eager to change. In addition, the best view in the house was in the rarely used three-season room along the back of the house.

With activities for all seasons and fantastic views, Wisconsin residents know how to take advantage of their many lakes! With permanent residents neighboring seasonal tenants, these homes are a wonderful place to spend any season. It’s no wonder these properties are in high demand, the proximity to the lake makes entertaining easy or simply staying home to enjoy the view.

When the temperatures are up and the sun is out, there’s nothing better than being in your own personal slice of paradise on the lake. Not every property is perfect, and some need more help than others. That’s where our team comes in! Our experience, especially with lake homes, makes us particularly well suited to tackle the nuances of remodels or the building of new properties.

There’s something to be said about the charm of farmhouse architecture and decor- and why it is trending now to style your modern day home. Liking the decor and living in a farmhouse are two very different ideas, as farm houses have often not been updated for many years. Elements of the home that give them charm are often accompanied by creaky floors and drafty windows. Thankfully, the Michael F. Simon team knows how to solve those problems and many more!

Our clients recently purchased an old farmhouse in order to keep the property in the family. The original home had an addition put on many years ago that left the kitchen and mudroom in a tight corner, and the first floor lacked an area to entertain guests. To make this home suit their needs, we needed to help them make some changes! In our design process we centralized the kitchen, added much needed storage, and converted the side deck into a screen porch. The goal was to preserve the charm of the home while still making repairs as needed and updating fixtures and appliances. Looking at the before and after, we agree it was a success!

The Michael F. Simon Builders team boasted about this remodel when we started work this past summer and are pleased to see the hard work pay off. Our client brought us a beautiful lake home with a less than ideal layout. We helped layout a functional design that created a more suitable place for our clients and their family. Adding a first floor Master Bedroom and redesigning the main level bath as an ensuite was a must-have for our clients. In addition, the old garage and kitchen we re-envisioned into a new kitchen, laundry room, and study.

The Lower Level is a large room with plenty of potential living space for your family. Yet, the unfinished walls and ceiling make this part of the home less comfortable and inviting. With a little extra investment, you can make the downstairs more functional and attractive. Our clients used their lower level as an exercise area and room for their children to play. The space’s functionality left a lot to be desired.

To meet our client’s needs, our plan was to create a new layout that had design elements of their upstairs level. To begin, we created plans to transform the open space into three distinct areas as well as add a bathroom.

Custom built lake homes are something Madison has no shortage of! We are proud to present another beautiful project. Nothing beats the serenity and beauty of a Lake Mendota lakefront home. The views are out of this world, and there’s something peaceful about the sound and sight of water.

Before and afters are easy to look at and dream about. The team at Michael F. Simon Builders knows about the hard work that happens in between. For that reason, our clients came to us with this project in hopes of preserving this carriage house on their property. The dream was to transform it into a functional space where they can entertain family and friends. They loved many of the elements that made the space unique but also wanted the space to function in today’s day and age. The existing structure proved an interesting challenge as it was not equipped with proper plumbing, insulation, or electricity and had many areas that were too old or damaged to be repaired.

A lake home renovation can be a challenge! Our client offered us the amazing opportunity to remodel the entirety of a Lake Mendota Lake home this summer! We have been hard at work converting some outdated features as well as preserving wonderful original elements of the home.  We developed a plan of action based on how our client wished to use the property. They wanted this to be their home to retire in. Easy access to Lake Mendota was key! They also wanted a variety of indoor/outdoor retreats. Although the location was ideal, there were many elements of the property that were outdated.

To meet our client’s needs, our plan was to create a new layout on the first floor that accommodated a master ensuite as well as their primary living areas, kitchen, and dining room. This meant removing the existing garage and redoing nearly all of the plumbing and electricals in this area. The three-season porch was to be reframed to allow more lighting into the living room, and the upstairs sunroom will become a deck.  We kept many special features of the home in mind, and have been carefully saving fixtures, the original staircase, and the living room fireplace.  

With all of the elements Wisconsin seasons throws at you, it is still a pleasure to enjoy your morning coffee or evening cocktail on a space close to home that reminds you of the great outdoors. It may have you thinking about how to extend its pleasures beyond the warmer months. The room that divides indoor and out, is the three-season porch, architecture’s easy­going solution to the scorching sun, lightning storms, and biting bugs of late summer in Wisconsin.

Adding a season-spanning porch was just what our clients wanted when they approached Dan, our remodel salesman at Michael F. Simon Builders. Creating a private space that could provide retreat outside of the home and offer shelter from the more extreme heat and cold were their objectives.

Beautiful fireplaces have come back in vogue, finding them once again as a functional center of the home. Whether you are looking for a sleek modern design or a traditional stone hearth, you won’t regret making a big statement.  While many remodels focus on kitchens we here at Michael F. Simon know that a fireplace can be just as much of a statement as a flashy counter top and new appliances.

The living room is one of the most regularly used spaces in the home. It is where people congregate, entertain, unwind, and interact . Often, it is also where children play or study and adults work. With the many uses this room has, homeowners may wish to consider remodeling to improve both its appearance and function. Living room remodels vary in price, effected by size, materials selected, and the style of the space. Remodeling to improve design and functionality will add value for you and your family and future buyers as well!