Let It Shine

An old Minnesota farmhouse becomes bigger and brighter with a two-story addition that respects the home's history.

Written by Sarah Wolf, Photographs by Susan Gilmore, Produced by Chandra Hammond

Passersby would never guess that Jeff Haddorff and Kara Paymar's home has doubled in size. It looks like the same charming, century-old Dutch Colonial farmhouse, but an addition on the back has raised the bar for function and fun.

City ordinances and the couple's decision to leave the front facade undisturbed dictated that architect Ali Awad and builder Jim Koontz place the 22x24-foot addition on the back of the house. Fortunately the lot is deep enough that the family still has space for a brick patio, a fire pit, and a play set for the children—Eli, 10, and Jonah, 6.

The kitchen, once a cramped corner room, shifted several feet to become part of the new space. It's now accessible from both the butler's pantry and the living room—a boon for circulation.

"The living room had always been a dead end," Jeff says. "But now, to have that flow makes the house feel way bigger than it actually is. And it's been so fun for the kids. They just lap the downstairs, chasing each other around. The design totally enlivens the space."

In the kitchen eating area, French doors lead to a new screen porch, which was high on the family's want list. The porch is furnished with chairs and a dining table crafted by Jeff, a ceramic artist. The space lets the couple savor coffee and the kids pore over homework free from the irritations of mosquitoes and harsh sunlight.

Left: The kitchen moved from a corner of the existing structure to the addition. Warm wood, mustardy paint, and abundant light give the room a sunny disposition.