A growing family contacted detaiLAB to provide design options to their one 1/2-story plus basement home in Chicago, IL.  The existing house is located on a deep lot with a garage blocking access and views.  The family wanted to open up the home and provide views of the grand backyard.  The garage was difficult to use because of the proximity to the house.  DetaiLAB offered several options for the family to consider.  

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The ideal solution relocated the garage below the new addition providing sweeping views and a large deck from the new living room with a high cathedral ceiling.  The kitchen and dining room reversed position, and the wall between them was removed.  DetaiLAB recommended partial removal of the exterior wall to connect the living spaces and provide expansive views to the vast rear yard.  The existing master bedroom was relocated to the other side of the house, with a new master bath tucked around the existing stair.  The bedroom relocation removed the awkward and tight entry corridor and opened up the home by adding a family/guest room with a built-in murphy bed.  A tub was added to the existing 1/2 bath upstairs for children's bedrooms, and built-in desks were added.  The existing restrictive closets were removed and replaced with more expansive closets.  Additional windows were added to provide natural light.