Hillside House

Location
Portland, OR
Size
5,252 SF
Believe it or not... it's a remodel.

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After the whole house remodel, large windows and sliding glass doors at the back of the house provide a view of Mount Hood.

The owners of this 1940s single-story house in Portland’s Hillside neighborhood were expecting, and the home simply wasn’t keeping up. A small one-car garage, low basement ceilings, a tight first-floor layout, and barely any usable space above left little room to grow. What started as a list of problem areas quickly pointed toward something much bigger—a true down to the studs remodel.

Rather than working around those limitations, we rethought the house from the ground up—beginning with digging the basement deeper to unlock usable space below.

Context site plan with the remodel highlighted in orange, showing surrounding homes, winding streets, and dense existing tree canopy.
The home after the down to the studs house remodel is three stories tall with a tuck under garage.

In addition to changes below grade, the remodel involved removing everything above the first floor and gutting the remainder of the structure down to the studs. In the end, the home extends upward to include a second floor and occupiable attic.

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Before
After
Exterior detail of the remodeled home showing cedar shingle siding, a tall stone chimney, and deep roof overhangs against a bright sky.

A down to the studs remodel is an opportunity to rethink how a home performs.

With the structure opened up, we reworked the building envelope with exterior insulation and a rainscreen system—improving durability while quietly reducing energy loss. At the roof, spray foam insulation allowed us to maintain the clean, traditional eave profile while fully insulating the space below.

These decisions also shaped the exterior expression. A new stone chimney anchors the house and adds a sense of permanence, while a subtle flare in the shingle siding helps break down the scale and introduces a consistent shadow line across the facade.

A heavy 9/4 (two-inch) window trim suggests traditionally built solid wood windows.

However, the windows are actually modern insulated casements with simulated cottage-style divided lights. The shingle flare detail extends to each window, creating a natural drip that tucks up under the siding.

Window detail from a down to the studs remodel, featuring new wood shingle siding and crisp white trim with carefully aligned courses.
Exterior detail of painted wood brackets and exposed rafter tails beneath the roof overhang, set against cedar shingle siding.

At the rear of the home, custom brackets support an awning. This detail breaks down the scale of the two-story elevation and provides a shaded respite space. If you want to step outside on a rainy day, this protected spot keeps you dry while you take in the breathtaking view of Mt. Hood in the distance.

Front entry detail with a bold blue door and sidelights featuring decorative glass, framed by cedar shingle siding and a covered porch.
Garage detail from a down to the studs remodel featuring white paneled doors, a central light fixture, and cedar shingle siding above.

The revamped layout supports a large, luxurious kitchen. Granite counters, stainless steel appliances and polished nickel fixtures add a touch of shine. Painted cabinets and crown mouldings complete the look.

A soft blend of blues and greens, the client’s favorite colors, brings depth and texture to the backsplash.

Kitchen detail showing a stone countertop, light gray cabinetry, and a multicolored tile backsplash beneath a window with white trim.
Bright kitchen with white cabinetry, a large island with sink, stone countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a soft-toned tile backsplash.
Built-in cabinet from a down to the studs remodel featuring white shaker doors, glass-front uppers, and a subtle tile backsplash.

The delightful tile provides a kaleidoscope detail in the dining room niche.

Kitchen counter detail with a manual citrus press, three oranges, a stone countertop, and a soft-toned glass tile backsplash.
Top view of a kitchen island with a stone countertop, showing a cutting board with fresh vegetables, a knife, and a glass of red wine beside the sink.

Details, details, and more details.

The stair design provides the classic white riser-wood tread combo. White oak treads and black iron pickets continue the traditional design.

A dramatic skylight infuses the walk-in shower experience with ambiance—casting fun shadow shapes across the luxurious tile surfaces day and night.

Stair detail with wood treads, painted risers, a square newel post, and black metal balusters with decorative accents.
Shower interior from a down to the studs remodel featuring white tile walls, a skylight above, and a recessed ceiling with integrated lighting.
Bathroom tile detail with horizontal stone tiles and a decorative mosaic accent band in soft gray and blue tones.

Tile takes center stage in the bathroom, with carefully crafted details throughout.

Close-up of a mosaic tile accent band with wavy pattern in gray, blue, and green tones set within rectangular stone tiles.
Shower floor detail with small mosaic tile in a linear pattern with green accents, bordered by square stone tiles.
Corner detail of a mosaic tile border with layered green and blue accents framing a field of white stone tiles laid in a herringbone pattern.
Corner detail of a tile inset with vertical stone strips in varied tones of white, gray, and green, framed by a small square mosaic border.
Front exterior of a down to the studs remodel at dusk, featuring cedar shingle siding, a covered entry, and a new two-car garage integrated into the sloped site.