My husband and I have lived in our 40+ year old split level for 11 years. We really can't begin to tell you all of the things we don't like about our home, but we LOVE our neighborhood and general area. We are seriously considering bumping out the main floor with the kit/livrm/dinrm about 8' and adding a second floor which would include a master bdrm/bthrm, sitting area and lots of storage. Has anyone done such a project or do any of you have any ideas to update an old and impractical split?

Thanks for your time and input!
Caroline

Just out of curiosity. is there anything for sale in your neighborhood that you might like better? :-)

We lived a split level for many years (over 20) and found the need to expand a couple of times. After researching the neighborhood and surrounding towns for examples of architecturally successful expansions of split levels, we came to the conclusion that the only way to do it was out, not up. Splits are difficult to add on to vertically. Somehow they never keep the charm and "low-to-the-ground" look that first attracted us to them. We added on a couple of times, but both times were horizontally, not vertically. But that was our taste, we're both designers.

Thanks for your response. Well, the prices of housing have skyrocketed beyond reason in our area. We have been going back and forth with the idea of just moving, but it would be financially impractical. I have to say we actually don't like the exterior look of our home. We were sold more on the interior "potential" at the time. So...I don't mind changing the exterior look...it's very dated. We originally were going to build outward, but we are on a corner lot and we would end up way too close to the street. Our lot is very odd. It's deep in the front, but very shallow in back and the width is deepest off of the garage where we wouldn't want to build from...it's very odd.

What type of designer are you? I actually went to school for interior design, but never practiced it.

Thanks again..
Caroline

What kind of designer? I suppose it depends on the situation. I was a professional student for a while. But eventually got degrees and registrations as an civil engineer and landscape architect. But...like I said, as a professional student, I spent a good deal of time studying to be an architect. It was a dizzying trail to be sure.