TIP #2: Create an inside-outside layout. The boxy look is old news. Contemporary homeowners want a bright, clean, uncluttered space. Avoid low ceilings and claustrophobic dark zones. 

Downstairs, they started from the ground up. They put down new flooring: white oak hardwood in a seafoam shade. After that, the kitchen got extra loving care. They created a practical island layout and installed state-of-the-art cabinets. An arsenal of stainless steel, Miehle appliances introduced the latest 21st century technology. Future chefs would be pleased.

Form followed function throughout the reinvention, but some changes were for looks alone. The homeowners installed bi-fold front doors at the entry and added more sliding doors at the perimeter of the great room. That space had originally been closed off. Stepping inside the house, your first impression was a wall. They got rid of it. Instead, you now see a view of the lake and the golf course beyond it.

TIP#3: Technology is your friend. High-tech features take your home to the next level. These range from convenience and security to networked media systems. This tech is cutting-edge now, but it’s quickly becoming the standard.