North Shore home renovations are all about the math.

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1 IN ADDITION BY ASHLEY DEVICK 16 North Shore home renovations are all about the math. When it comes to living space, size does matter. As the walls start closing in around growing families, homeowners begin exploring their options relocation, renovation and a fullfledged home addition is a great solution. From enhancing the kitchen to adding a second-floor master suite, additions can increase the overall value of a home and make it more livable until it s time to sell. At the end of the day, however, adding onto your home isn t always that simple of an equation. Ryan Johnstone, principal at Michael Stone Group ( ;Michaelstonegroup.com), a Deerfield-based renovation

2 and construction company, says that most people come in with a must-have list, starting with opening up the space to make it more like a newly constructed home. The challenge is finding the fine line between pricing yourself out of your neighborhood or the market, he says. With home additions costing between $200,000 and $400,000 in most cases, the team at Michael Stone Group suggests starting by looking at the valuation of the house and how it compares to other homes in the neighborhood and how long the owner plans to stay after the project is complete. One of the challenges is that, typically, potential clients have no concept that renovation work costs considerably more per square foot than new construction, Johnstone says. The owners of a Lake Forest home (pictured above) wanted to expand their kitchen by roughly 900 square feet, and enlisted the help of Park Ridge-based Katlia Construction ( ; Katlia.com). The purpose of the renovation was to make the home more appealing to potential buyers and increase its value. People are looking for bigger kitchens these days, so we blew out the back wall to take advantage of the views of the ravine, says Mark Paulson, designer at Katlia. We brought in more natural light, adding a whole room full of windows. Like every addition, this project came with its own set of challenges and a hefty $250,000 price tag. It was an award-winning design in the [original] woodwork, so trying to bring that into a more modern feel in the kitchen took some time, says Vince Ventura, Katlia home-remodeling advisor. The homeowner opted to upgrade the millwork to stay on point with the rest of the home. While it took a little extra time and effort to design the crown molding and the cabinetry,

3 the result was stunning. So how can you tell if an addition is right for your home? Consider these factors: 1. The estimated price of the project should not exceed the valuation of the homes in the area by more than 10 percent 2. You re planning to stay in the home for at least five years after the project, which will allow for appreciation 3. The home has a good infrastructure and can handle a renovation Here, we highlight four homes on the market that got the math right. ~

4 HISTORIC RENOVATION 747 Sheridan in Evanston, $2.6 million

5 Not only was this Howard Van Doren Shaw home expanded, its property line also extended. The owner bought the adjoining property to the east and expanded the yard, but he also renovated the third floor, says broker associate Meredith Meserow (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group, call ). The floor plan is vast, beginning with a beautiful foyer and including large rooms with high ceilings. The second floor boasts three bedrooms, plus a master suite with lake views, a sitting room, office, walk-in closet and a beautiful master bath. The house has been beautifully restored to capture all of its original glory, says Meserow. The owner was meticulous in the renovation when he purchased the home it had linoleum flooring and shag carpeting, she adds. He renovated the third-floor attic space into a great room, bringing the total square footage to over 6,000. It s the perfect fit for someone who loves the beauty of the architecture and doesn t want to go through five years of painstaking renovations, says Meserow.

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7 GRAND DESIGN 790 Bryant in Winnetka, $2.499 million The entire rear of this historic Winnetka mansion was reconfigured to create a kitchen, butler s pantry and small office area. It was an incredible integration of the beautiful historic house with very current amenities, says realtor Paige Dooley (The Hudson Company, call ). The homeowners removed a dilapidated garage to add a lower-level attached garage and mudroom, working with the natural topography of the land. The renovation opened up the whole backyard and, inside, they renovated the master bath

8 and bedrooms. The master bedroom has a sitting room, large walk-in closet and two smaller walk-in closets, and the home is perched on a hill in a picturesque neighborhood.

9 COLONIAL PERFECTION 1229 Cascade in Lake Forest, $995,000 This colonial home was renovated and expanded to gain a brand-new master suite. The bathroom is unreal it s like walking into a spa, says realtor Mary Pat Lundgren (Coldwell Banker, call ). Reconfiguring a master suite is one of the best ways to enhance the value of a property, and these homeowners did it right, with beautiful his-and-her vanities, a soaking tub and separate shower. The rest of the home also charms, due to details think ornate crown molding and a spacious layout. The kitchen is

10 updated with white cabinetry, a farmhouse sink and thick granite countertops. It also gets lots of natural light and features a breakfast area and outdoor access. Other ammenities include a two-car attached garage, spacious laundry room and perfectly manicured exterior plus a bright blue door that s the perfect finishing touch.