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Before & After: Turning a Small ‘50s House Into a Modern Oasis

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Small house in Sherman House, Los Angeles, before being demolished for a new home constructionLuxury home remodel in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles by A-List Builders

Vintage homes continue to hold an appeal for some, especially in today’s market where the prices of modern homes are rising in Southern California. But for others, an older structure may prevent them from getting the most use out of their space. Another issue with vintage homes is that they often lack modern conveniences, which can be a major problem for owners who are not so interested in maintaining the classic appeal of their house. 

Take into account this small ‘50s house that we razed in Sherman Oaks. This small house had the potential to be so much more, as you will see in this before and after. If you’re wondering what you could do to turn your small house into something more functional for your needs, see what we were able to achieve by renovating a small house in the whole house remodel before and after example below!

Before the Renovation

A property lot in Sherman Oaks after demolition of a vintage property for a new home construction by A-List Builders

This small ‘50s house in Sherman Oaks was once a little blue home that started out as a 537 square foot floor plan, which presented challenges in regards to the owners getting the most out of their space as well as not having the contemporary style or functionality that most homeowners expect today. 

Rather than attempting to remodel the existing structure to leverage the space offered by the house, we decided that the best course of action would be to start from scratch, putting a new structure in its place that would offer more space and greater functionality for the owners. This decision proved to be an excellent way to take advantage of the property’s potential.

When approaching such a project, what does renovating a small house like this look like when it’s finally finished? Here’s what we were able to do converting these small lot house plans into something much larger.

After the Renovation

Front view of Lennox house property renovation in Sherman Oaks, CA

The final product of this renovation is a 3000 square foot modern oasis that is a major upgrade from the previous 1951 home that previously stood in its place.

View of great room in complete home construction by A-List Builders in Sherman Oaks

The house is now a gorgeous two-story home with modern security upgrades and a stunning minimalistic design both inside and out. The first floor offers a spacious open concept floor plan, combining the kitchen, dining area, and living space into one great room. The area is accentuated by the massive glass windows that reveal the backyard as well as a small outdoor sitting space located right next to the dining area. To make work more convenient, a home office has been included in this plan as well.

Backyard of Lennox house

The backyard now offers plenty of space for entertaining, offering outdoor furniture for lounging, a built-in grill, and island space for eating and preparing food. On the other side of the backyard, we’ve included a modern soaking pool and jacuzzi for when the owners feel like taking a dip.

Master bedroom in Lennox house remodel in Sherman Oaks

Traveling up the beautiful glass staircase will reveal a sprawling second story that offers four bedrooms and four baths, a major upgrade from the previous one bed/one bath home that we first approached when we were tasked with renovating the original small house. 

The final result of this whole house remodel before and after is a modern home that makes the most of the lot space and truly takes the homeowner’s experience (and the home’s value) to the next level. 

Make More of Your Space With A-List Builders

Open floor plan property in Reseda with patio for entertaining guests

Do you have a home that is simply not spacious enough for your living needs or does not offer what you need in order to get the most of your homeownership? The good news is that you don’t have to settle. The next step to take when you’re looking into renovating a small house is to reach out to A-List Builders. 

Our team of expert designers and contractors work with you every step of the way to help you envision what your space could truly offer, making sure that you’re covered from conception to completion. If you’re interested in taking a small space, like the one offered by the house in this Sherman Oaks project, and transforming it into a home that you’ll be able to truly fall in love with, all you have to do is get started is to reach out to us so we can better determine your needs and whether or not we’re the right fit for you, allow us to conduct an in-home consultation to determine what we can make happen and how long it will take to achieve, and leave the rest to us! 

Looking to transform your property’s lot to increase its value and its space? If so, schedule a discovery call with us so that we can act on your dream of renovating a small house and transform it into a sprawling modern home like the one shown in the project above!

Check Out the Entire Sherman Oaks Renovation Gallery

Our clients believe in us.

Here is what a few of them say.

  • Kobi R.

    It’s been years since I’ve done any work to my home so I was nervous about the whole project. Thankfully, I found a company that not only provided me with a patient ( I am very particular) and punctual contractor, Rani, but the job came out better than I expected. After doing such an amazing job on the kitchen, I expressed to Rani that I would like to do some more work with him but money, unfortunately, doesn’t grow on trees. Fortunately, Rani found an affordable way for me to redo all the bathrooms and flooring throughout the house.

  • Beverly S.

    Our initial meeting with Rani was excellent due to him giving us information and ideas we hadn’t thought of. He returned a week later with a presentation for our kitchen. Again, we were surprised at his additional ideals and his presentation. We had previously had two of the big-box stores come out so we had an idea of cost. Rani was more reasonable and offered us better and more creative ideas. Our kitchen is completed and we feel we qualify for Better Homes & Gardens. We would recommend our experience and job to everyone.

  • Warren M.

    After about a year and a half after we remodeled our bathroom, we had some minor electrical issues and reached out to A-List Builders. Ben followed up consistently and in a timely manner until my needed repair work was done.

  • Debbie W.

    Everyone was professional, nice and knowledgeable. I am so happy with their work and I will be using them again for my next project. In addition, I will be referring them (which I don't do unless I completely trust a job well done) to my family and friends. Thank you, again, for such a positive experience.

  • Deborah B.

    I hired A-List for a large restoration project. The project involved wall replacement with framing & drywall, stucco, exterior & interior painting, foundation reinforcement, a new exterior gate, fence repair, brick & tile walkways. Ben was the only contractor I interviewed who recommended that an engineer inspect the foundation as part of the evaluation process. Megan cheerfully worked through the process with my insurance company. All of the on-site workers were a pleasure to work with. They arrived early, were professional, & kept the work-site clean & organized...even the city inspector commented positively about A-List's knowledge & organization. A-List Builders did a great job & their follow-up was excellent.

  • Lou D.

    Like so many people in LA we bought a fixer upper. Over the last 5 years we have searched intently for a contractor we could trust. Never has a contractor come on our property that affected us the way Ben and Megan from A-List Builders have. They immediately understood our needs and made brilliant suggestions. They answered every question, every call, and it was such a difference dealing with them than any company we've ever hired before. They did not waste a minute of our time, nor did they try to get us to do more than we wanted. Their pricing is more than fair. They are so good at what they do and completely trustworthy and make hard things much easier. There actually IS a really good General Contractor out there and a company that does all that it promises and more.

  • Anonymous

    I used A-List Builders for my Bathroom Remodel and my bathroom is more beautiful now than I could have ever imagined...I met with Ben who gave me a free estimate for the job and knew right away that A-List Builders was the company I was going to use for the job. Their estimate was fair, and their communication throughout the entire process was fantastic. I always knew there was going to be someone else on the other line if I needed to get a hold of them for any reason. Their workers were true pros that did an immaculate job, excellent craftmanship and very good at keeping the renovation area very clean. I absolutely love my new bathroom and have already recommended them to two of my friends. Truly a great experience!

So, what do you think?

If you’re ready to start talking about your project,
pick up the phone and give us a call at


877-582-7770

While we continue to see uncertainty with the Los Angeles stay-at-home orders, our customers' and teams' safety is our number one priority. Deemed an essential service, we are still working closely with our clients on their remodeling projects, all while practicing caution as outlined by the Building & Safety Departments Guidelines.

As we continue to adapt to these changes, we are happy to discuss your project via phone assessments & remote consultations when necessary. We are changing our approach as this situation evolves, and we are committed to providing the best service possible.

Please contact us or call us at (877) 582-7770 to get the conversation started.

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