09/29/2026
Some whole-home remodels are driven by one big idea. This Lake Oswego home was different. This project was really about taking a dated 1970s split-level and carefully solving dozens of smaller problems until the entire home finally worked as one.
The original layout felt segmented and dark. The living room was sunken, partition walls interrupted the flow, and the kitchen, dining and living spaces all felt more disconnected than the homeowners wanted.
So we started by rethinking how the main level functioned. We raised the living room floor, removed walls and opened the path from the entry into the kitchen, dining room and living room. The kitchen was completely rebuilt with custom rift-sawn oak cabinetry, the fireplace was resurfaced, new oak flooring tied the main spaces together, and a large sliding door opened the dining room to the patio and backyard.
At the rear of the house, we added square footage to create a new primary suite, turning a small bedroom and cramped bath into a much more comfortable retreat with a generous bathroom, walk-in closet and windows overlooking the wooded backyard.
The homeowner also came into the process with a very clear point of view. She had previously owned a home staging business and knew exactly how she wanted the finished spaces to feel: warm, refined and cohesive, with high-end finishes throughout.
Our job was not simply to execute a design. It was to figure out how to protect that vision while working within the realities of the budget and schedule.
That meant being thoughtful about where to invest, where to simplify and how to keep the project moving. Even the secondary basement bath was approached strategically, with clean updated finishes that allowed more of the budget to go toward the areas that mattered most to the homeowners.
The final home feels dramatically different, but not because any one element is trying to steal the show. Warm oak, soft whites, natural light, custom millwork and carefully chosen details now carry consistently from room to room.
What was once a segmented mid-century split-level is now a bright, comfortable home that feels intentional from the moment you walk through the new French doors.
And for us, that is the part of remodeling that matters most: taking a homeowner’s very specific vision, working through the constraints honestly, and finding a way to deliver a finished home everyone is genuinely proud of.
Thinking about reimagining your home? Whether that means opening up a dated floor plan, adding space, updating kitchens and bathrooms, or taking on a full renovation, Conrad Construction can help you make the right decisions from the beginning.
Let’s talk about what’s possible.
📞 (971) 351-0201
conradconstruct.com
