Nip Tuck Remodeling is proud to announce that our project, Cottage on the Course, earned second place in the Major Remodel – 2,001+ sq ft category at the 2026 Remodeling Excellence Awards hosted by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. The recognition is especially meaningful because this home required a careful balance of preservation, problem-solving, and transformation — the kind of work that sits at the heart of what we do best.
Preserving the Cottage, Reimagining the Layout
On a street where many homeowners opt to tear down and rebuild, this family chose a different path. They loved the character of their 1960s one-story ranch, from the low roofline to the cottage feel, and the opportunity to preserve something with history, but the layout no longer supported the way they lived. The kitchen faced away from the golf course, the living spaces felt fragmented, the sunken living room created an obstacle, and key spaces like the primary bath, pantry, office, and laundry room simply weren’t working for a modern family.
A Floor Plan Built for the Way the Family Lives Now
Rather than starting over, the team focused on making the home right. That meant rethinking the floor plan from the inside out: raising the sunken floor, removing the powder room, and reorienting the kitchen toward the fairway. Once walls came down and large sliding doors opened the living room to the outdoors, the main spaces began to feel connected, expansive, and intentional. A dramatic island anchors the kitchen, while the geometric backsplash, custom navy wet bar, and statement cast stone fireplace bring both personality and polish to the heart of the home.
The transformation continued into private spaces, where every member of the family gained the functionality they needed. The primary suite became a true retreat with French doors, an updated fireplace, a double vanity, walk-in shower, soaking tub, and calm finishes. The children’s bedrooms were enlarged with private baths, the husband’s office was carved out of the original powder room and kitchen footprint, and a 77-square-foot addition converted the garage breezeway into a proper laundry room, craft area, and walk-in pantry. Every square foot was reimagined to work harder, look better, and feel more effortless.
From Fragmented Spaces to a Connected Home
Projects like this are rarely simple, and Cottage on the Course was no exception. The home had been remodeled multiple times over the years, which meant the construction team had to navigate shifting rough framing and unexpected conditions throughout the process. Exterior changes also required precision, especially as window openings were altered and the breezeway was enclosed to create a seamless result. Matching, patching, and painting the entire façade white unified the exterior and delivered the crisp cottage look the clients had envisioned.
The result is a home that honors what the clients loved most about the original house while making it significantly more livable for the way they live today. The kitchen now faces the fairway, the home flows naturally, and the cottage character that made the property worth saving has been elevated rather than erased. We’re honored to have this work recognized by MBAKS and grateful to our clients for trusting us to bring their vision to life.
Moments from the REX Awards
Images courtesy MBAKS
