Originally built in the 1950s, The New American Remodel®, the official show home of the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS), had been added onto and remodeled several times over the decades. Not always gracefully. Rooms felt chopped up. Rooflines competed. You could walk through it and clearly read the timeline.
The mission was to create one cohesive home with a single, unified vision.
Finding the Soul of the House
As the team at Phil Kean Design Group peeled back layers, something charming began to emerge. Beneath the boxy remodels was a hint of a Miami 1940s vibe. A cottage character waiting to be rediscovered.
The question became: How do you take a modest cottage on a street lined with 20,000-square-foot mansions and give it presence?
The answer started with the exterior.
Hip roofs and gables were softened. Parapets were added to give the home height and architectural confidence. Corbels introduced character and detail. The front elevation transformed into a strong, intentional statement from the street.
Opening Up the Story
Inside, the transformation was dramatic.
The back family room was opened up. The roofline was raised. A vaulted ceiling now lifts the space and draws the eye toward the backyard. Sightlines from the kitchen and primary bedroom were expanded, connecting the interior to the outdoors.
One of the smartest design decisions came from a simple question: What can we save?
There were two arches in the original home. Instead of removing them, the design expanded on the idea. Arches became a recurring motif. Major transitions between spaces were reshaped into graceful curves, creating rhythm and continuity throughout the house.
Light now flows from room to room, spaces feel larger and movement feels intentional.
In the primary suite, the hallway was opened and lined with arches leading to a stunning curved door. When the door swings open, the layered arches frame a view down the corridor like a living architectural portrait.
Details That Elevate Everyday Living
Throughout the kitchen and TV room, small open niches were carved out to create visual interest. Faux beams stretch across ceilings, adding warmth and character. These are the details that quietly elevate the design without overpowering it.
The result is not just beautiful. It is livable.
That is the true success of The New American Remodel. It feels current and fresh without requiring a teardown and a multimillion dollar rebuild. It demonstrates what can be achieved when you work with what you have and layer in thoughtful design.
This was no small feat. The entire transformation came together in just seven months. It was a true team effort, with every trade and partner aligned behind a shared vision.
Tour It During the Builders’ Show
IBS registrants can experience this transformation firsthand during the Builders’ Show, Feb 17 – 19.
Touring The New American Remodel offers more than inspiration. It offers proof that you do not always have to start from scratch to create something remarkable, that cohesive design, smart planning and strong collaboration can turn a boxy, disconnected house into a warm, architectural standout.