Before & After: A Revived Midcentury in Wisconsin With Barrel-Vaulted Ceilings Asks $550K

Outside Milwaukee, this 1960 residence features an “upside-down” floor plan with an airy communal area upstairs.

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A unique midcentury residence recently resurfaced on the market in Bayside, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. Originally built in 1960, the home underwent a year-long renovation that gutted much of the structure but managed to save its most impressive feature: a barrel-vaulted roof. The home’s first designer, thought to have been local architect Robert Newgard Strauss, flipped the traditional floor plan by placing the public spaces upstairs—a feature the latest owner also embraced by turning the closed-off upper level into an open, loft-like living space.

Recently listed in Bayside, Wisconsin, this renovated midcentury property comprises two detached structures—a two-bay garage and a barrel-vaulted house—connected by a central patio. A pass-through between the garages is punctuated by a large tree growing in the middle.

Inside, an original "upside down" floor plan places the living areas upstairs to take advantage of views and the dramatic vaulted ceilings. The latest renovation ditched several walls to create a single open room across the top floor, illuminated by floor-to-ceiling windows at each end.

The upper level of the home—once divided by several interior walls and tired from decades of use—is now an open kitchen, dining space, and living room, with space for additional seating areas and a study in one corner. While the original wood-clad walls were removed to replace plumbing and make other necessary updates, the home’s exposed beams and wood-clad ceilings remain, as does a central fireplace. The kitchen was also gutted and upgraded with all-new cabinetry, appliances, and fixtures.

Before: Kitchen and Dining Room

Before: The original kitchen was hidden behind a wall at the top of the stairs.

Before: While outdated and worn from decades of use, the sunlit space did benefit from a large window across one wall.

After: Kitchen and Dining Room

With the previous wall removed, the updated kitchen makes room for a central island overlooking the dining area and staircase landing. The same full-width window overlooks the front of the home and the central patio.

At the opposite end, overlooking the rear of the home, is the open dining area.

Another view of the dining space reveals the fireplace and sitting area.

Before: Sitting Area

Before: A look at the original sitting area shows a wall dividing the space from a living area.

After: Sitting Area

With the wall removed, the space feels much more connected to the rest of the home.

The updated fireplace, now painted white, retains the original floating hearth.

Before: Office and Living Area

Before: The living area was once dominated by wood-clad walls and largely closed off from other rooms.

After: Office and Living Area

Today, one end of the living room is a sunny office space with built-in floating shelves.

The opposite end of the living area retains its original function and features an expansive view of the lush property.

The U-shaped floor plan wraps around the staircase at the front of the home.

The staircase also provides access to the main entrance, as well as the bedrooms.

Downstairs, the home features three bedrooms and two full bathrooms—each of which have been fully modernized with new fixtures and finishes. A row of casement windows provides ample natural light while creating more privacy for each of the rooms. In total, the home offers just over 2,000 square feet of interior space.

A look at one of the three bedrooms, each of which feature a row of windows along the top.

Before: Principal Bathroom

Before: the bathrooms offered a mix of finishes from previous renovations.

After: Principal Bathroom

Like the kitchen, each of the home's two bathrooms were gutted to repair utilities and add new finishes. Here, the principal bathroom features a walk-in shower with a copper rain head.

Another view of the updated bathroom shows a double vanity along the opposite wall.

The home’s facade and outdoor spaces received their share of the work as well. The owner notes that the exterior siding was replaced, as was the rubber roof. An overgrown patio was also swapped out for a new concrete pad, offering a large space for entertaining while providing easier access between the garage and main house. The 1.25-acre lot also includes a large, grassy lawn. Keep scrolling to see more of the property, currently listed for $549,900.