Even though the rooms became larger as walls came down, and a second story was added, the renovated house is still a modest 1,250 square feet. But the family loves the manageable size and is thankful for its cost-cutting ways. "It’s allowed us to have nicer things because we don’t have as many things," says Boardman. "Even during construction, what kind of windows we bought, what siding we got—it made those decisions a lot easier because we weren't choosing a hundred windows or providing siding for 3000 square feet." Photo 10 of 10 in Portland's Cape Cod Remodel by Amara Holstein

Portland's Cape Cod Remodel

10 of 10

Even though the rooms became larger as walls came down, and a second story was added, the renovated house is still a modest 1,250 square feet. But the family loves the manageable size and is thankful for its cost-cutting ways. "It’s allowed us to have nicer things because we don’t have as many things," says Boardman. "Even during construction, what kind of windows we bought, what siding we got—it made those decisions a lot easier because we weren't choosing a hundred windows or providing siding for 3000 square feet."