Secondstorycarpentry.com

06/18/2026

The first part of this project was building a new garage where there had only been a small shed.
It was a tricky site from the start with about six feet of elevation change from one corner to the other, so getting the foundation right took some planning. The placement mattered too, because the homeowners wanted the solar panels on the roof facing due south to capture as much sun as possible.
One of my favorite parts of this garage is how well it fits the original home. The roofline, windows, and overall shape feel intentional, not like something that was added on later.
That’s the mark of good design and good ex*****on: when the finished project looks like it always should have been there.
Credit to Jill Souza for designing an addition that feels connected to the home. We loved bringing this one to life.
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06/17/2026

06/16/2026

Some of my favorite parts of a remodel are the details most people will never realize were complicated.
In this project, everyone notices the kitchen - and for good reason. But this archway is one of my favorite parts of the whole job.
We opened up a wall that used to block the view down the stairs and into the kitchen. Then we ran into a tricky air return issue hiding inside the wall. So we worked with the architect and homeowners to find a clean solution: keep the ductwork functional, tuck it into the wall, and make the whole thing disappear.
Now when you come down the stairs, the space feels open, connected, and intentional - all the way through to the kitchen and coffee bar.
That’s the kind of remodel detail I love most: the work you don’t necessarily notice, but you absolutely feel.
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06/11/2026

We’re underway on a 500+ sq. ft. addition for this mid-century home in North Tacoma.
Right now we’re in the framing stage - walls are going up, trusses are coming soon, and the shape of the new space is starting to take form.
Additions like this are about more than square footage. They’re about making a home work better for the people who live there, while making sure the new structure feels like it belongs.
If you’re planning an addition, remodel, or whole-home transformation in the Tacoma area, we’d love to talk.
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06/09/2026

Here, we take a closer look at some standout details of this custom garage - including the high-lift garage door that enhances the vaulted ceiling and makes room for the loft stairs. With the glass doors and southern exposure, we still get a lot of light, even when the door is closed.

Every element of this space was thoughtfully designed to maximize both function and style, making it as impressive as the rest of the home.

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06/05/2026

We’re starting a full basement conversion in South Tacoma, and in this particular case, we needed to create a full water management system to protect the homeowner’s investment.

Before the bedrooms, bathroom, flooring, and finishes go in, we have to get the foundation right — waterproofing the basement, installing an internal French drain system, adding egress windows, adding footings and posts to support parts of the house that were failing, and coordinating plumbing groundwork while the slab is open. SO much goes into preparation, especially in basement conversions in older homes. It’s not the glamorous part of the remodel, but it’s one of the most important. It’s much cheaper and easier to cut corners and go straight to the framing and finish work, but what good is it if the whole thing leaks and develops mold problems later on?

When this is done, this home will gain roughly 800 square feet of livable space, including two new bedrooms, a living area, and a full bathroom — adding real function, flexibility, and long-term value to the house.

Excited to bring this one to life.

06/03/2026

When you're in the middle of a complex remodel, collaborative thinking and creativity are essential for tackling unexpected challenges — and electrical work is no exception.
Finding the right solution for electrical outlet placement can make a huge difference in both functionality and aesthetics.
What do you think about this approach for the electrical outlets in this kitchen? We'd love to hear your ideas and feedback. Let us know in the comments!

05/29/2026

We’re over on South 10th in Tacoma, wrapping up the exterior side of this remodel.
The homeowners had already updated the other three sides of the house, but this side needed a bigger transformation — new siding, new windows, an added attic window, and a relocated door to better fit the new kitchen layout.
We also cleaned up a lot of the utilities that used to live on this side of the house. The electrical panel has been moved inside, and we’re in the process of rewiring the whole home and removing the old knob-and-tube wiring.
A lot of remodel work is about making the visible parts look right — but it’s also about improving what’s behind the walls so the home is safer, cleaner, and ready for the next chapter.
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