Maureen and Ray O’Bryan were at that in-between age. Some of their kids were leaving the nest, but the O’Bryans weren’t ready to move into a retirement community. If anything, they wanted more space — so they could entertain friends more comfortably and accommodate their children, should they need to return. The couple never liked the looks of their 1950s rambler, but they loved the neighborhood too much to leave it. Expanding the house didn’t seem like an option, as Maureen was concerned that a second-story addition might tower over the neighbors and feel out of scale. Then she met with local architect Jim Rill, who saw Craftsman echoes in the rambler’s massing and roofline, and proposed transforming the house into an Arts and Crafts bungalow with a second story tucked into pop-up dormers. Houzz at a Glance Who lives here: Maureen and Ray O’Bryan, with visits from Colin (age 26), Brendan (24) and Claire (19) Location: Bethesda, Maryland Size: 2,900 square feet; 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms Year built: Mid-1950s; remodeled in 2012

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