A family of raccoons and a few pigeons were the only residents of the northwest Lawrence home purchased at auction by Kathie and Patrick Nichols. Equipped with a keen vision of the potential, a sharp budget pencil and the help of a trusted contractor, the Nicholses recently completed a stunning renovation of the abandoned 1960s house into a beautiful and functional space.

“It’s all about working with a builder you trust. The right builder is also a scorekeeper,” says Patrick Nichols, who credits the couple’s working relationship with contractor Brandon Dahl with the successful completion of the project in less than six months.

The couple relied on Dahl and a team of professionals to evaluate and assess renovation of the property before bidding on it. During the transformation, they worked closely with the builder to keep costs under control, taking a hands-on approach to many of the projects themselves. Kathie Nichols and their daughter, Ami Hyten, laid bamboo flooring upstairs. Patrick Nichols, an accomplished musician, designed the layout of acoustics and efficient storage of audio components in the media room.

Interior walls were removed and the ceiling vaulted with skylights in the main living area to provide an open floor plan flooded in natural light. A former greenhouse was converted into a spacious main level master suite with access to a four-season garden patio.

Green considerations were part of the plan, including recycled insulation, a high-efficiency furnace, an attic fan, bamboo flooring and the repurposing of kitchen cabinetry.