12 / matters magazine / hearth & home 2019 Marisa says, “When we first start a project, we hear, ‘Oh, no, who are these guys?’ But by the end they’re al- ways extremely happy because they see how pretty the house turns out and how nice the yard is and how much value it adds to each home in the neighborhood.” The Friedmanns also point out that their work brings rev- enue to the town in the form of permit fees, property taxes and more. When the couple started the Hoff- man Street renovation they made sure to preserve its beautiful charm and special characteristics. But it wasn’t un- til they cleaned out the house – seven dumpsters worth – that they realized the house’s full potential. Cutting back the vegetation revealed a sizable yard where they rehabbed a patio. They also brightened up the house color from red to a fresh white and created a wel- coming front porch. Indoors, the Friedmanns replaced all of the windows (choosing black frames to add a modern feel to each room), painted every wall and restored The dining room is a calming, light-filled room. The Friedmanns updated the kitchen with modern cabinets, appliances and fixtures.