When Slager and Koller bumped out the kitchen two years ago, altering the house's exterior, the original homesteaders stopped coming. It's in its next stage. But at the rate things are going, probably not its last. He eliminated a room, creating a direct view of the lushly landscaped pool area, and tied it together using the same flagstone on interior and exterior floors. However, for complex jobs like creating a new master bedroom suite, it's wise to employ someone trained in design.
Architects can, at times, give clients a false impression of what they can get for their money.
If you can't justify an architect's expense, consider hiring one as a consultant.