a blog about interior design in the bay area
Our latest Before and After takes you behind the scenes of a Los Altos remodel. The family had recently relocated from New York City and wanted to inject some urban sensibilities into their new mediterranean-styled home. We helped them achieve a clean, sophisticated design that complemented the existing architectural surroundings.
With new lighting and window treatments, we brought the kitchen nook from dated to chic.
You can see more images from this remodel in our portfolio.
A custom home built 10 years ago, and still very nice by today’s standards, received a little “nip & tuck” last year. The homeowners always felt the original builder had missed the mark in developing what was supposed to be a home inspired by the French countryside. Instead, they felt what they got was a custom California Ranch. When I approached the project, my objective was to recapture the feeling of vintage chateau.
Lovely custom ranch seeking personality
The home's makeover features stone, copper gutters, carriage house garage doors, hand lathed plaster, and new light fixtures
We eliminated the hunter green trim and stucco and painted the gutters the same as the new plaster color to “lift” the building height. The hand lathed plaster offered the authenticity of a old world appearance. We removed all the original pre-molded trim and provided visual interest through stone veneer and stone trim above the windows and garage doors. Recessed cans in the eaves were removed and beautiful metal lanterns were installed. Copper gutters were selectively placed about the front door for impact. Lastly, the painted garage doors were replaced with carriage house doors and the front door was re-painted to match.
Original Front Entry lacked Luster
Stone, hanging lantern, and fresh coat of paint provide a welcoming entrance
The difference is definitely in the details!
This 1950s ranch was bought in 2003 during the real estate boom, when property was so hot you bought “as is” without really looking at a home. Immediately upon moving in, it became clear the house was rat-infested, the appliances were old and in disrepair, and the only running water came from a burgundy bathtub in the one and only bathroom. After a few nights at the new home, the family pursued a hasty remodel – this is when the “befores” were taken.
In 2010, five years after the first move-in, the “dream home” was finally complete!
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
The Kitchen
Before:
After:
The kitchen gained cubic footage, as well as square footage, by raising the ceiling with white tongue and groove panels. Skylights and windows were added to allow natural light to fill and flood the formerly dark, cavernous space. Bold light fixtures were added in unexpected places to create visual interest.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
The Living Room
Before:
After:
Paint colors were kept uniform throughout the home to keep the “flow” of the home consistent. Again, the ceiling was raised and now highlights a silk, Fortuny chandelier. The brick fireplace was refaced with concrete and framed with a wood surround. The mirror adds visual space to the room and reflects the colorful landscape paintings. The square footage of the room remains unchanged from before, but the room gained a fresh, new appearance and is now a perfect place for the family to spend a nice evening in.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
The Bathroom
Before:
After:
A master bathroom was added on. Calcutta marble was used throughout on the floors, walls and in the shower surround. Mirrored cabinets provide storage in the absence of vanity cabinets, and the pedestal sinks make the room feel more spaceous. What better or more perfect way to end a hectic, and stressful day than a long, soak in this gorgeous tub?