Achievements

We made many sketches and ideas before choosing this plan.  We based the design around usable spaces, each room with a unique function and purpose.

Installed chimney basket, installed gutters and downspouts on garage, installed roof exhaust to add vent fan for the main bathroom, designed, graded and scaped the backyard including cutting flower beds, adding soil and making berms, laying sodding and installing plants and decorative rocks.

We gutted the backyard of the rotted deck and non-functional hot tub, broken pavers, weeds and poor soil.  We designed the patio and walkways. Designed, fabricated, installed and finished mid-century modern cedar fence. Designed and installed the gardens.

We used a string on an anchor to spray curved guides. This helped our trades friends install batter boards before pouring the concrete.

The wide pathways allow for easier entry and space around parked vehicles.  We installed sconces on either side of the garage door, scaped and installed a sprinkler system. 

We got help with installing a new insulated garage door, smart jackshaft garage door opener, and shingle roof.

We created spaces in this 44 foot exposed aggregate patio.  A dining area, a sitting area with chiminea, a space to drink coffee and watch the sun rise, and a grill.  Not pictured to the right is a shed added for garden tool storage.  

The two sets of double doors had been old leaky sliding doors and narrower than newer energy efficient doors.  We expanded the openings and installed the new French doors including weather shielding, insulation, caulking and hideaway screens.  We hung patio lights across the eaves.  We took advantage of the extended eaves to install a ten foot projector screen to watch movies with neighbors outdoors on beautiful summer nights.

What must have at one time been a beautiful backyard entrance fell to patchwork and needed much repair.

6' privacy fence with wide gates allow for larger items to be brought through to the backyard.  Gardens greet your entrance.  We replaced and painted the garage man door and resealed the trim.

This 36 foot cedar fence was one of my first larger woodworking projects.  I studied mid-century modern design being used near the redwoods in California.  The grade of wood and finish was selected to persist in the elements.  The construction techniques are borrowed from Canada to prevent ice jacking from occurring between the cold winters and freeze thaw of the spring.  Fence posts were buried four feet deep in only pea gravel and have since sustained no movement over many winters.  

This door failed to keep out the cold. Ice frozen in the tracks made it impossible to shut securely and needed immediate attention. Being an older house, it required either a custom sized door or an expanded opening. While removing the trim we found lots of pink foam sheeting loosely added at some point.  It was not effective until repurposed to protect the new casing awaiting installation.

We chose to widen the opening, cut the brick and rebuild the structure to accept the new door.  It also required tools I didn't already own, fortunately. I eagerly procured the tools and got to work, knowing we would do the same with the doors at the other end of the house come the spring.  We created vapor barriers and used expanding foam in the walls to improve the R-factor.

Back inside the same day.  The late November weather cooperated and the job went smoothly.  We added a programable key pad for easier entry.  

We were prepared for summer so we could swing open the doors wide and use the roll-away screens to invite inside the weather we awaited during the cold of winter.

The elongated hexagonal tile was the inspiration for this bathroom renovation.  This image was taken just after completing the grout work.

Amber designed a niche in the half-wall of the shower. Exactly sized to work with the dimensions of the tile backsplash.

Complete. Clean.

It took a good eye and precision cuts to achieve these results.  Notice the shower hardware is centered and the tile lines flow pleasingly in the upper corners.

Upon purchasing this property, we began almost immediately removing the contents of the basement.  This picture is partway though that cleaning, having removed junk and a wall, and was taken from what was once a bedroom.

Fixed it. This picture was taken before completing all the trim. We installed 240 square feet of tile in this room. Each tile project presented its own challenges. The concrete floor was angled for the drain and needed to retain the grade but also become usable walkway.  We were so excited to have a clean place to do our laundry.

Art space we created to share in the extra large utility and laundry room. We also hosted private art classes here with friends and neighbors.

Every surface of this house needed attention. Tile was chosen to retain space width as the staircase was placed directly on the foundation wall.  The process was slightly complicated by the uneven and out-of-plumb concrete.

Layout for one side of the stairway tile.  I gained an appreciation for learning new things and trying to deliver great results on the first attempt. Do and re-do until I get it right, then came professional results. Fortunately with ample planning this installed beautifully. 

We chose a 3 foot long tile and placed it diagonally along the stair stringer to give the eye something interesting to follow.  We later hired a fabricator to make a single ten foot square tube black steel handrail which we installed on this wall.

Speaking of surprises, we discovered we bought an antique General Motors in-wall oven.  We liked the color but it, along with everything in the kitchen, had to go. We needed to create more space as appliances were piled on top of one another.

At least the sink worked.

Commitment in force.

With our rental in the review mirror and fully moved in to this new home, we prepared to eat lots of take-out.

The kitchen was given the blessing of a demo.  Don't worry about the relic oven. It was moved to a good home. 

When we removed the linoleum floor we found 2 other floors below it.  That made for a heavy removal with lots of fasteners in the way.

Aaaand we have a functional kitchen!  So much storage and updated appliances. The tall cabinets above and drawers below expanded the work area.  We also added under-cabinet lighting and pendants to set moods and function.

A coffee station was part of the plan, placed within urgent reach.

This backsplash was created with beveled subway tiles.

Our dinner table where we enjoyed many meals and games with family and friends.

The breakfast bar added seating and created continuity to the living room.

A freshly refinished floor brought updated style to a once dark space.