La Mesa Remodel Almost Complete

August 24, 2019Leave a comment

Our La Mesa remodel project is moving along quickly.

We installed fresh white kitchen cabinets with modern hardware and neutral countertops. Perhaps our favorite element of the kitchen is the backsplash–it adds just the right amount of character while preserving a clean and bright overall feel.

La Mesa Remodel - Light, Bright Kitchen

We’ve drywalled and painted the walls throughout the house with a couple highlight colors.

All three baths are tiled with their vanities installed. They are just awaiting mirrors.

The hardwood has been installed and we’re now awaiting carpet in select portions of the house as well as railing on the stairways and split-level family area.

The mudroom is enough to make any busy family a lot more functional with loads of cabinetry and a folding counter.

One unique feature is the doorway to the lower 2 bedrooms and full bathroom. It offers privacy for family members in that area of the house, or a sound barrier for sleeping children.

Right now, we’re putting up custom railing on the two expansive back decks. The lower deck is an extension of the family room and the upper is an expansion of the kitchen, which means the indoor/outdoor living element is in full effect.

Within the next 2 weeks, we’ll be detailing out the front and back yards.

Interested buyers are encouraged to call with questions. Reach Craig at 619.871.4684.

4 Bed/2.5 Bath La Mesa Remodel, Available for Purchase this Summer

April 17, 2019Leave a comment

La Mesa has always been a desirable neighborhood, but it seems to be getting more attention lately. Its downtown revitalization, complete with new restaurants, charming boutiques and walkable streets, combined with an established community of single-family homes and great school districts makes for the perfect place to raise a family.

For these reasons and so many more, we’re so excited to be remodeling a 1951 ranch style La Mesa home that will be available for purchase this summer.

The remodel is well under way, but here are some notable upgrades:

original floorplan was 1300 sq. ft., we’ve added 920 sq. ft. of living space for a spacious 2,300 sq. ft.
4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, though one lower level bedroom, which features a fireplace, could easily be turned into a playroom, den or additional room for entertaining
single story is now split level with a master ensuite upstairs
master suite has a balcony with views
all new electrical service, 200 Amp
open layout with a grand entry level
all new dual-glazed windows and doors
complete new siding
new roof
top quality insulation, including throughout the subfloor
2 French doors on the main level

All work was done under permit with the City of La Mesa.

The home also features:

1/4-acre lot with a large backyard
new decks
natural water creek running through the backyard

This home is situated in the City of La Mesa, approx. 1.5 miles from downtown in the Lemon Avenue Elementary and Grossmont High School Districts. The street is a horseshoe off the main road and therefore gets little non-residential traffic.

Tentative available date: early June.

If you have questions or know someone who is interested in this home, feel free to call or email us.

PROGRESS PHOTOS FROM MARCH:

PHOTOS FROM EARLIER IN THE PROCESS:

Rethinking Useful Spaces

November 20, 2017November 21, 2017Leave a comment

Almost everyone has a space in their home that could be so much more. This was exactly the case at the Pfohl residence. Before we began, their living room was just a closed off space in the back of the house. It had low ceilings, not enough natural light and a sliding door that led to the patio. It wasn’t an inviting space.

So, we re-thought the whole thing.

First, we vaulted the ceilings. Then, we removed the vinyl slider and replaced it with a modern garage door with clear windows so they could close off the new living space, but it also wouldn’t feel like a solid wall when it was closed. We added more windows on the opposing wall, and then we installed parallam collar ties (super trendy!) for structural integrity, but also to bring some character into the space. And finished with insulation and drywall.

Now, it’s a blank palette and a truly functional living space.

No matter how they choose to paint and furnish the space, they are bound to be more comfortable and satisfied with their new indoor-outdoor living room.

Restoring and Remodeling in Mission Hills

November 20, 2017November 21, 20171 Comment

Some of our favorite projects over the years have included the element of restoration. And when it comes to Mission Hills, there are a lot of properties that have beautiful features or materials that simply need to be restored. They need some TLC and purpose in a new design.

We recently completed a restoration and remodel in Mission Hills (on a house that was 100 years old!) that successfully blended new with repurposed old for a one-of-a-kind retreat for a busy young professional.

Here are some of our favorite features, starting with the “La Cantina” doors that open up the entire wall…

She-Shed Reveal

November 20, 2017Leave a comment

The La Mesa She-Shed is complete and the owner is happily enjoying the space. It’s functional, creative and inspired, and most importantly has offered her a place to go to get work done and be separate from her family without a commute.

We hope you enjoy the finished photos.

She-Shed Siding & Temperature Control

June 6, 2017Leave a comment

The La Mesa She-Shed is moving right along.

We’ve finished the siding and have moved inside to take care of the details that will make this office a comfortable space to work year-round: installing a wall A/C unit and insulation. Considering there are 4-5 hot months and 2-3 chilly ones, it’s absolutely necessary to invest in these features.

Up next: the San Diego luxury She-Shed will get drywall and texture. Stay tuned.

La Mesa She-Shed, Progress Pics

May 26, 2017May 26, 2017Leave a comment

Our client in La Mesa just had a baby and no longer has room in her house for her home office. However she has room to spare off the end of her usable backyard space which slopes down into a canyon, so we decided to build a she-shed there. This really is the optimal situation because she can work undisturbed, even when the kids are home. Her commute will be 10 strides out the back door.

Check out the progress pics and let us know what you think. We’re just a couple weeks from completion, so we’ll post the final photos soon.

Thinking about adding a She-Shed to your home? Give us a call. We’d love to talk about your vision.

Bathroom Reveal: Inspired by the Spa

February 19, 2017November 20, 2017Leave a comment

This bathroom started out as a poor excuse for a master bathroom. It was small and ill-configured to the point that only one person could be in it at a time. We pushed the wall out 15″ into the front yard, added a pocket door to save space, and reconfigured the entire room.

Creating a bathroom that makes you feel like you’re at a day spa is as easy as paying attention to the little things. Here are some little things that make a big difference:

Pocket door with opaque glass panels. With a small bedroom and a small bathroom, swing space for a standard door was hard to come by. So, we installed a pocket door with flair. The opaque panels ensure privacy, but elevate the look of the entire space.
The color palette. This couple really wanted a clean and simple color palette, but the bathroom isn’t boring because we used a lot of rich texture from the shower surround to the tiles on the floor.
Custom glass doors with minimalist attachments. Curtains and sliders each pose their own challenges, but most of all they’re a design challenge. Installing custom glass doors with minimalist hinges and attachments does 2 things: keeps the design clean, and actually stays clean. Because there are no tracks or seals for moisture to get trapped in, this bathroom is sure to remain low-maintenance.
Speaker fan. You need to have a fan no matter what, may as well make it sing. The fan selected for this bathroom has a bluetooth signal so you can wind down to classical tunes or get jazzed up for a night out.
Backlit mirror. For a little more than a standard mirror, you can upgrade to one with backlighting, much like you see in department store dressing rooms or nice hotels.
Custom sandblasted window framing. While we could have framed the window just like the door or any other window in their house, we chose to make it a feature. This custom sandblasted Douglas fir adds an element of rustic refinement. Complemented with feminine decor and you have a winning combo.

Laying Down Laminate? Don’t Go Cheap on your Underlayment!

May 31, 2014November 20, 2017Leave a comment

Laminate flooring has come a long way. Affordable styles at your local big box store can offer a 50 year guarantee on residential use. That’s a great guarantee. And, there are many more options on style than there used to be, so more people are considering this as their flooring option.

If you decide to go with laminate in your home, there’s one thing you need to remember: don’t go cheap on your underlayment! The underlayment is a mat that goes beneath the laminate and because it isn’t something you can see, it’s easy to be tempted by the cheapest roll on the rack. Don’t be deceived. The underlayment, if you select the right one, provides multiple benefits to you including:

Moisture control/barrier – you don’t want moisture working it’s way up through the slab and into your laminate. It can reduce the lifespan and leave you with blemishes that aren’t easily fixed.
Sound dampening – laminate has a tendency to give off a louder echo when you walk across it than softer materials like wood. It also doesn’t do much for absorbing natural sounds of the home. Your underlayment can mitigate both issues.
Structural integrity – a durable and resilient underlayment ensures a durable and resilient tongue and groove system.

Bathroom Remodel Quick Tip: Tile Size & Orientation

September 15, 2013September 15, 2013Leave a comment

There are a couple small things that make a big difference when selecting your floor tile and determining the orientation.

The size of your tiles should be proportionate to the size of your bathroom. Most big box home improvement stores have a good variety of stock tile to choose from. But, they also limit the size options. This becomes problematic when they only offer 18″-24″ tiles and you have a small to medium-sized bathroom. Large tiles in a small bathroom won’t work because you don’t have enough room to create a discernible pattern. It’s really unappealing and can make the bathroom feel even smaller. If you can’t find 12″ or 8″ tiles at your usual home improvement store, try a specialty store that can order almost any tile you want in any size. The exception: if you have a large bathroom and plenty of room to show off 18″ tiles, go for it. Large tiles in a large bathroom can make a grand impression.
Large tiles in a small bathroom can make the room feel even smaller
Choose an orientation that gives the bathroom more character. Laying your floor tiles in a checkerboard orientation square to the walls is certainly the easy route because it requires relatively little detail work, but this shortcut will leave your bathroom looking plain. Want proof? Look at any public restroom and you’ll see the tile pattern that requires the least amount of handiwork. Two better options that create a more visually appealing aesthetic: turn the tiles exactly 45 degrees so they are diagonal, or offset the tiles in a brick pattern. This last tip is especially important for rectangular tiles.
Tiles square to the walls