OCTOBER 5
Projects
Open This Space Up
Unlike this home’s original design and construction, the redesign was all about attention to detail, fine craftsmanship, and durability. The work was accomplished in only 4½ months.
- Location
- Belmont Heights, Long Beach
- Duration
- 4½ months
Invited to look at a homeowner’s kitchen, it was evident that any resources spent on remodeling the kitchen would be wasted—the entire house required attention.
Constructed in 1992, the home showed the results of poor construction, an unwelcome design, and marginal materials with little thought or attention to detail. Plumbing and roof leaks, failing cabinetry, along with heavy wall textures, left little that was salvagable. During construction, the house was gutted - leaving only the rough framing and portions of the exterior stucco.
In its place rose an open floor plan with building code updates, a 200-amp electrical service, beefed-up insulation, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning, new smooth drywall, wide-plank French Oak flooring, new bathrooms, a new kitchen, and dual-glazed windows and doors. And all of it was accomplished in just 4½ months.
Closed off from one another, the living room, dining room, kitchen, and family room were small in scale. Eliminating the duplicated space (family & living rooms) allowed an open floor plan design.
The challenge was relocating interior earthquake shear walls. Well worth the time and effort, the shear walls were relocated to exterior locations. The kitchen was moved adjacent to the backyard patio and the living room was moved to the front of the house with the dining room in-between, allowing for a harmonious flow of living spaces.
ABOVE: Vertical-grain matched Oregon Pine by Crystal Cabinets sets the stage. Brazilian Quartzite, a newcomer to the natural stone market, serves as the countertop. Crystallize Quartzite by Dal-Tile offers brilliant coloring, veining, and movement. Symmetry and balance, along with custom appliances panels, are key components of this sophisticated design.
Horizontal grain-match Oregon Pine, Brazilian Quartzite and porcelain tiles set the stage for both second floor bathrooms. Large format porcelain tiles create the feeling of a solid “monolithic-pour” for the bathroom flooring.
Belmont Heights Custom Home - Episode 1
Belmont Heights Custom Home - Episode 2
Belmont Heights Custom Home - Episode 3
Belmont Heights Custom Home - Episode 4
Fine Home Building with October 5
Each month in OCTOBER 5 STORIES, we publish an illuminating article on one of the many facets of designing and building a fine home. Choose from the articles below.
Client Expectations ›
Every project has two clients: the homeowner and the building. Recognizing that both parties possess unspoken expectations of our Design/Build team, you may ask, “When does October 5’s focus shift from one client to the other?“
Which Construction Contract is Right for My Project? ›
While Guaranteed Maximum Price Contracts have always been our go-to method of engagement, there are times when circumstances require a different solution.
The Importance of Balance and Symmetry ›
The proper use of balance and symmetry turns ordinary projects into extraordinary homes. Learn what steps all fine home builders should take to reduce the unbearable noise generated by imperfection.
Subtraction In Action ›
Learn more about the practical, real-world improvements the process of subtraction can lend to your remodel or fine home construction. We’ll look at lighting, textures, and much more.
Cutting Through The Clutter ›
Incorporating subtractive thinking into the design process enables fine home builders to create a home imbued with a sense of calm and purpose from the start.
The Home Building Revolution ›
There’s a healthier process for designing, budgeting, and building your dream home. It’s called Design-Build and it’s revolutionizing how fine home construction and remodels achieve success.