RUSTIC ITALIAN KITCHEN

This project was a huge transformation. We started off by removing two large, interior walls that were weight-bearing. In order to be able to support the weight of the ceiling, we installed temporary interior walls to complete the demo and to engineer a 30 foot LVL beam. We removed an 8 foot kitchen window and replaced it with a smaller, more functional window. This allowed for more cabinets in the design.

We added new plumbing and new electrical service, a new fireplace and custom, handmade cherry wood cabinets. We installed Brazilian granite with a cultured stone backsplash, and a 16 x 16 Travertine tile to give it the Rustic, Italian feeling that the client's were looking to get! A lot of time and effort went into planning the kitchen. We designed the living area to have the perfect amount of symmetry and balance.

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KNOTTY PINE

bathroom

In this vintage-era home, the client's request was not to remove the knotty pine on the bathroom walls and ceilings. Their request was to rejuvenate the knotty pine by refinishing it. We removed the old 5 foot tub and installed a new 8 foot walk-in shower.  We installed new plumbing with a Hansgrohe Shower System. We installed a new 12x24 shower wall tile and new 5 x 35 tile-plank flooring. New countertop, plumbing fixtures and bathroom accessories were added.

 

OUTDOOR KITCHEN

 

The clients wanted a space to entertain. The space for the outdoor kitchen was a blank canvas but had so much potential.  The process began with removing 20 yards of dirt and setting concrete footings that would support a 20 x 24 foot Trex Deck.  In the initial design, we planned to add a 1-inch gas line from the main to supply enough BTUs for the fire pit, overhead heaters and BBQ so there would be no need for Propane.

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A grey Trex Deck was installed and a Cedar Pergola kit was built. We built two 8-foot metal stud islands to create a galley kitchen. The islands were wrapped in cultured, stack stone and a natural granite countertop was added. A Kegerator, a small beverage refrigerator, and a bar sink were installed and stainless steel doors and drawers for storage.

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CREEKSIDE

kitchen

 

This 1970s kitchen was outdated and very dysfunctional. At the time of the remodel the client only had one burner and the oven only heated to 200°. The client's request was to update it with a modern touch. We opened up the entry to have a more welcoming feel to the dining and kitchen area. We did the entire kitchen area in a level 4 Smooth Wall.

We installed new white shaker-style cabinets with a 3cm quartz counter and a tile backsplash. We installed brand new stainless steel appliances with a polished nickel finish on the faucet and pot filler. New 5 in. engineered hardwood floor was installed throughout the entry, living room, dining room kitchen and hallway.

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THE FIRST FLOOR REMODEL

phase 1

 

This is the first of two phases. We demoed out the entire first floor which included the entry downstairs bedroom, the living room, family room, and the complete kitchen. We installed two temporary 2 x 4 walls to support the second story of this house while we remodeled. We installed a 6 x 12 x 18 beam which was later stained and finished. We installed a new kitchen design layout which included a peninsula and small island. All new appliances for my client who enjoys to cook for large family gatherings.

During this phase we completed the downstairs bathroom by installing a new floor-to-ceiling walk in shower and a new vanity with marble top. We finished the room with some custom woodworking and installed a shaker style wainscoting to complete the bathroom.

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BUTTE FIREHOUSE

 

The Butte firehouse was a huge challenge within itself. This half-burnt-down duplex property was condemned by the city of Santa Rosa. After involving architects, engineers, and inspectors, we were able to make a case for it and the Condemned title was removed.  After clearing the title, we had architectural plans submitted to the city of Santa Rosa to begin the permit process. After they were approved, we were ready to build! We did a complete demo of the entire interior of the duplex unit. Less damage to the structure than expected was actually found after the removal of the debris. We were able to complete the framing stages, electrical stages, and plumbing stages for this unit to come back to life.

With fire and smoke related damages, we sealed all the exposed wood to remove any lingering odors. New insulation was added, a new HVAC system was installed, and the drywall went in. After paint, a simple kitchen was installed as well as a simple bathroom. New laminate flooring was installed in the common living spaces including the bedrooms. The exterior needed quite a bit of siding replaced from the fire damage, and a new roof for both units of the duplex property was added. A fresh coat of paint sealed the entire house to give it a new look.

 

CORNER FIREPLACE

 

The fireplace that was built when the house was framed, was definitely in a “strange” spot.  This old dated wood burning fireplace was screaming for help. The client’s vision was to remove the old fireplace and brick from the house and install a new gas fireplace. After completing the demo, we installed new matching siding, primed it and painted it to match. We did the same for the roof by installing a new trust cord, plywood and shingles to match. On the inside, we framed out the fireplace at a 45 degree angle so it would actually warm the entire living room and dining area. The insert was installed and vented correctly.  Electrical and plumbing was brought to the unit, and we finished the fireplace with tile that looked like stone. Above the fireplace we added drywall and texture, primer and paint. To finish it off we had a custom mantel made and installed above the fireplace.

 

BAY WINDOWS

 

The idea behind a space that you can not change, is to utilize it. Our clients did not want to change or remove the windows in the kitchen, so we worked with what we had. In this kitchen we kept the same footprint with the sink, range and microwave. To utilize the space more and have a larger pantry, we moved the refrigerator water line and electrical over a few feet. We installed new cabinets and granite counters, we used the window area as bar seating, that way we would not have to close off the kitchen with a peninsula. We installed a 3x6 beveled subway tile for the backsplash. All new stainless steel appliances were installed

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ISLAND

prep area

 

My client’s dream was to have her sink in front of the windows!!! With planning, we made her dream a reality. After a complete demo of the kitchen and non-load bearing wall, we found a huge surprise! Plumbing for the second story of the house was being used in this wall. We relocated all the plumbing and reframed the two exterior walls for new custom size windows for the kitchen layout. New cabinets were installed with a bell range hood. The kitchen is two tone in color and has a spacious island for a cook’s prep station. New quartz countertops were installed and we were also able to match the existing bamboo hardwood floors to fill in the new space and lace in the patches.

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NEW SIDING

 

Our clients, who recently purchased this home, were extremely worried about the siding and the old drafty windows.  After a walkthrough of the house, it was deemed necessary to remove and replace the exterior walls. We removed all the existing wood panels and windows to this house and installed new double pane, high-efficiency windows and T1-11 and trim on the back 3 walls. In the front of the house, we installed a horizontal hardiebacker siding. To complete this project, we painted the complete exterior of the house.

 

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OPEN CONCEPT

 

This 70s home, which had never been updated, was small and dark. The process began with us removing a non-load-bearing wall to form the new kitchen into living room space. By doing this, we created the open concept that the clients desired. Because the house was outdated, we needed to install a new electrical panel which brought the house up to code. A new gas line was brought into the kitchen to replace the old electrical range. New, white shaker style cabinets, a black quartz with a white lighting strike counter top, new tile floors and a fireplace mantle were added to update the kitchen and new living space.

At the same time, we remodeled the bathroom by replacing the fiberglass unit and installing a white subway tile with turquoise accents and a new vanity with a Carrera marbletop.

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SHE SHED

 

The client had always dreamed of having a space to call her own. We started off by grading the empty space so a concrete pad could be added. Afterwards we built a shed, and with a little love it became a shesheer she shed! We added electrical lighting and outlets, level 4 drywall, and a french door.  Shiplap was added to the ceilings, and for the focal point we added a chandelier.

 

CORNER FIREPLACE

 

This 1990s corner fireplace was in need of a makeover. We installed a new modern fireplace, installed new stack stone tiles, and wrapped it with an on-site mantel.

 

HILL-TOP REMODEL

 

This home is very secluded so the remodel took a lot of planning time to get it right! This remodel was on a hillside which made working on site more difficult. This early 1970s home, which has a cabin feel to it, is a multi-level house. Everything was electric and no gas or propane fed the into the old kitchen. During demolition we removed two load-bearing walls to give it an open concept and to allow for the gorgeous view of the Santa Rosa Valley to be seen. Due to the unsafe electrical and overloaded electrical panel, we upgraded the panel to a 200-amp service. We relocated the kitchen plumbing and electrical for the new kitchen design, and added propane for the new cooktop.

The challenging part of this remodel was that the kitchen is on the second floor and there was no attic access to relocate any plumbing or electrical. In order to do this, we had to remove portions of the subfloor. We removed a hallway and turned it into a pantry and closet, which made the kitchen larger as well. Cherry wood cabinets, a 3 cm quartz countertop, new tile floors, and cherry wood trim doors and baseboard were installed.

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A LINEAR SHOWER

This ranch home master bathroom had very limited space. The shower area was approximately 3 ft wide by 7 ft deep. The client requested a long niche under the window. We installed a blue 4 x 12 tile in a subway pattern. On the shower pan floor we installed penny tiles to complete the shower area. Level 4 smooth wall for the bathroom walls, new tile floor, new toilet, and vanity were added to the rest of the space to complete the project.

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LIGHT BOX UPDATE

Tired of the 4 foot fluorescent? This is a less messy way of updating a light box without doing a lot of drywall work. After removing the three 4 ft fluorescent fixtures, we skinned the top of the drywall box with a small thin piece of plywood. We installed recessed lights in the light box and finished it by installing crown and other types of molding. After a nice fresh coat of paint it looks as if it had been there from the beginning.