The work on this casually-elegant Los Altos Hills home was completed in multiple phases. More than 40 single-pane, steel windows were replaced with the highest thermodynamic-rated windows available. Vinyl-clad on the outside, wood-veneered on the inside, they are both energy efficient and beautiful. Doors throughout the home were replaced with custom-stained Douglas Fir interior doors or Andersen patio doors. The original plaster texture was replicated around each window and door. A family room bump-out created space for an entertainment center and a wood burning fireplace. Next, a convenient guest bath was added near the entry and the hall bath was remodeled with tumbled travertine tile floors and shower surround, a glass block exterior wall, and a breathtaking, floating glass sink. A library alcove with a triple-arched plaster bookcase was created off the living room and recessed lighting was installed throughout the main living areas. A 600 square foot addition, incorporating a home office and a fitness room/spa completed the master bedroom suite. Most recently, the kitchen was remodeled with granite countertops, a slate tile backsplash, and stainless appliances.

This classic ranch style home was remodeled in two phases to match the owners' contemporary sense of style. The entry, living room, kitchen, family room, bathrooms, and laundry room were updated with slate and hardwood floors, cherry cabinetry, granite countertops and stainless steel railings. The entire house received new doors, windows and moldings. In phase two, an addition created a more spacious dining area and exterior was updated with new stucco siding, architectural woodwork and trim.

The goals for this whole house remodel were to provide a more comfortable and functional home for an active (4-boy) family. Cubby-holed spaces, poor lighting design, and dark finishes made the home feel cramped and unwelcoming despite its generous 6-Bedroom, 4-Bath size. And, because the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) was maximized, the design challenge was to reconfigure the existing space, rather than add square footage. To accomplish this, the first floor entry, kitchen, and family room were reconfigured into more expansive and visually open spaces. Honed Travertine stone pavers in a Pavio Antigua pattern were installed in the entry, laundry room, and bath. Elegant, Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors were installed in the remaining first floor rooms and second floor hallways. The existing wrought iron stair rail was faux-finished in antique bronze and topped with a bronze stair rail cap. Mouth-blown glass fixtures and a patterned carpet runner completed the entry. The new layout in the kitchen and family room area dramatically improved the ease of meal preparation, family activities, and entertaining. This convenience was enhanced with custom-made cherry cabinets, stainless steel appliances, Vyera granite countertops, and a tumbled slate and glass backsplash.

The master suite was reconfigured with two walk-in closets, a jetted spa tub and an elegant walk-in shower. Dramatic Opera Fantastico marble tops the creamy painted vanity and is offset by the Botticino marble shower and floors. His-and-hers work areas, a large storage closet and double French doors completed the office. All other bathrooms were updated with new cabinetry, marble or granite countertops, and stone or tile floors. The children’s bedrooms received new closet doors, moldings and plush carpet. In addition, new arch-topped doors, dual pane windows, lighting, audio, security and Internet connections were installed throughout the entire home. Using a Mediterranean theme for inspiration, the house was finished with warm paint colors and rich fabric textures.

This serene, green, automated and "Not-So-Big" 1,100 sq ft home is the remodel of a two-story mountain cabin, originally a 1930s drinking cabin suitable for summer shelter into a modern, highly-efficient and functional home. Our goals were to bring the structure to current standards structurally and maximize energy efficiency, functionality and aesthetics. We were to retain the home's footprint, unless to increase it significantly benefits the flow and function.

The homeowners had previously installed a huge greenhouse window and wanted the open feeling it created extended to the whole space. This was accomplished with the addition of the clerestory that runs the length of the home. In addition to bringing light into the whole space and providing ventilation, the clerestory adds architectural integrity, lacking in the original structure and makes every room feel more spacious. In addition to the clerestory, a 63 sq ft foyer bump-out- the only addition to the home's footprint- and re-configuring interior walls, transformed the flow and function of the entire home.

Energy efficient construction techniques and materials were employed throughout the house including fiber cement siding,a steel, standing-seam "Cool Roof", radiant barrier underlayment, foam insulation, windows, doors, lighting, appliances, HVAC, fixtures and finishes. An innovative, automated, window control system was conceived to create an air flow "chimney" from the first floor through the clerestory— a whole-house air exchange leveraging prevailing canyon air currents.

The client told us that we solved problems and removed obstacles they hadn't fully recognized they had. Ex: plans left the kitchen in original 5' x 7' configuration. We suggested that a few interior walls be moved, extending both the kitchen and bedroom into the living area— about 3'(originally consumed by kitchen cabinets living in the main room) This created an 8' x 7' galley kitchen, completely transforming the experience of that space. A similar solution was suggested for the placement of the HVAC return duct behind a bathroom cabinet, in a space that would have otherwise have been wasted.

Craftsmanship is something the homeowners valued: “We appreciate the rear stairs, bathroom tile, stone shower and floors, removal of library door (absence of extraneous features is a positive feature) matching of superstructure to existing foundation (non-square issues); beautiful stained wood window/door frames and molding—all mitered, all perfectly-matched. The overall solidity of construction- there's nothing "fake" in the house— it's all rock-solid and exactly what it appears to be— something we're still discovering and appreciating every day."

The term Not-So-Big is a trademark of Sarah Susanska. For more information see her website www.notsobig.com

Built in 1963, this two-story home was outdated and archtitecturally unappealing. The second story did not extend the length of the house- leaving a flat-roofed garage. The exterior also lacked architectural detail. Our goals for this design+build project were to
1. Improve the architectural integrity and appearance of the home
2. Enhance the functionality of each room and the flow between them
3. Create a large chef's kitchen with a floorplan designed for entertaining
4. Add a master suite with a spa-like ambiance
5. Remodel daughter's bedroom and bath with a Hollywood Glam theme
7. Use high-end materials but assure that the house is very comfortable--not formal or fussy

The original structure was "lopsided" with a second story built only on one side. The garage was single story and flat-roofed. An addition of approximately 700 sq ft was added to the second story to create a master bedroom and bath suite, and to bump-out of a small bedroom to create a professional home office.

On the front exterior, the home's flat façade and shed roof did nothing to enhance the home's appearance. A gabled timber-framed entry porch with stone columns and additional roof and window gables provide the symmetry and architectural interest that was missing.

The daughter's bedroom borrowed space from neighboring rooms and was re-configured to include a private bath and walk-in closet. Former bedrooms were re-purposed as a laundry/sewing room, professional office and guest room- creating a place for everything.

On the first floor, small bump-outs were added to the dining and family rooms to create a more open floor plan. The existing family room was on a different level and cut off from the kitchen. Now the rooms are on the same level and flow smoothly into each other. The gourmet kitchen with large island, walk-in pantry, and professional appliances is perfect for entertaining. A bulk storage pantry and half-bath were configured where the former laundry room existed. The flow is functional and relaxed. The finished home is just under 4,000 sq ft.

The family's love of nature dictated the choice of a natural color palette and organic textures used throughout the home.