They purchased the lot in 1987 and built a two-story Country French style house of red Maya brick to serve as home base for themselves and their two children. Now that the kids are grown and with their own families, it was time to make the changes they had been thinking about for some time. They had three objectives with their remodel. Steve loves to cook and the remodeling of the kitchen was central to the plans. Lynda needed an expanded workspace for her thriving interior design business and also a location to show her prospective clients the latest in décor. They also needed a more private bedroom and bath area for visits from children and grandchildren. Each goal presented its challenges, some greater than others. Lynda and Steve hired an architect because the plan called for elements that affected the structural integrity of the house.

Let’s start with the kitchen remodel. Kitchens built twenty years ago were typically designed smaller in size and with lower ceilings than today’s kitchen. Large central islands that function as workspaces, casual eating areas and buffet spaces were seldom parts of the design of kitchens in the 1980s. Also, new professional grade stoves and ovens often require a bit more space to accommodate them in the kitchen designs. The original kitchen ran along the west wall of the rear of the house, overlooking the pool and back patio. Lynda and Steve felt they needed to push out the back wall of the house to accomplish the larger kitchen space. Typically, such an expansion would not pose a problem unless there is a swimming pool close to the house, and in this case, the new exterior wall would be too close to the pool. To meet building codes, the pool would require relocation. The Power’s had added a fourth element to the remodel plan. If you have to demolish the old pool and move it out, then you might as well totally redo the outdoor living area to include landscaping, sitting area and a Jacuzzi. They decided to replace the old pool with a downsized new infinity-edge pool and a new Jacuzzi with a water feature flowing into the Jacuzzi and from the Jacuzzi into the main pool. A new outside sitting area and fireplace adjacent to the kitchen were constructed. New patio furniture finished this area attractively. Then a pergola with seating area, cooking counter and a pizza oven (Steve’s playground) were also added. The back yard is now perfect. The great view has been maintained and the family outdoor living area is truly special. It is going to be hard to lure guests and family back into the house.

With the outdoor living area complete, the remodel of the kitchen resumed with new windows, tub sink, Wolf professional series stove, ovens and microwave. From the Sub-Zero line they chose an under-counter icemaker, plus under-counter beverage chiller and stand-alone refrigerator and freezer appliances. New Alder wood cabinetry with antique glaze and custom hardware was installed throughout the kitchen. A pullout pot rack was included in the cabinetry to keep Steve’s sauce and sauté pans handy. The central island has a soft “L” shape and is topped with a gorgeous piece of chocolate travertine. The refrigerators have wood fronts to match the cabinetry. The ceiling was raised in the process of pushing out the back wall and a barreled brick affect is included over the sink and stove areas. A tile mural along with tumbled travertine was placed as a backsplash to the cooking area. New Minka lighting was placed as the finishing touch to the kitchen. Steve has his kitchen, and armed with the latest appliances, will now be expected to create with even greater fervor than before.

The room adjacent to the kitchen was redecorated and turned into a game room with pool table. Adjacent to the game room is a new bathroom area with access to the pool as well as the inside of the house. Accomplishing this expansion required taking over the space of the original garage. A new and larger garage was constructed, matching the exterior peaked roofline to accommodate a second floor expansion – which will be addressed next.

The garage reconstruction with a second floor allowed Lynda and Steve to create a new guest suite with bedroom, sitting area and bathroom. Now the kids and grandkids can come and have privacy and space. When the original construction was done in 1987 the house had two primary floors. The house was designed with the living and entertaining downstairs and bedroom and bath areas upstairs on the second floor. The French Country style provided for a very high peaked roof and the space that might be considered attic is now to be utilized as Lynda’s office and studio. The pull down attic door and collapsible stairs were removed and the second floor staircase was extended up into the attic. The space was refinished to meet Lynda’s work requirements. It is also a place for the grandkids to play along with the Power’s current at-home family, which includes three small rescue dogs.

Obviously, this was a big remodel project for Lynda and Steve, even larger than they originally thought. At the end of the process, the Powers are at their ideal location in the house of their dreams and with a much more valuable property. I know they will be there for years to come. It would not surprise me if they soon begin planning for their senior years. Can an elevator be in their future? In the present, Lynda and Steve are ready to cook up fun for family and friends.