The couple that purchased this home did so with the intention of a complete makeover before moving in. Their wish list was extensive.
He is wheelchair assisted and had no access to the rear deck. The access points were a rear door too narrow for a wheelchair or stairs landing the side of a steep hill. He had also never seen the bathrooms from the inside as the doors were too narrow. At the same time, he is quite capable and independent.
For their lifestyle:
A deck that runs the entire length of the rear face of the house which looks out over the cliff. A covered and screened portion of the deck for any weather off the kitchen. This essentially serves as the back yard.
The den just off the deck becomes the living area adding views opening to the deck.
The kitchen is re-designed and remodeled and stays open to the den.
The wall between dining and kitchen is opened up.
The front living area encloses and becomes an office for her.
The master and guest bedrooms remain but the third bedroom is parceled out to various spaces.The sides of the house
The master bath and closet are re-dimensioned as well as the hallway bath.
A straight, wide central hallway is created that connects all spaces.
ADA friendliness and independence:
Bear in mind that the house is mostly but not 100% ADA compliant. The attic still uses a fold down ladder, the small basement requires exterior stairs and there are still upper cabinets in the kitchen.
The sides of the house have enough space and only enough space for walkways before they encroach upon the utility easements. A level elevated walkway was created around one side of the house to tie in the front with the rear deck. A partial elevated level walkway was created on the other side
to access utility meters and the side garage door.
The rebuilt full deck is level with the back door. All home entrances are level as well. The step up in the garage to floor level has been ramped and the light switches and breaker box have been lowered.
All doors are 36" in width.
Turn around is possible in all spaces including bathrooms, kitchen, hallways. walk in closets and laundry.
All sinks are under counter top and commonly-used appliances slide out of the kitchen island.
Wall to wall carpet is replaced throughout with hardwood flooring for ease in rolling. etc.
Rainwater run off control:
The basement was always damp and sometimes flooded. The cause was within the original floor plan used which was apparently for a flat lot and not a steep hillside. On either side of the plan are wall insets. Water flowing off the roof and down the hill became trapped at these insets and eroded the wall allowing water into the basement. On the dining area side, the inset was eliminated and the added space used for the dining area. On the garage side, a gutter system collects the water that would normally run off into the inset and channeled it to the rear, away from the foundation to collection ponds at the base of the deck.
Style preferences:
Eliminate interior angled walls.
Eliminate arches which include all exterior windows and front entrance, one interior doorway and the kitchen island partition.
Front View Before
Rear View Before
Floor Plan Before
Floor Plan After