Expanding the Potential of Carmel Custom Homes
written by Lisa Watson
Although the San Francisco Bay Area couple, Tim and Catherine Ramos, weren't entirely sure what they wanted in a vacation home in the legendary community of Carmel-by-the-Sea, they did know how they wanted to live in it.
When their Realtor introduced the couple to the cottage identified as “Pico” on the garden gate, they imagined it was too small to suit their needs. Yet they were instantly enamored of the verdant setting and seascape views accessible from every part of the property—except the house.
John Lewis, of Lewis Builders Design/Build firm, sensed something more.
When he looks at a property, Lewis sees beyond what is present to envision its potential. As he listened to his clients voice their interests and objections, he turned over the real estate flyer and began sketching a contemporary Carmel custom home with the floor plan of a luxury beach bungalow, without sacrificing the aesthetic of the 1960s cottage.
The Ramoses purchased the property.
“The entrance to the home is one of its most important visual and structural elements,” said Lewis Builders Director of Interior Design, Cari Hill. “We replaced a set of patio doors with a double window in complement to another pair of windows across the front. We installed a Dutch door at the entrance, with a windowpane grid to let in light, preserving a key architectural element appearing throughout the neighborhood, while maintaining the character of this house.”
Inside, the Lewis Builders team made a 1,600 sq ft house feel more like 2200 square feet of usable space, without actually increasing the square footage. They could have updated the kitchen where it was, yet to open up the space and suit the family-friendly lifestyle of the owners, they created a contemporary open-concept kitchen in the main living area. They replaced French doors with a retractable glass wall, extending the living space of the home out onto the deck, which they expanded by 4.5 ft, increasing the vantage on the seascape, framed by trimmed trees.
“When a residential construction project goes poorly,” said Tim Ramos, “you live with it every day, as the defects keep the memory ever present. We have just the opposite as we enjoy every feature of our home.”
