Project Description
Having lived in a historic Craftsman home for many years, the clients, a young, professional couple with 3 small children, were anxious to find a house that would better suit their indoor / outdoor lifestyle as well as their growing family. They were looking for a “fixer” to make their own with a main goal of having a home that was comfortable, casual and could accommodate the crowds that come with entertaining family, friends and business colleagues.
Early in their search, a waterfront property in Huntington Harbour jumped out at them as a blank canvas, or at least it would be once they got their hands on it. Located in the northwest corner of Huntington Beach bordering Seal Beach and Sunset Beach, Huntington Harbour encompasses five man-made islands bounded by a network of navigable channels and the land surrounding them. It’s waterways are lined with beautiful homes, private docks and all types of watercraft. With the Pacific to the West and the 1,200 acre Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve to the South, the area is ideal for the family’s active lifestyle.
The project site and residence were in original 1973 condition and in desperate need of a top-to-bottom, street-to-beach renovation. Tasked with creating a living environment to meet the family’s needs, the design team began looking at ways to remove walls or portions of walls to take advantage of the magnificent beach, water and mountain views.
Interior walls were removed on the 1st floor and the kitchen reoriented to create a large open plan living / dining / entertaining space. Portions of exterior walls on both floors were removed and replaced with moveable glass walls, providing seamless indoor / outdoor transitions to the 1st floor exterior patio as well as the new 2nd floor master bedroom balcony. The addition of a salt water pool & spa was the final piece of the puzzle, providing a visual anchor from almost every room.
Systems integration and storage were also key elements in the design. The clients wanted the capability to remotely control various systems throughout the house via an app if they were away. For a family of five, storage is always a big concern and with young kids, the clients stressed the need to keep an open plan but provide sufficient storage areas and cubbies so things could be “put away” at a moment’s notice for those impromptu gatherings.
The two year planning and construction effort culminated in a home that exceeded the client’s expectations and met their goal of creating a “house for living”. Whether inside or out, the reimagined 1973 developer spec house became a place for parents, grandparents, kids, friends, neighbors, food, drinks, toys, tools, bikes, trikes, boards and cars……everyone and everything welcomed and enjoyed!