The two primary goals of this remodel were to open the dealership's exposure to Fremont Blvd., a main street in Sand City, and to add space to the buildings to make it a "stand alone" dealership.  The first goal was accomplished by removing the concrete "barrier" wall along Fremont Blvd. 

     After the project's completion, the response of those who attended the grand opening was an enthusiastic WOW because of the significant improvements and additions made in the floor plan. Taking from the lumber company's inventory of catalogued products, the intent of the design was to create as many product vignettes as the space would allow.  One of the most exciting parts was designing never before seen composite crown profiles.  The result is that it has been one of the best success stories for the J.E. Higgins Lumber Company.

     Nations Rent wanted to incorporate as much of their corporate image as possible because it was a hub for the Monterey/Salinas area. To accentuate a storefront office element, false glazing was designed below the awning and along the street facade; to capture the Nations Rent design, black plaster bands were applied to the surface of the walls; to secure their equipment, standard Nations Rent wrought iron fence was incorporated into the landscape/pilasters; and finally, to signal the arrival of Nations Rent to Monterey, their nationally recognized diamond-shape sign was placed in full view of passing traffic.  Although Nations Rent has recently moved from this location, the building still displays the essence of the Nations Rent signature.

     Our design team took over this project from a previous architect and continued to work closely with the owners to achieve success in providing the comfort, style and function they wanted.  The result was a true "architectural make-over."  The addition of tower elements provided the basis for the home's new identity.  Careful examination of each room's potential opened the way to create elegance and sophistication both inside and out.  Existing oak trees, including a magnificent character tree inside the courtyard, provided the inspiration for the colors of the building materials.

      This project was the most dramatic "rags to riches" transformation of an office space by any standard. This space did not lose any of its impact to customers even after new tenants called the space their own - a testament to the "timeless" quality inherent in good design.  The photo on the left shows the space as it was at project completion - the two photos on the right show the space as it is today.

     Like many architectural makeovers of this type, the owners wished to transform this humble 3 bedroom house into a weekend getaway with a beach cottage feel. The initial step was removing the barriers that kept this home from blossoming into a beautiful, cozy retreat.  This involved demolishing a fireplace and interior walls to open the spaces for better flow; moving or adding windows to capture better light; vaulting the ceiling in the dining/living rooms to create a more soothing ambiance; refinishing the original hardwood floors, and without removing any of the quaint character of the home, the doors & hardware were reused when possible. With the help of a professional, in-house interior designer, the final touches of carefully selected colors and finishes added to the enhanced details and celebrated the craftsmanship of a 1950's Carmel residence.