Making room
An expectant couple creates space for their little one

by Avital Binshtock / photos by John Beeley

Three odd-shaped rooms became one large kitchen/dining area, with maple cabinets. Note the 'bun feet' at the bottom of the cabinets. A farmhouse sink is deep enough to bathe the new baby.

When Brian and Lisa Zander moved into the Palo Alto house the military built for Brian's grandfather after World War II, they were thrilled to be living near Brian's mother, but thought their home was too boxy.

"It was so 1950s," Lisa says. They felt the house did not make use of space as well as it could have.

So, the couple decided to remodel. To create more space, they transformed three odd-shaped rooms into a large kitchen and dining area. They contracted John Beeley, owner of JB Builders, to design and carry out the project, which involved demolishing two walls.

Lisa, who was pregnant throughout much of the eight-month construction, wanted to finish remodeling before her daughter was born. "We've been living in this mess for such a long time now, but it's so worth it," she says, adding that it was important their child be raised in spacious surroundings.

Though the Zanders initially budgeted $50,000 for remodeling, Lisa said their expenses ended up closer to $70,000. As a recommendation for others who are planning to remodel, she says, "Always plan for an extra $10,000. You're going to use it somehow."

The Zanders wanted to keep their retro stove, which came with the house. They did opt for modern storage, with ample storage space and an office area.

To create the open floor plan the Zanders wanted, Beeley added maple cabinets, incorporating cabinetry designed for organization. Lazy Susans and pullout cabinet drawers are among Lisa's favorite features. He also moved a water heater and replaced ceiling joists.

Because they liked the retro look, the Zanders kept the 1950s stove that came with the house. They chose the white ceramic farmhouse sink for style and size -- it's big enough to bathe the baby.

The desk in the kitchen is black maple, rubbed to appear antique. The owner wanted to be able to watch her child play as she works.

To the Zanders' disgust, though, Beeley found that much of the house's structure, including the ceiling rafters, had termite damage. "Supposedly, this neighborhood sits on a breeding ground for termites," Lisa says. "It's so gross."

But Beeley fixed the damage and the Zanders placed anti-termite disks around their house. They determined that they would need to consult with pest-control experts every few months to prevent further damage.

Beeley also created bright pockets of light, installed honed-granite countertops and built a desk into the wall. "I love the way it works in terms of space compared to what they had before," Beeley says.

Brian tried to pitch in as much work as he could, but since he is a Carmel-based firefighter, he was away much of the time. Right when the Zanders started the major part of their remodel, to which Brian was planning to contribute his labor, the Southern California fires hit and he had to leave for three weeks.

After finishing the structural work, the Zanders refinished the floors and painted the walls. For the kitchen's final touches, they added framed Italian posters and iron accents.

Now that their kitchen is complete, the Zanders can't wait to have their friends and family over for dinner parties and barbecues.

"This is the first time I've done anything of this magnitude," Lisa says. To those undergoing the same process, she adds, "Be patient and open. There are going to be some blips."

Resources:
Designer/contractor: John Beeley, JB Builders, Palo Alto; (650) 323-7786
Countertop: Alpha Granite & Marble, Santa Clara; (408) 855-0950
Major appliances: University Electric, Santa Clara; (408) 496-0500
Sink and faucet: Fixtures and Faucets, San Mateo; (888) 343-7260