Projects
9013 Camino Del Sol NE Remodel
Featured in the 2005 Parade of Homes
FOR SALE: $525,000
For more information contact:
Alice Stephens, GRI, Coldwell Banker Legacy
505-266-4922
Many families love their current homes and neighborhoods but wish some elements better matched their today lifestyle. You don’t have to relocate to have the home of your dreams!
This home, originally constructed in 1978, remained trapped in that era with shag carpet, wood paneling, and blue & gold plumbing fixtures. Prioritizing the problems with a realistic approach and modest budget we first analyzed how to allocate needs and resources to move this house in alignment with today's values and lifestyle.
Our primary focus was the kitchen area, the hub of any active family - cramped for even one cook with less square footage than the breakfast area, an inefficient counter top layout and one small window peering into a gloomy, enclosed porch.
Two small bathrooms located back to back in the bedroom wing did not accommodate the vital living spaces located on the west side of the home, and was inadequate for the five bedrooms.
The entrance to the home was foreboding with a long dark corridor ending at diagonally placed double entry doors. Upon crossing the threshold, visitors were confused by an awkward and inefficient triangular entrance which infringed upon the formal dining room. The floor plan was made more undesirable by the absence of a wall to confine the noise of family room activities from the formal living and dining room.
The existing floor plan took limited benefit of Albuquerque’s glorious light, and with only one opening to the back yard, did not facilitate the natural flow of outdoor backyard enjoyment available nearly year around in our fair city.
The surviving landscaping, comprised extensively of black lava rock and concrete pavers with a few hardy and attractive trees, was a distraction to the clean design lines of the home.
Front Exterior
Recently installed landscaping provides dry and wet areas. As the landscape matures, it will provide a natural privacy screen for the small oasis destined to be a natural attraction to the “sunny south” front yard bird and human habitat. The exterior color of the house was blasé, and was painted to better contrast with the plantings.
Entry and Adjacent Library
To eliminate the foreboding and dark approach, the entrance doors were relocated 13 ft forward and flanked with sidelights, yet still retain a covered entry. The benefits were enormous. The magic of light transforms the formerly gloomy first impression. An entrance with distinction and gallery quality space arose. A wall demarcates the entry from the formal living and dining room, and obscures child friendly activity in the family room from the adjacent LR/DR. Since few homes require five BRs, the former bedroom adjacent to the entrance was transformed into a library by simply closing off the hall door and opening a doorway to flank the new doorway into the LR/DR great room. This is a flexible space, and could be used as a music room, study/office/computer, or a game room. Good design promotes flexibility.
The new entry introduces simple, stylish, gleaming brick floors to welcome all with warmth, character, and charm, but is also child and pet friendly, and provides durability, practicality, and low maintenance. The color and texture are interesting and provide a pleasant foil for the magic of color interwoven in the remodel.
Formal Living and Dining Room
Introducing flexibility into remodeled residences increases individual lifestyle choices and enhances appeal to possible new residents. The grand piano placement transforms this former DR space into a music lover’s residence. The long configuration of this space was made more interesting by the dynamic use of color. The long eastern wall repeats the accent wall from the entrance, and is designed to interweave and attract visitors into the adjacent spaces.
Family Room
Neutral frieze carpet toned close to the brick pavers was selected to accommodate floor friendly play and as a soft contrast to the original white stone fireplace. The family furniture pieces find special spots throughout the home reflecting an appreciation for cabinetmaking from a bygone era. Careful choices were reached throughout the remodel. The decision to retain the traditional wood stain originally applied throughout on the doors, baseboards, trim, and bath vanities was tempered by cost constraints and the design decision that the existing wood stain would relate to the beauty apparent in the family furniture.
Kitchen and Dining Area
Open, airy, and infinitely useful, the kitchen is one of the most transformed space in the home. While the quality of the original wood cabinets was first rate, the configuration was not amenable for today’s lifestyle. (Quality products do have value, and the old cabinets were sold for a remodel in a new space. Consistent recycle, reuse, repair, redesign, and reduce are design concepts integrated in all our projects.) The kitchen layout incorporates a daily recycling center, an office area for on-line menus, children’s homework, or e-mailing. The extra wide and deep sink is wrapped in pristine tile which rises to large windows admitting magical light and blue skies. Every thought was given to efficient food preparation, convenient and accessible storage for foods, dishes, appliances, and particularly the coffee pot. A TV is even possible in one of the upper cabinets. Quality cabinets with full extension drawers and whisper closing features make this a dream kitchen.
Laundry / Storage and New Powder Room
Fortunately, this original space was generously sized for the home. The lack of a third bath seriously compromised the function of the house. But creating this needed bath in the laundry is not easily done. Because there are insufficient sewer lines in this area as well as large underground ductwork, and innovative solution was needed. A macerating pump grinds up sewage so that it can be safely discharged into existing vent and drain lines. The water heater is hidden behind a moveable wall.
Bedrooms / Hall Bath
The three bedrooms were not significantly changed other than new carpet and paint.
The shared bath‘s vanity cabinet and toilet was in acceptable shape, but all else had deteriorated beyond repair. The window was restored to its original size to allow for adequate light during the day. Neutral porcelain tile coupled with fresh white tile diamonds wrap the tub surround and vanity top with subtle design & texture but do not limit the space with permanent color commitments. Towels, paint, and accessories of any color are invited. New sinks, tub and polished brass fixtures in tune with the finish present in the remaining home complete the interior design.
Master Bedroom / Bath / Closet
While the master bedroom was large, the bathroom was inadequate for today’s lifestyle, and the closet modest. Expanding the master bath into the former closet afforded this home to feature a luxurious spa setting comprised of fresh white porcelain tiles coupled with elegant contemporary brushed bronze faucets. An oversized shower complements a steeping tub.
Creating a new wall between the bedroom and the bathroom provides a convenient, modern, accessible, generous and handsome master closet/dressing area. The only furniture required is a bed.
Hallway
The brick pavers create an interesting grid of pattern down this long and often frequented stretch made more appealing by the sunlight pouring through the newly installed skylights. The pavers’ easy maintenance and durability promote family friendly living.
Back Exterior
The original rear yard was hot, and covered in rocks. It is understandable that there was only one access to this dismal terrain. The backyard has been redesigned to create space vegetable garden, and landscaping. Outdoor drapery creates rooms of privacy that billow in the wind – ideal for entertaining or a quiet afternoon of reading.
Floor Plan - existing
Floor Plan - new
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