Ranch Renovation Diary -- Redefining Interior Space

Welcome to a mid-week update on the Ranchburger Renovation.

Way back in the early 70s, when the ranch was built, it didn't have a foyer. A dedicated entrance space was carved out in the 1990s, and it was remodeled again in the mid-2000s. Last summer, when I looked at the house, I thought the foyer had lots of potential, but I decided to take my time and come up with a solid plan. Months went by. Then, just two weeks ago, I figured out what to do: remove the smallish foyer walls and create a gallery-type entrance, with three French doors.

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The Ranchburger's Dining room

While the renovation is moving along in the rest of the house, I'm working on the ranchburger's dining room. The previous owner used it as an office. 

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Ranch Renovation Diary # 5

Last summer, a 70s ranchburger came into my life. I remember looking up at the old split-level, the low-slung roof barely visible, and I repressed an urge to run away. "Not much curb appeal," my Realtor said, "but you'll love the interior."

 It wasn't love at first sight. Rumor has it, the home had been built without blueprints, and over the years, it had been remodeled many times until it had become an architectural orphan--poor bones and no clear style--and it was supposedly jinxed. The house was a far cry from the gorgeous Mid-Century Modern that stood next-door.Nor did it resemble a French Country cottage, as the sales brochure had promised. 

But I saw great potential. I still do.

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Ranch Renovation Diary # 4

Construction has slowed on the ranch while I wait for new kitchen doors and cabinets.
But the activity will soon pick up, because another project is in the works:
A foyer makeover. 

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The Explorer's Retreat

 After we bought the ranch house, a crusty, old gardener pulled us aside.

"You know the history of this place?" he asked.

The split-level had been built in the early 70s, and I couldn't imagine what sort of history it had accumulated. Had a tornado ripped up a tree? Did the kitchen have Bad Appliance Karma?

"It's a house of divorce," the man said. "Everyone who lives here splits up." To drive home the point, he drew a finger across his throat.

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Ranch Renovation Diary # 3

 

The home remodeling process reminds me of a turtle. 

This slow-moving critter has a hard shell on her back, and if she gets frightened, or just needs to think, she can retreat, safe and snug, hidden from the scary world. She can spend renovation dollars in her mind. However, there's a downside: self-preservation can cause delays. The turtle might tuck herself inside the shell and have a pity party. Worse, she might try to make up for lost time, moving uncharacteristically fast, and the reckless speed could result in unwise decisions and more setbacks.

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Renovation Diary # 2: The Ranchburger's Kitchen

Traditional Kitchen by Long Beach Architects & Building Designers Sennikoff Architects

Ever since a Ranchburger came into my life, I've wondered how to enhance its most striking feature: the view. I also wanted to brighten the rooms, especially the kitchen.

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Ranchburger Renovation Diary #1

 And so it begins . . . . a new kitchen adventure.

For the last few months, I've been working on a renovation game-plan.
This time, I worked with an architect, and we agreed that the 8' kitchen ceiling "matched" the wonderful mood of the house--warm, cozy, and cottage-like. However, the old windows needed updating. Rather than adding new casements, the architect pointed to the wonderful view and suggested that I blow out the windows and cabinets and add floor-to-ceiling doors. Since the kitchen opens onto a porch, I really liked this idea--I imagined eating fried sage leaves at at small wicker table and watching the moon rise.

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A Peek at Our 70s Ranch House

On this crisp, sunny Sunday afternoon, Zap, the Yorkie, would like to invite you on a quick tour of our new-old 70s ranch house.  Zap will be your guide.

Hi, I'm Zap. I'm a Yorkie, not a tour guide, but I'll give it a whirl. 

We shall begin with a few shots of Daddy Doc

on the day that he found his dream house.

Okay, Daddy Doc, i know you're excited about the house,

but i can take over from here.

My mom says to start at the rear elevation. The Realtor said the ranchburger is shaped like an "H." Inside, it has different levels, which I am not looking forward to, but Mom says she'll be with me every step of the way.

I took pictures with Mom's phone, and she says I did good.

So, here is one side of the rear elevation. Upstairs is Daddy Doc's man cave and a balcony. Below is a sort of loggia, which was decorated beautifully by the previous owner. 

Here, Bandy and me sit outside the dining room.

There is a pool out here.

 I do not like it.

The round room with the red canopy is sun room. The other side of the "H" is on the right.

It is the human's main sleeping quarters and a bathroom. 

There is a fenced area off the bath.

It better not be for me.

Mom and Daddy Doc may cover the house with cedar shakes. 

Like this.

Farmhouse Exterior by Atlanta Architects & Building Designers Historical Concepts

The Master bedroom is on the first floor--creamy white walls, lots of windows.

Mom won't have to pick a color, and that's a relief.

Daddy Doc found his dream closet.

However, the Yorkies suggested that carpet might not be the flooring of

choice. Just sayin'. So Mom and I went to the floor store and found a sample of tigerwood.

Let's take a walk on the wild side!

She has to eventually choose between that and regular wood. 

Here is another bedroom down the hall. It may need wood on the floor, too.

The green room has a bath.

 Mother says a neutral floor would be totally cool.

Daddy Doc says are you cray cray?

Mom says no, are you?

I think she'll get the floor.

Here is our living room. The previous owner used part of it for a dining room.

The room behind the French doors was used as an office.

Mom brought  her color boards and told me to pick one. 

I don't really like any of them. But it's like when she asks me if a dress

makes her look fat. So I picked one. I think it was BM Elephant Tusk.

I heard her say that she likes the colors that are there.  But it was worth a
shot to look at other options. I'm glad we won't be changing so much and so much.
I do not like disorder.

I think it all works.

Here is Daddy Doc, showing us the main reason he boughted the house.
mAn cAvE!

oh why must you repaint, Daddy Doc says.

I don't think Mom heard him but I with my keen hearing did.

And I told.

We shall repaint the man cave, she told me.

The house came with super nice draperies, which was a big plus for Mom. 

But the paint? 

It all looks the same to me. I don't know which is which,

but we're looking at BM Ballet White, BM Linen White,

and a BM especial mix of Linen White and Decorator's White.

I think I know what Mom's going for here. A color

that will work with her old stuff and is similar to

the paint she liked at the Georgian.

Off the Man Cave is a screened porch.

The previous owner is a professional chef, and she added

oodles of neat touches to the kitchen. 

These drawers were made especial for place mats and napkins.

To my surprise, my mom will not be ripping out the ceilings. Daddy Doc said

it was A-OK to do it, but mom said she likes how everything is cozy, and besides,

the ceilings suit the house. I did hear her say that she may take out the upper

kitchen cabs and put more windows. She better re-think that. Did she forget

how many cookie cutters she has. Silly woman.

Off the kitchen/breakfast, there is a hall that will take us to the

loggia and pool.

 A door on the right goes down steps to

the garage and also to a mud room.

There is a dish room, too. The previous owner loves tablescaping like my mom.

There are two large closets here, too.

Better than a man cave, Mom says.

Back upstairs to the hall, we have a laundry room.

And a super cute  powder room.

There is a pool house.

Bandy says if this is his new bedroom, he will not be delighted.

Outside, there's a little Martha's Vineyard-ish garden. 

And it even has a little vineyard!

An orchard, too.

A chef's garden.

A secret garden.

Trees and a koi pond.

Grass for Yorkies.

Well, that's it for now. If you have any ideas, let me know and I will tell Mom.

I wish all human readers and their furry ones a happy Sunday!

*If you are a Foodie Friday regular, then you already know the background info. The short version is: Men are from Mars, etc., especially when it comes to Martian vs Venetian (and I don't mean Italy) architecture. Martians love mancaves, bars, pool tables. Venetians break out in hives if they get near a faux bar, but they can be swayed by a view.
That is all.
Love,
Zap

A Metamorphosis Monday contribution.

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