Green Builders on the Central Coast
window reveals straw beneath

RECENT PROJECTS


Busy Family’s Home Makeover

Two-Family Passive Solar Home

This 1980s era ranch house needed some serious updating when this busy young family purchased it. Semmes & Co. completely made over the entire exterior with old world finished stucco and all new windows and doors.

The interior living space received a new look with the only floor plan change being the incorporation of a covered porch into living space.

Old carpet was removed and wood and tile flooring was installed throughout. The kitchen and baths were updated with new counter tops and cabinets, and new bath fixtures and Energy Star appliances. Daylighting was added to increase the use of natural light, integral color Venetian plaster was used on the fireplaces and certain walls, and recycled beams add depth and interest to the ceiling.

The owner, a professional woodworker and cabinetmaker, fashioned the cabinet doors out of the staves of recycled oak wine barrels, stained to a rich cherry color by the zinfandel wine that had been stored in them.

Location  
Exterior changes All new exterior stucco
New windows and doors
Interior changes 150 sq. ft. of covered porch incorporated into dining room
New plaster on walls
All new flooring
Recycled ceiling beams
New cabinets in kitchen & baths
New Energy Star appliances in kitchen
Architect Mary White
Completion Date Spring 2009