A [Little] Mighty House

The mainstay of this project is conservation — conservation of costs and conservation of materials; all the meanwhile maintaining a high level of sustainable building measures and excellent indoor air quality.

The house is a 1980, rambler which when purchased in 2006 had clearly not had any finishes or renovations made to it since it’s completion in 1980. A remodeling plan was put into place to update the home’s aesthetics, remove low-quality and crummy fixtures, and to find better solutions for a growing family’s spatial needs.

As we mentioned, the big story in this home is conversation and simplicity. The projects feels tangible, something anyone can do to make big change to the use and/or aesthetics of their home… although truth be told, the work not only took fine craftsmanship, but a dedication to thoughtfulness and a lot of patience. The budget was a driving force to the schedule of projects and part of keeping to the budget often meant waiting for the ‘right’ salvaged or re-purposed materials to present themselves.

The scope of the remodel to-date includes:

• Maintaining existing footprint to maximize outdoor spaces
• Salvaged or re-purposed materials in every room.
• Low-impact flooring (including bamboo and remnant marmoleum) replaced vinyl and carpet.
• Low-/No-VOC or reused paints throughout.
• “Water-wise” fixtures.
• “Energy-star” appliances.
• Tool-shed entirely from salvaged materials.
• Smart powerstrips throughout (as appropriate).                         
• Radiant ceiling heat (office only)
• Expandable solar installed (1-panel up, brackets ready for 3 more next spring, system ready for 23 more!)
• Redesigned yard for fun, privacy, and low-water and low-maintenance with a few edibles thrown in for yum.
• And more.

The kitchen itself is exemplary of all the attributes of the remodel:

• Salvaged cabinets
• Butcher block countertops re-oriented and re-worked into an island top
• Paperstone countertops surround
• Bamboo flooring
• Salvaged garden window
• Low-voltage pendant light
• Dimmers on all switches
• Low-VOC paints
• Salvaged pantry shelf
• Marmoleum backer for future wine rack
• Energy Star and Water Wise appliances/fixtures
• Smart cell phone charging station

Some of the other features of this sustainable home are in the choices made on a daily basis furnishing and living in the home. From homemade cleaning products to a “no-more new plastics” intention, every decision is made with indoor air quality, health, and sustainability forward.