In 2015 my mom bought a triplex in Torrance and Hiro and I moved into the apartment most in need of repair (unit A). We lived in the space for about a year and then started the design of some dramatic upgrades including raising the ceiling, redoing the kitchen, and borrowing the bedroom closet to enlarge the bathroom. We hired an engineer to draw up the plans and then found a contractor for the project. After staying with some friends for four months (thank you Russell and Lori!), we're back... and the structural, plumbing, electrical, and tile work is complete.
Now we'll take our time making the furniture making and doing the trim work as time allows.
Exterior
before (Mar 2015)
after (Jan 2017)
Living room
before (Mar 2015)
after (Jan 2017)
Kitchen
before (Mar 2015)
after (Jan 2017)
Bathroom
before (Mar 2015)
after (Jan 2017)
Bedroom
before (Mar 2015)
after (Jan 2017)
We hired Treeium's Ron Admony (review here) to handle the renovation and it went very well! Here's what we've done so far.
Exterior
- new-construction windows
- re-stucco main building and garage
- 3.5kW solar system
- rain gutters
- new exterior doors
- new entry lights
Living and bedroom
- raised the ceiling to match roof height
- cut a hole in the wall for a dual-side desk (office / sewing)
- re-finished original wood floors (1944?)
- mini-split air conditioning
Kitchen
- replaced water heater closet with on-demand heater below the sink
- custom cabinet and new appliances (5' sink!)
- new floor (end-grain douglas fir with black oil stain)
- full height tile backsplash
Bathroom
- removed hallway storage to enlarge bathroom
- converted bedroom closet to dedicated toilet room
- skylights above shower and toilet
- new tile floor
- new shower with Heath Ceramics "Mural" tile
- custom wall-mount cabinet and new sink
- full height tile