Walnut Creek Eichler
A Walnut Creek house built by California developer Joseph Eichler was lived in by a busy family of four. The kitchen was dated, having been previously updated in a style that was trendy at the time, and needed expanded workspace and storage. Remodeling the kitchen became a catalyst for our clients to improve the interconnection between the living room, dining room, kitchen, and the interior courtyard, a feature common in Eichlers.
Walking through the courtyard, from the front door to the kitchen, there was an interior wall that visually separated the view through the house and blocked natural light to the kitchen. We recommended removing this barrier, and in doing so were asked by our clients to creatively find a solution that didn't impact the existing exposed structural system of the house. In the end, we worked with the engineer to install new steel beams on the roof, concealed within the foam insulation topper, also commonly found in Eichlers.
The kitchen, now more open and brighter, works within a minimalist modern design that coordinates with the Eichler aesthetic. Full-overlay white millwork and pau lope wall panels contrast in warmth. The island centerpiece is made with a continuous horizontal-grain walnut, wrapping from one end panel to the other, and connects with a floating shelf over the sink. A coffee and wine center was integrated into a corner where a sliding door used to be. Hex tile adds a gentle honeycomb texture, and offset track lighting runs along both sides of the kitchen beam, providing essential task lighting.
It's now possible to view the kids and dog playing outside when standing at the island, whether they're in the backyard or courtyard, making for the true indoor-outdoor lifestyle that Eichlers intended.
“Stacy and her team have formulated the perfect balance of passion for design, knowledge of style and materials, and a careful appreciation for the use of space. Truly masters of their craft, Eisenmann Architecture created the ideal environment for our family and we couldn't be any happier with the results.”
- Mike (Client)