Architects Audrey McEwen and Jon Gaiser purchased this 1970s San Diego townhouse with the goal of using it as a blank-slate new abode. They made decisions carefully to keep costs down but still make an impact. Using the initial floor plan, adhering to the property’s footprint and searching for materials and appliances at great prices helped them stay on track with their budget. “What we can’t afford to purchase, we do not,” says McEwen.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Audrey McEwen and Jon Gaiser
Location: San Diego
Size: 900 square feet
Price of update: $38,000 (for appliances, materials, demolition, plumbing and electrical work)
Jon+Aud Design
Clean, light and chic materials give the townhouse a modern and glowing appearance. Most of the original structure remains — that the few was lucky to discover a room with a lofted ceiling and an open loft bedroom.
Both trained architects, McEwen and Gaiser measured the whole space and created a new plan using Google SketchUp.
Sculpture:”Seagulls” by Curtis Jere, eBay; wall paint: Swiss Coffee, Behr; upholstered chairs: Adrian Pearsall for Craft, Etsy
Before Photo
Jon+Aud Design
The 1977 townhouse had some interesting geometry, which interested the couple, but everything felt beige and dull.
Jon+Aud Design
AFTER: Handcrafted and refurbished decor and bamboo-clad openings add visual interest. The couple wanted a very basic material palette, and bamboo’s strength and ecofriendly nature made it a simple option. Used on all the wood accents and flooring, the bamboo generates uniformity.
Jon+Aud Design
The pair inherited some furniture however, discovered most of their midcentury bits on Craigslist and eBay, refurbishing most of them. McEwen made her own Alexander Calder–inspired mobile.
Some custom bits add for their minimalist appearance, too. McEwen’s father, Neal McEwen, is a talented woodworker who aided her design and build the living room console, hallway bench, dining table and other bits.
Sofa: Tazlow Sofa Bed, Madoka Modern; hardwood flooring: Morning Star Natural Strand Bamboo, Lumber Liquidators
Before Photo
Jon+Aud Design
A pantry between the kitchen and the dining area made the old kitchen feel shut off from the adjacent dining room and living area.
Jon+Aud Design
AFTER: McEwen and Gaiser moved the pantry to the other side of the kitchen entrance, creating a simpler entrance to the dining area and pub. McEwen made the table, and her father built it. The authentic Mies van der Rohe MR chairs were an extraordinary Craigslist find. Bamboo panels help offset the uniquely angled kitchen .
Jon+Aud Design
Not surprisingly, the kitchen updates ended up being the most expensive section of the remodel, costing roughly $17,000. The couple spent $13,000 on demolition, installing new drywall and plaster, cabinetry, appliances, and pipes and electrical work.
McEwen features most of their funding luck to timing. Since they started their remodel during the summer and spring, a great deal of semiannual and yearly earnings helped them cut down on prices.
Microwave, oven, cooker: Ikea; fridge: Whirlpool
Before Photo
Jon+Aud Design
Dark cabinetry, fluorescent light and mismatched appliances designed for a poorly lit and outdated-looking kitchen.
Jon+Aud Design
AFTER: One of the few splurges is that the kitchen countertop — that the Pure White Caesarstone price about $3,500. Integrating the stovetop using the countertop made for an extra-clean appearance.
Countertops: Pure White Ceasarstone; cabinetry: Ikea; backsplash : Arctic White subway tile, Daltile
Before Photo
Jon+Aud Design
The old staircase wasn’t very eye catching.
Jon+Aud Design
AFTER: Adaptive but strong 14-foot bamboo rods line the stairs for a straightforward but statement-making bannister. An affordable carpet remnant from a local producer’s warehouse outlines the measures.
Bench: made by McEwen, assembled by Neal McEwen
Jon+Aud Design
“We really love the appearance of bamboo,” says McEwen. “The grain is subtle, and also the mild end enhances rather than distracts from the glowing overall atmosphere we had been attempting to achieve.”
Before Photo
Jon+Aud Design
The old fashioned bedroom and bathroom felt too open to the main living room below. Only a very low half wall and a little but embarrassing column kept it from being completely open.
Jon+Aud Design
AFTER: A higher partition makes the bedroom feel more separated from the living room. The brand new wall now holds all of the wiring to the new Nelson Bubble Lamp hanging below.
Sideboard: inherited Danish teak credenza; ceiling fan: Artemis, Minka Aire
Jon+Aud Design
Next to the closet, the open master bathroom has his-and-her sinks, with a private shower and toilet area.
Jon+Aud Design
A small window in the bathroom lets extra all-natural light in.
Before Photo
Jon+Aud Design
Bland carpeting, bare lightbulbs and cookie cutter remover materials made for a drab and somewhat depressing master bathroom.
Jon+Aud Design
AFTER: With some careful budgeting, the couple ended up spending about $4,000 on the master bathroom. They found great deals on the cabinetry and sink, and also cut and set most of the tile themselves.
The price that ended up surprising the few — in the bathroom and in the rest of the house — was light and electrical work. They had all the present lighting replaced with LED (light-emitting diode) and energy-saving fittings, and upgraded all the outlets and switches. “It’s a pet peeve of mine when all the switch plates and outlets are mismatched,” says McEwen. “These small upgrades really add up.”
Backsplash tile: Creama River Rock Mosaic, Jeffrey Court; vanity: Godmorgon sink cupboard, Ikea; faucet: Braviken, Ikea; faucets: Vega in polished chrome, Pfister
Jon+Aud Design
McEwen always wanted a succulent garden, so that she made use of the tall cacti already in the backyard. A brick terrace helps keep the area low maintenance.
Jon+Aud Design
String lights hung from the arbor add to the outside space’s warm vibe at nighttime. An extra-large mirror makes the terrace feel more spacious.
Would they’ve done anything else? Even though they saved some money doing most of the demolition themselves, McEwen would certainly hire someone later on. The work itself was challenging, then they still had to haul off all of the junk. “You need to be emotionally emotionally and financially committed whenever you are doing a total renovation to your home,” she says.
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