The original house was small, cramped and dark. Not what one would expect on this bluff top lot overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Both the interior and exterior were painted redwood. Few windows took advantage of its location. The owners, who had lived in the house for two years prior to the remodel, knew exactly what they wanted: a Cape Cod style home with large windows and French doors to capture ocean views and bring in lots of natural light.

The original home was taken down to the studs. Insulation was installed where previously there was none. Exterior walls are now fiber cement shingles that will require minimal maintenance even in this coastal environment. New windows, HVAC unit (96% AFUE), and energy recovery ventilator make the home comfortable and energy efficient. White interior walls and numerous skylights add to the feeling of light and openness and further help to achieve the owners’ goal in this Cape Cod bluff top home. (Architect: William Demmary & Associates; Photographer: Jim Bartsch.)