FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
  • Award Winners
  • |
  • About
  • |
  • Videos
  • |
  • Readers’ Choice
    • 2020 Readers’ Choice
    • 2019 Readers’ Choice
    • 2018 Readers’ Choice
    • 2017 Readers’ Choice
    • 2016 Readers’ Choice
    • 2015 Readers’ Choice
    • 2014 Readers’ Choice
    • 2013 Readers’ Choice
  • |
  • 2021 Call for Entries
Houses Awards Winners

Best Remodel 2014: Inside a Model Remodel

A small addition and a savvy design transform a small California bungalow.

By Official Fine Homebuilding Post
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles
See more photos and watch a video about this and all of the award-winning homes at FineHomebuilding.com/houses

Synopsis: In “Inside a Model Remodel,” architect Krista Becker writes about how she designed her award-winning best remodel of the year, a complete reinvention of her 1930s bungalow in Southern California. The whole-house remodel uses smart design strategies—replicable in any remodel-to modernize the floor plan and to create bright, contemporary interior spaces that are inviting and easy to live in. Organizing the new floor plan to create a contiguous living area made the home feel expansive, while providing the practical benefit of easier child supervision. The private spaces—bedrooms and bathrooms—are placed along a central circulation loop around the new stair, which provides access to the new master suite on the second floor. Should access to the master suite ever become an issue, the full bath and main-floor bedrooms can accommodate single-floor living. A thoughtful remodeling design must address four areas: attention to views to enhance a sense of space, uniform finishes to build flow from room to room, creating open space to offer freedom (ceiling heights rather than walls help define rooms), and increasing daylight to improve a sense of spaciousness.

As an architect, I’ve been fortunate to be involved in a variety of projects throughout my career—everything from high-rises to hospitals. Most recently, I’ve been focused on large-scale civic work—specifically, designing embassies around the world. The work is both demanding and rewarding, and it requires a considerable amount of travel. But as every trip nears its end, I look forward to returning to the small bungalow I’ve called home for the past 15 years in the Sunset Park area of Santa Monica, Calif.

My home was originally built in 1939 as part of a collection of houses constructed for the employees of the nearby Douglas Aircraft Company, renowned for producing the Douglas World Cruiser, the first aircraft to circumnavigate the globe (in 1924).

I was attracted to the house because of its appropriately sized rooms, its good bones, and its well-conceived layout. Public spaces were organized on one side of the house and private spaces on the other. The house met my needs at the time, and I felt it had the core elements that would yield plentiful design opportunities sometime down the road.

As the years went by, my family grew, and so did the demands on our home. That “sometime down the road” was now at our doorstep, and I decided it was time for a redesign. Despite my extensive work in architecture, this remodel would be my very first residential project.

An ordinary wish list

Over the years, I often considered how I wanted our home to live. For instance, I’ve always wanted a house with a strong connection to its backyard, which is the largest “room” in the house here in Southern California. I wanted a welcoming entry, an open kitchen with a large island, and a master suite with a deep soaking tub. I wanted all of the spaces to be finished with beautiful, low-maintenance materials. I envisioned a bright interior, with daylight pouring through windows that also provided views of our yard.

I craved the convenience of a laundry room and the luxury of a room that could serve as an office and as a bedroom for guests. Finally, I wanted a flexible space for my son to play in that wouldn’t dominate the house.

Although our original house was only a touch beyond 1000 sq. ft., I was able to achieve everything on my wish list with min-imal expansion. A 158-sq.-ft addition to the back of the house and a 340-sq.-ft. second-story addition were among the subtle moves that transformed our small bungalow into a spacious family-friendly home.

For more photos and details, click the View PDF button below. You can also view the video here. 

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

A Field Guide to American Houses

If you want to plan, design, or remodel based on the vast tradition of American architectural styles you first have to understand their history, geography, architectural significance, and relationship to one another. This book can help with that.
Buy at Amazon

Musings of an Energy Nerd: Toward an Energy-Efficient Home

Fine Homebuilding readers know Martin Holladay well and love his practical, cost-effective approach to energy-efficiency and green building. In this book, he walks you through every step of planning an energy-smart home that is healthy, durable, and comfortable.
Buy at Amazon

Graphic Guide to Frame Construction

Now in it’s 5th edition, Rob Thallon’s book for builders has been a go-to resource for decades. This book features clear graphics that will help you understand how nearly all American houses are — or should be — built.
Buy at Amazon

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

See more photos and watch a video about this and all of the award-winning homes at FineHomebuilding.com/houses

×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
View PDF

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Houses Awards Winners

View All
  • 2020 Best New Home: Science Drives Design
  • 2020 Best Remodel: Two Structures, Two Treatments
  • 2020 Editor's Choice: Island Inspiration
  • 2020 Readers' Choice: Contemporary Farmhouse
View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

FHB Podcast Segment: Repairing an Old Home While Maintaining Its Integrity

Learn about different approaches to making updates and repairs to older homes with historic charm.

Featured Video

Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by Brick

Watch mason Mike Mehaffey construct a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes.

Related Stories

  • FHB Podcast Segment: Repairing an Old Home While Maintaining Its Integrity
  • Beat the Heat: Cool Innovations
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Designing and Building an Efficient Slab-On-Grade Home
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Do You Need HVAC Ducts in Every Room?

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

Video

View All Videos
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Repairing an Old Home While Maintaining Its Integrity
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Designing and Building an Efficient Slab-On-Grade Home
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Do You Need HVAC Ducts in Every Room?
  • FHB Podcast Segment: A Homemade Radiant Heat Floor Assembly
View All

Design and Planning

View All Design and Planning Articles
  • Scaled to Suit the Site
  • Materials Make a Midcentury Remodel
  • Modern Mountain Farmhouse
  • Anneke Dunnington, Carpenter
View All Design and Planning Articles

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 81%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data