Ranch Dressing: 1960s Ranch House Remodel ó Exterior Details

Morse Remodeling & Custom Homes, in Davis, Calif., and a team of designers and subcontractors joined forces to transform this house from a 1960s ranch to what company owner Marty Morse says was dubbed “California contemporary with Asian influences.” The customer’s request for a great room with high ceilings to replace the original 8-foot ceilings, as well as additional windows and some seismic upgrades, meant that it was more cost-effective to replace the existing structure with new walls and a new roof. Once the decision was made to add a center cathedral gable to the originally flat roof, the team also added gables to either side of the home to maintain its symmetrical look.

Morse and architect Ron Vogel completed the layout and design. The details and finishes were a collaborative effort between Morse’s company, the owner’s niece — who is also a designer — and a team of subcontractors.

The stucco exterior finish, cement tile roof, and slate flooring enhance the simple, clean lines of the house. To help make these design decisions, the remodeling company created a specification board to show how the materials would look together.

Morse says that, as with most ranch remodels, these homeowners wanted a more open feel for how they live today, with a great room and a kitchen at the heart of the home. And this remodel delivers.

Nina Patel, senior editor, REMODELING.