Warm Modern Remodel + Addition

Albany, CA

Exterior of the remodeled Albany home with a new second-story addition, blue lap siding, large modern windows, and a bright orange front door with metal entry railing.
Entry and living area with vaulted ceiling and exposed wood beams, clerestory windows, a warm wood front door, a colorful rug, and a teal lounge chair in soft daylight.
Open plan main floor showing the compact new stair with cable railing beside the kitchen island, leading toward the dining nook and sliding doors that open to the shaded deck.
Dining nook with a round white table and modern chairs, looking through wide sliding doors to the deck and pergola. Wood privacy screens cast striped light across the floor.
Warm modern kitchen with a large quartz island and seating, two-tone cabinetry, stainless range and hood, and geometric tile backsplash lit by simple pendant lights.
View down the open kitchen and living space toward the deck, showing the long island, pendant lights, built-in cabinetry, and sliding glass doors that connect indoors and outdoors.
Minimal footprint stair to the new second story with wood handrail and cable guardrail, grey treads, built-in storage below, and a bold blue accent wall for a warm modern feel.
Backyard deck with pergola and cable railing, set against the new addition. Glass doors open to the kitchen and dining area, creating easy indoor outdoor living and shade.
Small powder room with playful illustrated wallpaper, deep purple beadboard wainscoting, classic hex tile floor, pedestal sink, and a frosted window for soft natural light.
Primary bath walk-in shower with frameless glass, white textured wall tile, built-in niches with glass shelves, rain shower head, and large dark floor tiles for contrast.
Second-floor stair landing filled with daylight from a large skylight, featuring cable railing, a teal accent wall, and a starburst chandelier above the stair opening.
Detail of the bright stair landing with a starburst chandelier, teal feature wall, tall window, and slim cable railing that keeps the new second-story circulation light and open.
Bathroom with mint green subway tile wainscoting and tub surround, grey vanity with quartz top, small window, and wood look tile flooring that adds warmth to the modern palette.
Primary bathroom with a freestanding soaking tub, long floating vanity and full-width mirror, glass shower enclosure, and warm neutral finishes that make the space feel calm and bright.

Warm Modern Remodel + Addition

Albany, CA

  • Year Built: 2017

    This second-story addition and major remodel create a warm modern vibe. With its thoughtful mix of colors, textures, and finishes, this home really pops.

    The Owners wanted a modern design, a more open floor plan, and additional space while still respecting the neighborhood architecture. They specifically asked for a stair to the new second-story addition that would have a minimal footprint while bringing light into the rest of the home. Since the lot is only 30′ wide by 120′ deep, a second-story addition was the most feasible solution.

    • Levitch created an open floor plan on the main floor and remodeled the Kitchen and living space that connects to the new deck shaded by a pergola.

    • In the new second story, there are three Bedrooms and two Bathrooms.

    • During construction, we took the house down to the floor structure, so now it’s practically a brand-new home. Since the existing home was wider than would currently be allowed, leaving one corner of the foundation intact allowed us to maintain about 1′ in width even though this made construction more complicated.

    • The new mix of colors, textures, and materials throughout the home creates a modern aesthetic that is warm and livable.

    This home was featured in a Levitch project profile published by the local American Institute of Architects (AIA) East Bay chapter, and the Kitchen was featured in an Houzz article on when to select Kitchen finishes.

    Photography by Treve Johnson

  • See how things looked before we completed the project, below.

  • “Maurice and his staff were very efficient throughout the process, assisting with the many issues/options that come up. The construction stayed on schedule (which never happens) and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. They handled all the city and county codes and permits, and were always available to help with any questions/suggestions we had. This is not the way to go if you are trying to save money, but if you want a low stress, inclusionary handling of your large project, Levitch Associates will knock it out of the park!“

    M. V.

Process

Main floor during construction, taken down to studs with exposed framing, plumbing, and electrical rough-ins, showing how the remodel opened up the plan before new finishes were installed.
Staircase framing during the remodel, showing the compact stair run and landing under construction with exposed studs and daylight filtering in from new openings above.
Front exterior during construction with plywood sheathing, new roof framing, and scaffolding, showing the house rebuilt to the floor structure for the second story addition.
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