5 Star Houzz Review: Oakland Bungalow Remodel

We transformed a modest cottage in the Dimond neighborhood of Oakland into a larger home that is carefully tailored for the long term living, learning and working needs of the family.

Our clients are deeply embedded in their neighborhood and the larger Oakland community. They came to us requesting an expansion to their home with thoughtfulness to each aspect of how they wish to inhabit their house and yard, to integrating all the functions of the building, and to their quiet aesthetic. Thanks to our client, Mary Fuller, for the 5 star Houzz review below.

“We lived in our home for 11 years before doing a remodel/addition to our 1940 bungalow. I researched and interviewed several architects and I’m so very glad I decided to work with Alexandra and her firm. My family has been living in the finished product for almost two years now, and I’m constantly aware of how lucky and privileged we are to have the beautiful space that is custom-made for our needs.

The scope of the project was no problem for Alexandra’s firm. The house was originally a modest 3bd/2bth with vinyl siding and a bit of lava rock on the front. We redid the entire exterior in stucco. We added about 950 sqft, including a second story housing an office and primary suite. We also reconfigured the back of the first floor, which included relocating the kitchen. We took significant portions of the house back to the studs, and Alexandra designed updated HVAC, drainage and electrical systems, and worked with an engineer on structural work so we could add the second story and make sure everything was prepped for earthquakes etc. She also helped me interview and select a contractor, and we ended up going with her recommendation (Lema construction), which ended up being an excellent decision.

For the design, we wanted to make sure that design was true to the character of the original house, but updated with a modern sensibility. The designs that Alexandra did for our home beautiful and thoughtfully functional. She helped me narrow down the priorities on our wish list to the constraints of the project, and offered options that I never would have thought of. She saved me from myself multiple times. I was very engaged in the design process and she took and integrated input and ideas and remained professional and helpful throughout the time we worked together, always keeping an eye out for places where certain decisions might trigger delays or other problems down the road. It was so very helpful to have an experienced person to help us through the zoning and permitting process and just generally help me keep my sanity (as much as one could doing a major project like this during COVID).
I also worked with an interior designer from Alexandra’s team during the finishing stages, which was very helpful. The designer played more of a consulting role because I liked finding and selecting everything myself, but again, it saved me several times to have an experienced pro and thought partner to point me in good directions and steer me away from some decisions I’m sure I would have regretted.

In the end, I truly have my dream house and I’m grateful to Alexandra and her team for getting us there. I’m very happy to recommend Saikley Architects to anyone looking to reimaging their home.”

Project: Dimond family Home