Blog
From gorgeous new kitchens perfect for hosting family gatherings to luxurious, spa-like bath retreats and life-changing home remodels through our philanthropy program, the Lewis Builders team has created some truly special spaces this year!
Watch as we reflect on 2022 and catch a glimpse of what's in store for 2023.
I am really fortunate to have not only a high performing team of hard working, smart people on our team at LB, but also humbled by their hearts and desire to give back to our community. This is not only true for our internal team at LB but also our trade contractors and clients.
A couple years ago, our team voted and unanimously agreed to give back to our community and help a family or individual in need of home accessibility that could otherwise not afford the modifications. Once we agreed, we thought it would take months to get the word out and look for a person and project with the greatest need that we could make the biggest impact with. To our surprise we had the perfect candidate practically fall in our lap. I was at physical therapy the next day and shared this with the owner and good friend of mine, John Farahmand. He sees hundreds if not thousands of patients in his multiple clinics in the area, and he immediately lit up and said, “I have the perfect candidate.” And that is how we met Joseph Escalante.
I learned as much as I could about Joseph and brought it back to the team. We knew immediately that there was no need to wait and collect other candidates; we had found our perfect match.
One of the interesting things about accessibility is this is what brought my business partner Scott Julian and I together. Early in my career, as a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS), I was referred to for accessibility needs of all types throughout Monterey County. Scott represented the medical equipment side of things and we continued to get referred to the same projects. I enjoyed working with Scott because of his values and ethics and knew that if we were both on a job the client would be well taken care of, regardless of whether it was a child with a disability or an elderly person that was experiencing the burdens of aging. Eventually, Scott left that industry and joined my side as a business partner in Lewis Builders, and we’ve grown it into what it is today. And while we no longer do small accessibility projects, we are passionate about incorporating these Universal Design concepts into our homes, long before our clients ever even need them.
I became passionate about this line of work because of having to recover from major knee surgery when I was younger, single, and lived on my own in a house that was not set up for accessibility. It was a terribly humbling, and often painful, and even scary experience. Through this, I developed deep empathy for people trying to live safe, independent lives in unsafe homes not set up for accessibility or aging.
Joseph was the perfect candidate because before his injury he also lived a normal life like I had before my injuries. But now he knows to a much greater degree the drastic differences of trying to live life in a new way, in a home ill-suited to the new needs. In this project, we knew we could truly live our creed, “Change Your Space. Change Your Life.”
Our plan was to renovate his house to reestablish some independence despite his disabilities, but also some safety. I am proud of all of the contributions from our team, trade partners, suppliers, and even some clients, that came together to help out a complete stranger either out of empathy or sympathy for a fellow community member. So for those of you that helped, contributed time, money, or labor, I am deeply grateful that we made a huge impact into Joseph's daily life.
So on the eve of Thanksgiving and this holiday season ahead, I want to simply say to all of you, thank you.
John Lewis
Located in the prestigious Carmel Highlands, this home went through quite a transformation. Beginning as a full home remodel, it evolved into a “custom home new build.” For this family of four, relocating to Carmel, California was motivated by a desire to get closer to nature. So it was essential that we brought the elements of the peaceful forest and breathtaking ocean seamlessly into the design of their new home.
This truly is a “CHANGE YOUR SPACE, CHANGE YOUR LIFE” story. Husband and wife Vince and Melissa and their two beautiful girls had been living in Southern California. They felt like they were missing out on precious moments together as a family. Their initial idea was to buy this as a vacation home and use it as such until their daughters went away to college. They took the leap and moved here full time…everything changed: new school, new home, new office, new life!
The just under 2,000 square foot home was in the perfect location surrounded by pristine scenery, but was in dire need of a renovation. A tremendous amount of vision and expertise was required to take this home from what it was to what could be. To start, we took the home nearly down to the foundation. Using the existing footprint, we created a complete redesign, increasing the square footage by building upwards, adding in a grand vaulted ceiling and the addition of a loft. One of our main objectives was to maximize the magnificent views for the family.
“It was fun sharing the experience of building something together as a family,” adds Melissa. Even one of the daughters had the brilliant addition of the skylight in the upper loft/playroom, which was incorporated into the design.
This family of four was downsizing from a 5,000 sq ft home in SoCal, so we needed to be cognizant of this as we created their new 2,760 sq ft. space. This was a welcomed downsize for the family and our aim was to design in plenty of seamless storage and design elements to help the home feel spacious. This included adding in many large windows and oversized doorways, the grand raised ceiling and open floor plan aesthetic. The family was surprised at how they did not even notice this decrease in space due to the efficiency of the design.
The finished project is a testament to the family’s love for the natural charm of the area and spending time together. The end result is a warm and natural, yet polished and modern aesthetic. Rich woods are found throughout the entire house, and an understated rustic charm is felt in elements such as the gracious chandeliers, trim, and staircase. Hand-hewn Douglas fir box beams, from Vintage Timberworks were sourced from local authentic recycled, reclaimed wood. Throughout the home, wood flooring creates warmth with tongue-and-groove pine custom stained at the clients’ request. Other flooring features country-grade European oak, cut to highlight the natural character of the wood, including cracks from the heart of the tree. It’s finished in beautiful tannin-reactive colors for natural, neutral hues.
Rather than being isolated as it formerly was, the relocated kitchen, featuring a large island complemented by a natural stone wall, now leads into a formal dining and family room, creating a shared space that is truly the heart of the home. Our layout reconfiguration relocated the primary suite to the west side of the home to maximize views, featuring a den for relaxing and a spacious primary bath, appointed with spa elements like a waterfall shower and soaking tub. Views of the ocean and mountains abound and a walk-around deck was added to fully maximize those stunning views.
Renovations made to this gorgeous Quail Run Golf Community home in Carmel Valley have been decades in the making. Built in the 1960s, the current owners have lived here since the ’90s, and with their two adult daughters now settled in New York City, this husband and wife decided that it was finally time to make some big changes and create their dream home.
The Vision
The clients’ main wishes included improving the flow of the three-bedroom home, especially between the kitchen, dining and living areas; bringing more light into the space; adding a bathroom; and incorporating an Ofuro, or Japanese Bath, into the primary bedroom. They also wanted to fill in the pool, update their appliances and create a better area for their cats’ litter box.
They asked for clean, straight lines throughout the space, and a limited color palette, but were very comfortable with trusting our designer’s expertise to make decisions on the overall design.
The Challenges
Built about 50 years ago, this house was not constructed in a way that would be considered structurally acceptable by today’s standards. One of the most important tasks on our list was to bring the home up to modern specs and seismic standards. This included removing the siding, adding sheet panel, and addressing termite damage. Neither our clients nor our team was expecting to strip the entire house down to the studs, but we ultimately found an affordable way to address the issues and make the structure safe.
Light and Flow
To brighten up the space, we created a vaulted ceiling by removing and restructuring about two thirds of the roof. We then added hand-cut rafters to serve as a focal point. We also opened up the main living areas by removing partition walls so the kitchen, dining room and living room all flowed together.
In the kitchen, we added updated appliances and paired them with beautiful, frameless cabinetry for a clean look. In the living room we created a full wraparound hearth and mantle which flows seamlessly into pass-through shelves, giving the impression that the feature is made from one solid piece of stone.
The customer wanted to incorporate a favorite element of their Japanese roots in their bathroom renovation with a custom Ofuro, or Japanese Bath. We made this vision come to life through a two-part space featuring a shower room and a room for the soak tub in keeping with the Ofuro tradition of showering first before relaxing in the bath. The soak tub, which stays full as the water recirculates, is warmed by its very own water heater controlled on a wall panel. The shower area features stunning, solid-surface walls.
The cats even got their wish of a bathroom upgrade with a fully automated, self-maintaining litter box. Connected to its own open drain and water line in the main bathroom, the Cat Genie litter box is on an automated schedule based on when the cats choose to use it. It self-cleans, - sanitizes, and -dries every day—and never requires a litter change.
Compared to the structural challenges the Lewis Builders team faced earlier in this project, the exterior renovations were a breeze. We filled in the pool, which the clients never used, with non-organic fill materials before topping the area with sand and topsoil. By eliminating the pool, the clients then had enough water credits available for their added bathroom.
Finally, as a tribute to the home’s history, we replanted the eight-foot-wide rose bushes that we had salvaged during construction.
This family was absolutely beside themselves when they experienced the finished results. They are so happy with the outcome and are looking forward to this next chapter in their family home in Quail Run.
We live by our tagline: Change Your Space, Change Your Life®. Sometimes, that means transforming a Pebble Beach cliff house for a high-profile client or updating a seaside vacation home into a modern masterpiece. Other times, we have the opportunity to make a dramatic difference for someone who desperately needs home help — someone like Joseph Escalante and his wonderful mother, Sandy.
In 2005, Joseph was a carefree young man vacationing with a friend in Mexico. They were relaxing on a beach when three cars came racing across the sand and ran over them in a moment of an unimaginable tragedy. Joseph’s friend died instantly, and Joseph was left critically injured, with permanent brain damage affecting his ability to do life’s most basic functions.
Joseph moved back into his mother’s Salinas home, where she could provide the constant care he needed to survive. With the addition of his wheelchair and other medical equipment, it was very difficult for him to move around the house and accomplish simple tasks on his own. Joseph and Sandy needed help.
When Lewis Builders heard Joseph’s story, we knew we could — and should — help. We got to work designing and crafting an updated, accessible space that would give Joseph a bit more independence and Sandy some relief and peace of mind.
By early May, the main parts of construction were complete. The house was ready for exterior paint and other finishing touches — perfect tasks for the collection of LB employees, friends, family, and local businesses who stepped up to volunteer. Everyone was eager to make a difference and become part of what it truly means to Change Your Space, Change Your Life.
The morning of paint day, Sandy greeted us with warm oatmeal cookies and immense love and gratitude. She wanted a beach house color and feel — something that was happy but also calming. Sherwin Williams graciously donated all the paint and painting supplies needed to paint the home Vast Sky, a beautiful blue.
Victor Jaurez from Division Painting provided great support with sprayers, manpower, and organization, along with our President, Scott Julian, to organize the LB volunteers. After a few hours of hard work, a taco cart rolled in for lunch to give us a quick break while we celebrated our efforts.
At the end of the day, our hearts were full of love & gratitude for the difference we were able to make with so many caring hands. We look forward to completing this project in mid-June, so stay tuned to watch Joseph move into his new digs!
Joseph’s story is an unforgettable one. Watch this video to understand more.
We sincerely & humbly thank the following friends of Lewis Builders, donors, and trade partners who’ve helped us get this far. We could not do it without their incredible support.
Dr. John Faramound
Eric Lamison
Jay & Jenny Davisson
CRP Plastering
Mission Construction
Williams Roofing
American Tile
Kasavan Construction
Division Painting
Edgars Plumbing
Ferguson Plumbing
Shoreline Woodworks
Mag One Media
Making your home feel bigger doesn’t just mean focusing on your interior. Incorporating your outdoor space into your layout plans is a perfect way to expand your living space, and with this gorgeous Carmel climate, we can’t think of a single complaint.
These kitchen windows open up to the outdoor dining area. A conveniently designed exterior countertop is level with the interior side, allowing for an easy and safe transfer of food and drinks. This space is also equipped with a heater for those crisp evenings spent at this gorgeous custom outdoor table.
There’s nothing quite like open-air living. These large fold-a-doors, when fully opened, allow this living space to flow directly onto the patio. From there, the leisure and enjoyment continues from inside to out.
Just within reach of the living room is a comfy seating area surrounding a sleek fire table, ready to host your closest family and friends. This is the perfect spot to relax and have some appetizers before a relaxing dinner.
When it’s time to take a break from the inside kitchen, the outdoor area is fully equipped with a pizza oven and a convenient pass-through window to keep the crispy, cheesy slices coming.
After an exciting day full of outdoor activities and taking in that California sun, there’s a one-of-a-kind surfboard outdoor shower that is ready for you to reminisce about some of your best waves.
Just around the corner is the primary bedroom suite, complete with double sliding doors that open to the patio and hot tub. The bamboo privacy wall allows you to enjoy your luxurious space with comfort, privacy, and that Zen vibe.
When it’s time to reflect on the day and unwind, the backyard fire pit and seating area is ready for you. Take in the sunset, enjoy your favorite beverage, and sink into the evening. We can’t think of a better way to end your day in a home truly designed for outdoor living at its finest.
This gorgeous Pebble Beach home is nestled on the prestigious Monterey Peninsula Country Club golf course. When you make the choice to live with such privileged views and scenery, spending time outside is essential - and that is what these homeowners planned to do when they moved in. However, the backyard was not very functional and could not accommodate their needs. Part of this remodel was to completely overhaul the backyard and to infuse as much usable space as we could. Now these lucky homeowners can relax with their family and friends next to their fire pit, enjoy their favorite beverages, and take in the golf as it passes by.
Women’s History Month may have passed, but we continue to recognize the contributions of the women who make our company great. That’s why we’re excited to announce that Lewis Builders Chief Administrative Officer, Tammy Lewis, was featured in a recent Carmel Pine Cone feature for their Women in Business series! Tammy knows a thing or two about how remodeling in every sense — whether a home or a life — can be a beautiful thing. This article gives us more insight into her world. Here are the top three facts we learned on building a life and business:
#1: Don’t Be Afraid to Rebuild Your Dream
Earlier in her career, Tammy had a great job in a high-profile position for a large brand. But after meeting the love of her life, John Lewis, she recognized that her dream job wasn’t her only dream anymore — it was time to knock down those corporate walls and build something new.
#2: The Best Foundation is a Strong Relationship
After leaving the corporate world, Tammy worked to build and expand Lewis Builders in partnership with John. This blending of personal and professional might not work for everyone, but Tammy and John saw it as the foundation for a strong, service-minded, and values-based business. Strong relationships are at the center of everything Lewis Builders does, from the trust and care we cultivate with our clients to the respect and collaboration nurtured with our team members.
#3: Use Every Tool in the Box
As Lewis Builders grew, Tammy leaned into the business in a leadership role managing marketing and company branding, as well as overseeing the financial aspects of the business. In her current position as Chief Administrative Officer, Tammy uses every tool in her toolbox to ensure the long-term success of the company.
Like many women, Tammy has built a life on the foundation of everything that came before — education, career, values — and it’s evolved and transformed at every stage. The end result? A custom-designed, perfect-fit life and career built around helping homeowners design their own perfect-fit spaces.
We’d like to thank The Carmel Pine Cone, writer Lisa Crawford Watson, and the Carmel community for their interest and support in Tammy’s achievements. It’s an honor to be part of the Pine Cone publication, and to be recognized as one of our community’s Women in Business. You can find the article on p.36 of the April 1st publication at this link.
Even though custom homebuilding is our passion, you can find just as much reward and satisfaction in a beautiful and unique remodel.
Remodeling isn’t just about updating and modernizing; it also makes a house feel more like a custom home. These Monterra homeowners entrusted us to add finely crafted personal touches that not only enhance their home, but make it feel more like them.
Given the breathtaking scenery available around the Carmel Valley area, maximizing views is always a priority. In this case, we had the privilege of working for a very impressive couple - she being a stunt pilot, and he a former engineer. Their views offered a direct view of the Monterey Airport runway, which allows them to monitor real-time flying conditions.
Spaces are defined yet open in this completely custom kitchen and surrounding dining and living room. Personalized details were added throughout, such as the unique wall sconces flanking the apron-front sink and the striking, copper range hood.
Guests can help themselves to a glass of wine or a cocktail at the custom wet bar, conveniently located between the dining room and kitchen and is now illuminated by this elegant under-cabinet lighting. Together, the one-of-a-kind fluted copper basin and surrounding Lemurian Blue granite counter are the epitome of livable luxury.
There is no better way to relax than with a luxurious custom freestanding soaking tub, all while taking full advantage of your gorgeous views. We carefully chose this spot for the tub and replaced a window with a patio door to allow direct access to the private patio. The tub is highlighted with a custom fabricated wood base and railings.
The use of technology throughout the remodel was important to these homeowners. This included recessed LED lighting, and smart switches throughout the house. These essential features progressed the functionality of their home.
Above the garage is the newly extended home office — now double its original size. Of course, we also made sure to add a dramatic, oversized window to bring more of the incredible Carmel Valley views into this space.
We’re pleased to know the homeowners love their updated, custom space that celebrates the area and all its natural beauty. This remodeled masterpiece feels fresh, modern, impressive, and most importantly, distinctively them.
