Small Lot, Big Challenges
A tight parcel and an old walnut tree—along with stringent requirements from the city regarding setbacks, coverage, and driveway materials—necessitated a creative layout and design by the Estes team.
“We used the survey and satellite images overlaid on the site plan to make sure the shape of the house was as far in the back corner as possible,” recalls Estes’ Custom Home Consultant Wes Fetch. “After doing our initial drawings, we went out to the property and staked out the house. We then measured from the ground to the height of the house to plan the least amount of impact on the tree. In the end we only had to remove one lower branch. The client was very happy.”
A snug space with close neighbors also meant balancing privacy with a desire for natural light. The design team paid special attention to window placement when laying out and positioning the floor plan. The cedar-lined tongue-and-groove deck overhang also includes skylights to bring in more daylight.
On the exterior, cedar siding, a quaint front porch, and double-hung wood windows help the home blend into the fabric of the existing neighborhood, as if it has always been nestled among the older Craftsman and Victorian houses the town is known for. Inside, archways, crown molding, and large trim blend with more modern touches like light wood-grain cabinets, a cabinet-paneled fridge and linear electric fireplace. The home’s guest suite is separated from the main living area with glass-paneled French doors, allowing for flexible use when not dedicated to guests.
Sized and sited with respect for the lot and the surrounding area, it’s no surprise that the home appraised significantly over cost. It’s proof that finding property in an ideal spot and designing the home to fit the space and your needs—rather than expectations of what a custom home should be—is a smart investment for both the present and the future.
