Chapter 15 - Renovation of Front Entrance

When we first began the Lisa Lane Project, we knew that a quick coat of fresh paint and a little landscape grooming would not be enough to renovate this shabby hacienda-style house. We wanted to beautify the neighborhood with an updated look and our plan was to redesign the exterior, transforming the house completely. The redesign called for a grand entrance that both welcomed guests and elevated the status of the house in comparison to the dark, caged foyer of the original house.

In order to construct this new entrance, of course, we had to rip down the old entrance. See Chapter 11. Then we began building - First, concrete footings had to be built and poured. We had a special crew come and help us with this job. The driveway had to be cut in a circular shape to follow the new line of the round entrance and then deep footings were dug. Ready for inspection! Or so, we thought! But the inspector turned us down. We had to add and adjust according to his requirements in order to get the go-ahead to pour the cement.

Now with the cement footings poured, time to start on the framing.

On the front of the entrance, a large glue-laminated beam had to be lifted and set into pre-made iron casings. The beam probably weighted about 200 lbs but the construction crew knew exactly how to slowly inch the beam up to the top at 16 feet. Watching the crew walk on narrow boards, lifting this monster beam made me so nervous that I could hardly stand it. I had to take the pictures and then look away. In the end, everyone was safe and the beam is nicely settled. This weekend, the sides of the entrance went up, revealing just how majestic and fabulous this entrance is going to be.

Chapter 14- New Windows & Doors

We have taken "demolition" about as far as we can go! The house has been cut up everywhere and reframed for the new windows and doors. The demoliton phase of our project is coming to an end because honestly, there is not much more we can ruin! The place looked pretty scary, like an abandoned house - perfect for a Haunted House if it were October. It had been sitting like this for about 2 1/2 weeks while waiting for the City permits.

We were wondering if the neighbors were getting nervous since it appeared that we had stopped working on it. Steve and I thought it would be funny to paint a Big sign saying, "Ran out of Money. Donate here." But we did got the permits and the doors and windows arrived. In just three days, we installed 12 windows, 2 French doors 2 sliding glass doors and 1 single outside balcony door.
Jim, Steve's brother came over to help with the marathon install as well as Steve C. and Stacey Slade.

In the front formal living room, the original house had 2 French doors leading to a small porch, the jacuzzi porch. We decided to make one of the French doors a picture window and replace the old door with a brand new French door. We have also replaced the old ugly window in the dining room that looks out on the backyard.

Jim and Steve are working on the living room picture window in these pictures. Steve and Steve C. are hanging the French door.

In the original kitchen, there were actually 5 windows- 3 in the center and 2 on the side of the bump-out. For so many windows, it was a little strange that there was so little light and the dark brown kitchen was a flouresant cave. Steve redesigned the kitchen with only 3 center windows. This design allowed for more cabinet and storage space. Removing the drop ceiling immediately alleviated the oppressive atmosphere and allowed more light and space.


Probably the room that had the biggest make-over was the family room or great room off the kitchen. Remember the Hawaiian lounge with black lava rock, dark brown tile and Tiki Hut bar? There was one source of light into this drab den - the sliding glass door. Actually, it was more like a sticky glass door that only moved if you pushed on it with the strength of a line backer. The door was located very close to the kitchen counter. In the redesign, we wanted the family room to be open, welcoming and comfortable. So, Steve added 4 gorgeous windows and moved the sliding glass doors toward the center of the room. The windows and glass door open up the view onto a new porch (yet to be built) and backyard (yet to be planted). It is absolutely beautiful and my favorite part of the house. In these photos, you can see the kitchen windows on the left and the family room windows with sliding glass doors in the center.

Let's move upstairs! The loft at the top of the stairs now has a door that will lead onto the porch. The original window was pushed out and replaced with a slightly smaller one next to the door.

In the Master Bedroom, a new large sliding glass door with side windows were installed to lead on to the back porch. This window/door unit replaced a small sliding glass door that was located next to a jagged white quartz chimney. Can you imagine waking up to the soft morning light rising from the East and walking out on your porch? Or in the late evening, enjoying the view of the Strip glowing in the distance? This room is going to be wonderful!

In the front of the house, we had removed the delapitated balcony and the sun-beaten door. A new Romeo-Juliet balcony is planned for the front with a romantic French door.

The house may still look very rough and uninhabitable but at least it has new windows and doors!