Updated Eichler for the New Millenium

Located in the Fairhaven Tract in Orange

760 Oakwood St., Orange

Editor's Note:
Craig is the Creative Director for an in-house agency, and Barry is the Dean of Fine Arts and Communication at a Community College. Together, they're making their Eichler just what they want it to be.  Here's their story:

"We bought our Eichler in June of 1997. We knew we wanted an Eichler and we knew we wanted the Fairhaven tract. It just felt right. It still does. The neighbors make this the best neighborhood we have ever lived in.

Our renovation started with a new membrane roof. We know about leaky Eichlers! It's made by a company that used to manufacture swimming pool liners, so the roof should hold water. It's a bright white to reflect heat, too. We could have added insulation, but we were told that with all the glass, the cost of insulating the roof would not really pay off.

Next came the addition of the pool/spa/waterfalls and the patios and walkways. Boy, was the difference huge! The lap pool looks like a fountain when no one is in it, and it is perfect for our needs. The back wall has two waterfalls that provide soothing sounds and water movement.

The next step involved adding the triple sliding door to the dining room. It was a solid wall when we bought the house. Originally, the back of the house was glass, so there was not need for a side slider. But, when the previous owner added the back room and eliminated the glass, it made the dining room cry out for a sliding door to the side yard. You can see how much it added, and at very small cost."

Continued on next page

Carport and entry into home through atrium. Rustic pavers are the flooring for the open air atrium.

Looking into the family room and living room through the walls of glass and glass sliders.

Light from the atrium bathes the living room.

Living room overlooking atrium gives the feeling of wide openness, a natural flow of space.

Dining room with added slider for views of tranquil patio and grassy side yard.

Den/bonus room with patio and pool views.