Modern kitchen with white cabinets, wooden accents, stainless steel appliances, and hexagonal tile backsplash.

Casita Blanca Remodel

Architect: Celeste Lewis Architecture
Photographer: Sally Painter

  • Renovating for both current and future living needs was part and parcel for architect, client, and frequent Owen Gabbert, LLC collaborator, Celeste Lewis. The remodel of her SW Portland home needed to be simple, yet functional, and, as someone who is environmentally conscious, make use of recycled materials. The project scope included a bump out to accommodate the addition of a bath and a larger master bedroom, as well as a new kitchen.

    Aging in place is not a design element that all home remodelers consider, but for Lewis this was a driving force. When adapting designs for aging in place, special considerations must be made to ensure long term usability of the building, even when the occupant begins to have physical limitations. Minimizing floor transitions and accessibility were key for this project—as were decisions on finishes based on plans to remain in the home. It’s another instance where Owen Gabbert, LLC was not only a construction partner, but also served as a trusted consultant to help make informed financial decisions during the design process, helping to manage the long-term spend for the client.

    Having the owner as a designer can be a double-edged sword, as decision fatigue and the inherent emotions involved when remodeling cannot be alleviated by a third party, but the dual role was instrumental in this project’s success. Balancing her interest in all aspects of the project, Lewis played the two roles well, making decisions quickly to keep the project moving. A master recycler, she upcycled many finishes, including the cabinet knobs. Onsite, she helped ensure that cardboard, lightbulbs, and batteries were properly sorted and recycled.

    It’s a case study of regeneration from all angles. With Casita Blanca, Owen Gabbert, LLC successfully completed another project with a repeat customer (having previously converted the basement into an ADU), thoughtfully repurposed and recycled materials, and best of all, breathed new life into the home.

Single-story yellow house with blue trim and a garden in the front featuring sunflowers and various plants, set against a clear blue sky.
Single-story yellow house with blue trim and two-car garage, surrounded by daisies and shrubs, under a clear blue sky.
Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a tiled backsplash, and pendant lighting.
Modern kitchen and dining area with white cabinetry, wood flooring, a round dining table with chairs, pendant lighting, and large windows showing outdoor greenery.
Modern living room with light wooden flooring, featuring a gray sofa, armchair, and a small wooden table with a vase. The walls are adorned with abstract paintings, and large windows offer a view of greenery outside. A wooden sideboard holds decorati
Mid-century modern living room with gray sofa, wooden coffee table, red chair, TV on console, bookshelves, and wall art.
Indoor hallway with a turquoise door, framed artworks on walls, window with hedge view, wooden bench, and stairs with wooden railing.
Modern bathroom with a floating white vanity cabinet, wall-mounted sink, large mirror, and a vase of flowers. There's a towel on a rod, a blue glass vase on the window ledge, and framed art on the walls.
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