RENOVATION

Cho residence — Overview

  • 5738 Canterbury Drive, Culver City, CA 90230
  • Two-floor townhome built in mid '80s, approximately 1200 sq. ft. on concrete slab (plans probably not available)
  • Roughly 500 sq. ft. of floor downstairs; 650 sq. ft. of floor upstairs
  • Stairs: one wide step to garage (39" width); five steps to landing plus eight additional steps to second floor (34" width)
  • Two bedrooms and two full baths upstairs and half bath downstairs
  • High ceilings in most areas other than kitchen and bathrooms
  • Central air
  • Two shared walls with neighbors
  • Attached garage and small patio

Tentative punchlist

[Last updated July 15, 2021, 5:00 PM] [Last updated May 11, 2023, 3:00 PM]
1st PRIORITY
  • Kitchen:
    — Remove old appliances (except small fridge that will go into garage)
    — Demo old cabinets and replace with all new (prefer smooth, slab style vs. Shaker)
    — Create and install new counter, backsplash
    — Install new appliances (fridge/stove/dishwasher/hood)
    — Install under-mount sink and new faucet and water filter setup
    — Possibly cut-back two wall segments for better sight-lines and spaciousness (scroll down to see samples of how our neighbor did it). 
  • Floors:
    — Exposed slab needs to be cleaned and prepped
    — Downstairs: Oak engineered wide-plank (except kitchen)
    — Kitchen: Wide, gray tile
    — Stairs and upstairs: Either pile carpet or same oak engineered wood as downstairs (bathrooms will have same wide, gray tile as kitchen)
    — Want a thin, metallic strip separating flooring materials in areas where they met (i.e. hallway and kitchen—see examples on Pinterest)
  • Half bath (downstairs):
    — New everything (toilet, sink, vanity, exhaust fan)
  • TV and fireplace: 
    — Remove existing tile surface and mantel
    — Build/install simple new mantel
    — Install TV above fireplace using provided hardware
  • Window coverings: 
    — Top-down, bottom-up blinds for all windows; need blackout in bedrooms
  • Porch light:
    — Light fixture needs to be removed and replaced with new one

2nd PRIORITY
  • Guest bath (upstairs):
    — Demo old everything including floor tiles and replace tub, toilet, vanity, mirror, exhaust vent/fan (need ample storage), and floor
    — Remove old door and replace with frosted glass panel inset
  • Master bath (upstairs):
    — Demo old everything (tub, toilet, vanity, mirror) including floor out to vanity/dressing area
    — Install new toilet, vanity and mirror and floor
    — Replace tub with walk-in shower
    — Install new vent

​GENERAL
  • Construction: 
    — Need demo and removal to be included for all work (do not use trash dumpsters for residents)
    — May need assistance moving some furniture/appliances and covering exposed surfaces
    — Need somebody who can provide engineering/plans and pull permits as needed
    — Team needs to be insured and licensed
  • Electrical: 
    — Check/fix the quality of existing work
    — Install new light switch w/dimmer in kitchen
    — Replace vent/fan in upstairs bath
    — Replace atrium switches with two dimmers
    ​— Pull wires for power above fireplace for TV
    — Might need more power in kitchen for additional counter-top appliances like air fryer, etc.
    — Install hanging light (George Nelson) in stairwell
    — Install three pendant lights (or comparable track light) in dining area
    — Install two ceiling fans upstairs (replace one and install one new one that needs power)
    — Install smoke/Co2 detector second floor landing
  • Plumbing: 
    — Check the condition of existing pipes and drains — may need to replace damaged or worn parts
    — Remove old spigot on outside, front fixture and install new (with cutoff switch)
  • Painting: 
    — Smooth, skim coat over existing knock-down finish
    — C    eilings and walls need to be painted one color
    — We will identify one wall to be painted in an accent color
  • Miscellaneous: 
    — Install gate lock on patio door
    — Replace/fix lock on metal door to garage
    — Adjust front door so it doesn't rub

​NICE TO HAVE
  • Railings: 
    ​— Remove existing and replace with glass. (Whatever we use for hand rail should continue on wall next to stairs to second floor.)

Inspiration and mood board

Overall, we are looking for clean, simple lines — mid-century modern vibes.
Contemporary — don't want fussy details.

BATHROOM

LIVING ROOM

KITCHEN

PATIO

WINDOWS

https://modernshadexpress.com/msx-bottom-ups.html

Townhome — visual reference

The good. The bad. And — well — the ugly!
Downstairs (floor 1 of 2)
Kitchen measurements are approximate — for planning and to understand the space only. Kitchen is small — roughly 10'x8'. Needs new cabinets, floor and appliances. ​
Picture
Combined plan view and elevations, "hinged" along each of the four baseboards.
Picture
Downstairs plan view (not to scale)
Picture
Upstairs plan view (not to scale)
Upstairs (floor 2 of 2)

Basic measurements and reference

WINDOWS

Master bedroom window (1 unit)
68 3/4" w at bottom
68 3/8" w at top
46 3/4" h

Nyla's room window (1 unit)
69" w
Left side 46 3/4" h
Rt side 47 1/4” h

Downstairs windows (3 units)
32.5” w 
59” h 
KITCHEN
84” floor to drop ceiling; 89” floor into soffit

Examples from other units in the complex

We are looking for simple lines, clean and modern. Partial to mid-century modern and contemporary — don't want fussy details. Kitchen needs to be highly functional, especially the dead corners.