Final Comments -- (maybe)

The construction phase of Casa Montana Alegre is more or less over. Except for the yard, stuff remaining to do revoles around the houses's service systems and correcting what is already in place. I've started tackling the grounds and landscaping but can see that, like a house, it will never be complete. Houses evolve.

This photo may be the signature image of Montana Alegre.

Over a Saturday and Sunday last week-end, I hired two guys to help me lay out a possible yard design. They moved over 400 concrete pavers up 30 steps and into the yard. I've done a lot of thinking about this yard even though most of the plantings were chosen on the availability of plants during three trips to the nursery last August and September. I have a landscape plan but decided to do my own plan, starting with the pavers and existing plants. The pavers have made a big difference.

I work for the City of Los Angeles as a planner in the City's Construction Service Center. As far as I know I'm the only person, in my 17 years there, who has ever done their own house: design, entitlements, permits, financing, and construction. People ask me what I thought of the experience.

Don't do it yourself, hire someone who knows the system.

It is it an incredible amount of work to build one's own home and quite complex to get through the approval processes. Designing was fun but plan check nerve-wracking; organizing plan correction details was overwhelming as well as getting sign-offs from other City departments for the building permit. Financing was okay even though I hit it just as the mortage industry was imploding. These comments are from someone who worked in the system but I also think it was worse because it was my own home.

I am going to carve the Casa's name on this rectangle of raised stucco. I haven't worked out the details but I know I prefer something very simple, almost imperceptible. Perhaps when this is done I will feel the house is finished.

One final comment about creating something that is entirely of one's own imagination. I asked advice from everyone but I made all the site planning, architectural, and interior finish decicions--everything--so if it didn't turn out well the responsibility was squarely on my shoulders. I was a little nervous about that. However, I needn't have been. There are a few things I would change, and I made a few changes during construction, but overall I am quite pleased with the result.

I Have Moved In!!!

A week before Thanksgiving I finally moved into the Casa. This is the moment that defines the project. It's been 17 months since construction began and from when I first started this blog. But its also been 10 years to the month when I first purchased the land.

In this photo of the master bedroom I was trying to get a good picture that shows the double-sided fireplace that is open between the bedroom and den. It's part of a second floor suite I designed to separate me from all the activity (3 bedrooms) downstairs.

This is the balcony that spans the second floor master suite. Its got views to the northeast and southwest. This is the northeast view.

This master bath that has a water pressure issue. I wonder how Mateo is going to fix that.

Two views of the stairway leading to the master suite. The chandelier was a gift from Miguel Juan.

A lit kitchen.

Views to the northeast.

Views to the southwest (actually the camera is pointed to the southeast but this side of the house is oriented to the south west).

Not Yet Moved In

What a month since I last posted. I received a Certificate of Occupancy and the okay to connect and turn on the electricity. But wait.

On June 9 of this year my construction loan became due. Since then I'm paying $2700 a month interest. After watching rates and checking out a myriad of permanent loan packages, I choose one and the loan was scheduled to close last week. At the last minute the lender wanted the new pool plastered and filled. I originally thought the pool, and the solar electrical system, could wait till I had more time and money. However now I needed to get the pool finished and in order to plaster and fill it I needed electricty to drive the motor that cleans it . . . This is the short version and I don't want to bore readers with it.

Let me focus on how well things are turning out. The house may be finished but there are a lot of unfinished details. Most are barely perceptible and when I think of how far I've come and that everything single decision was mine, well, it saves a trip to the therapist.

Mateo figured out a way to get temporary electricity in order to finish the pool and the loan but not enough to move in. Interest rates took a dip this week so I took a financial detour towards a different loan program. Tonight I was told it won't work so tomorrow I'm going back to the original program and hopefully secure permanent financing.

Meanwhile, the pool looks great (although I'm not finished designing the landscaping/hardscape around it.

Introducting 3854 Cazador -- I Can Almost Touch It

This week I believe I got the last sign-off on the Building Department's ACOS system(Automated Certificate of Occupancy System). This Certificate of Occupancy will allow me to turn on electricity, fund my loan, and move in. I may have 17 years experience working alongside the Building Department but this ACOS system is something only inspectors work with and the not the engineers that were around me. The point being, it's another new world to learn, but I'm there. Take a look.

Landscaping, before and after.

The exterior wall sconces went in--a custom fabricated piece of sheet metal that cover 5 dollar light fixtures--and they work well.

I also bought furniture and had it delivered, better for the loan's appraisal.

Swales (or Swalls?), Electricity, and Landscaping

One of the major items for final permit sign-off was the grading permit. We got it last week but in order to do so the inspector asked that swales (or is it swalls) be constructed to run water off into the drain/street. Here Rene and Santos are preparing the dirt for a concrete swall (or is it swale?).

Here it's finished. At the far end of the picture is the drain it leads to which runs in the ground out to the street. It had to be built so that it slopes toward the drain.

Another swale (or is it swall?) had to be created along this downslope wall for the entry courtyard.

Last week Rafael tested the electrical system and I saw for the first time the house lit up! The fan also worked but no one can find the remote control for it which is kind of strange because there are five of these fans throughout the house. How can five be lost?

This hallway lamp, a gift from a friend who wishes to remain nameless, was hung and tested. It comes in a zillion pieces and had to be assembled. Assembler Mike did it on site but as you can see, it hangs off-skelter. Mike has to create a new part for it to fix that.

The kitchen backsplash shines brightly in the lights.

I have twelve of these outdoor sconces. I scoured everyplace I knew and didn't like any (especially the prices) so we decided to put these cheap four dollar ones in the interim to pass inspection.

The plan is to have gutter guy Claudio create a simple silver metal cover like the one modeled below using a manila folder.

After making my second trip to a landscape wholesaler last week I'm designing on-the-fly how the landscaping. For the area in the crack next to the pool there will be black stones to match the pool tile. In the foreground there will be a green hedge and thin reedy flowering plant that creates a border (sample shown in the following picture).

I like the contrast between the two plants. I'm not going to have the flowering border, instead if there is room I want a red Wandering Jew, which will also match a red Plum (?) tree nearby.

I need the landscaping for the final Certificate of Occupancy because of local zoning. I have a landscape plan but I'm modifying it. As long as I have six "significant trees" at least eight feet I'll be fine. I've given landscaping a lot of thought and am heading toward more hardscape.
The following pictures illustrate areas next to the house where I wanted to break up the concrete with landscaping. However Mateo has warned me against putting too much watering next to the foundation so unless the landscaping can be seen from inside the house I'll go with stones.

The long stip below will be stones, not sure about the color, however the larger area will be planted.

This area right up against the house can be seen from the living room so except for the thin strip I will landscape fully in order to enhance the interior view.

This is the other side of the room, the pool side, where landscaping can be seen from the inside, so again, except for the narrower strip, I will landscape fully.