Remodeling the California Ranch

The California Ranch home style often referred to as a "rambler" was designed for people who wanted to celebrate the outdoors and wanted to relax at home.

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For the past few weeks we have been discussing home styles in our column. Last we talked about the challenges and solutions in remodeling the Cape Cod-style house. This week we are focusing on another favorite house style from the opposite coast: the California Ranch.

This home style often referred to as a "rambler" evolved in California in the 1920s and '30s with roots in Spanish colonial architecture. It is a truly domestic style that originated in the United States. One of the pioneers was Cliff May, who designed for people who wanted to celebrate the fabulous climate of southern California and who wanted to relax when at home. Minimizing the distinction between indoors and out is the basis for much of this style.

The California Ranch is a one-story house typically rectangular or L-shaped. Because the style originated in the wide-open spaces of the West, land was cheap and plentiful so the house could spread out over the lot. The massing (shape) is long and low to the ground. The exterior is typically asymmetrical with a strong horizontal element. It typically features lots of glass, including floor-to-ceiling, strip, or ribbon windows which serve to connect almost every room to the outside. Other features include a low but visible chimney, a very visible garage, a recessed entry door with flanking sidelight, and a low-pitched roof with projecting eaves.

Inside, you'll find an open, free-flowing floor plan. The rambler interior typically includes a simple room arrangement, minimal trim and floor-to-ceiling views of the backyard.

It also commonly has partially enclosed courtyards and patios serving as an extension of the living space.

A term you may hear referring to these ranch or rambler homes is mid-century modern, and they are now all the rage. If you have one of these American originals in need of remodeling, we recommend capitalizing on its simple features and clean design. While the essential details are typically not ornamental, they do not need to be boring, either. Today, we have a variety of materials to choose from, such as metals or engineered woods, to add flair not decoration to the exterior of your rambler. New membrane roofing material is a positive upgrade to these low-sloped roofs as a replacement for the original tar and gravel roofing. The original single-pane windows are another replacement target to improve the energy efficiency of these homes. New windows should be chosen carefully to reflect the more modern style of a ranch home.

We also recommend embracing the indoor/outdoor elements unique to this design. We live in an area famed for its amazing outdoor views and activities, and this home style allows you to connect to them every day.

Originally posted here:
Remodeling the California Ranch