From scratch

Everyone has a wish list when buying a home, but it's usually impossible to get everything you're after one or two items always end up being sacrificed. Buying a home off a plan is one way to get as close as possible to what you want, as it allows you to make decisions during the building process.

Interior designer Dee Dee Ackerman, Allied ASID, bought this home before it was built, and there were plenty of features that appealed.

"I liked the expansive views over Sacramento Valley, the floor plan was perfect, and it was in a very good area," she says.

She decided she wanted to do all the interior decorating herself, but building regulations stated that the home must be sold in a livable state. This meant Ackerman was unable to buy the house without the interior fittings chosen by the builder. So she bought the house with the existing fittings, then ripped them all out and started again. These fittings, including kitchen cabinetry, appliances and even carpets, were donated to Habitat for Humanity, a charitable organization that builds homes for those in need.

The builders did allow Ackerman to have the house without any wall textures, so she was able to bring in her own plasterer to do a textured finish. Carpets were paid for, but she convinced the builders not to install them so they were in pristine condition for Habitat for Humanity. Left with bare cement floors, Ackerman had Brazilian koa hardwood floors installed in the living rooms, and wool carpets in all other areas.

The kitchen was totally redesigned, and walnut cabinetry installed.

"I wanted it to be spectacular, yet I knew it still had to be practical," she says.

She didn't want a completely stainless steel kitchen, so she bought a refrigerator without any panels and had doors made in walnut, with a crescent-shaped stainless steel handle to add a contemporary finish.

The staircase was also extensively remodeled. Ackerman didn't want it to look too traditional in a contemporary environment. To achieve this look the oak banister was kept, but she replaced the traditional wooden pickets with stainless steel rods.

For more information, contact DL Ackerman Design Group, 3054 Sunrise Blvd, Suite G, Rancho Cordova, CA, phone (916) 852 7113, fax (916) 852 6252. Email: dladesign@yahoo.com. Website: www.ackermandesigngroup.com.

Story by: Trendsideas