It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint and a little attention can do to change your perspective.

They say a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into.  The bigger the boat, the bigger the hole.  The same could be said for beach houses.  Nothing seems to be able to with stand the sun and the salt air.

A funny thing happened on the way to the forum.  I was called into bid on a foundation for a double wide and ended up designing a 2500 square foot visitor’s center.  Strange, but true.

Classic and comfortable, this Spanish compound oozes the allure of planet Montecito.

One of the challenges in design is to get the space to reflect the environment

Everyone dreams of a client with limitless imagination and the courage of their convictions.  I am blessed with two such clients who, as it happens, are married to one another.  They are the meeting of the irresistible force and the immovable object.  And when we do a project it is a very creative friction that yields magic.

Most recently we brought new life to an old kitchen and the results were nothing short of spectacular.

The cabinets are blond maple in a Shaker flat panel.  The cornice is natural cherry that gives a subtle two tone.  The counters are deep blue granite.  The fixtures and appliances are stainless steel.  We reworked the existing indoor charcoal barbecue into a Viking gas unit.  We added a garden window at the sink that brings in light and opens up the view.  The floors are cork which are not only beautiful, but softer on the feet and knees and warm to the touch year round.

A common misconception is that the self employed can take time off when ever they want.  This is , in theory, true.  However, the gainfully self employed designer/builder is a workaholic.  Construction is a “chicken one day, feathers the next” business, where the craftsman is forever working himself out of a job. The catch twenty-two of the building racket is when you have the time to take a vacation you don’t have the money and when you have the money you can’t take the time.

On rare occasions (births, deaths, and betrothals) we are forced to take a much needed break.  Most of my clients here in Ojai and through out Ventura and Santa Barbara county are convinced I never take a day off.  I submit the following sighting of me doing something other than work.

Here’s a quick look at the new house in Ojai Valley, designed and built by JM Johnston Construction.

Click on any image to enlarge