ABOUT THE COVER
1508 San Carlos Road
When Jim and Trish Tilley first viewed their most recent remodel candidate in the Country Club area, the potential was evident from the outset and it also fit into what has become their business model.
“We’ve had pretty good luck taking houses that were livable, but dated, and turning them into attractive, modern homes,” Jim said. “We’re trying to create a special house. We want an extraordinary product with quality construction. I want to ensure it is structurally sound and Trish wants it to be beautiful.”
Although Jim has renovated houses off and on for some time, the Tilley’s started renovating full-time four years ago. A former administrator with a non-profit organization, Jim wanted to get back into the housing business.
The couple has redone 16 homes since 2014, and have started their 17th. With a complete makeover, the nearly 2400-square-foot home at 1508 San Carlos SW was transformed into a modern, gleaming, 3253-square-foot showplace with a separate casita/office.
“One of the things that is fun about this one – our realtors ask us to list everything that is new in our remodels – in this house we are going to tell them everything that isn’t new,” Jim said. The home wasn’t gutted, but the overhauls, tasteful additions, and little tweaks turned the home into one for the ages.
“One of the things we are excited about with this house is that there are three living areas,” Jim said.
“It’s kind of cool because it was originally a U-shaped house with a patio in the middle,” Trish added.
The patio was enclosed, creating a massive great room. The new back wall boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with 8-foot lower windows at ground level and transom-style windows above. The sun beams into the room, highlighting the new red-oak hardwood floors that fill the house.
The great room flows into a dining area featuring a five-foot-wide, seethrough gas fireplace. The fireplace can be enjoyed from virtually any of the public areas of the house and serve as a heat source.
The modernized kitchen features a large central island and a 6-burner professional gas range/oven. It is open to the dining room, matching Tilley’s preference for open living areas.
A skylight added needed brightness to the dining space. The island workstation has a dual sink and seating area. Modern, navy-blue cabinets added more storage capacity and sleek gray quartz countertops create a hip look.
Space was created by demolishing the one-car garage and turning it into a two-bay garage. With the renovation, there was enough space for a small mud room, a laundry area and a generous pantry.
Likewise, the old master suite grew an additional 150-square-foot. Frosted doors hide the spacious walk-in closet. Stylish barn doors lead into the master bath with cool-gray porcelain tiles, a glass-enclosed shower and an elegant soaking tub. The cabinets and countertops match the rest of the house.