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Atrium
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Dining Area
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Master Bedroom
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When we first looked at Eichler homes in the area in the spring of 2001, we were actually not very impressed. From talking with realtors we were left with the impression that Eichler homes were considered to be lower value than "regular" homes, and the first ones we looked at in Palo Alto rather confirmed that perception - they were small, mostly not in very good shape, and we did not like the "darkish" ambiance of the mahogany wood paneling we saw in several homes. It all changed, however, when we first saw the house that has now has become our home. We were immediately impressed by the openness, the spaciousness, and the refreshing difference in architecture and style - love at first sight. When we bought the home we actually knew very little about Eichler homes, but a search on the web quickly led us to a lot of valuable information and inspiration to start thinking about how to approach a remodel of the house. When we purchased the house it was in a fairly good state of repair. The previous owners had taken good care of the house, and the home inspection did not reveal any major issues other than limited termite infestation. The things to watch out for in an Eichler, such as the roof, radiant heating system, and windows, all were in good order. Some of the original mahogany paneling was preserved, mainly in the living room area, the hallways and a bedroom used as office. In the other rooms, the paneling had been either been painted over or covered with wall paper. The original kitchen had been replaced, probably in the mid-eighties with oak cabinetry and beige Formica countertops. Likewise, all bathroom and laundry cabinetry was oak, and not in very good shape. Floor coverings were a combination of tiles, carpet, linoleum of varied age. Other elements, such as light fixtures, added to a very 'mixed-bag' appearance of the house overall. |
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Family Room
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Living Room
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Office
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Copyright 2003,2005 Raoul & Bärbel Schuhmacher |
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