Help me help my sis with the 1952 Eichler in Palo Alto...

15 years ago

I almost have sis convinced that she should keep her Eichler original cabinets. Unfortunately, the PO's relaminated them (in the 1970's, by the looks of things.) Any suggestions as to how sis finds a place that can strip the current laminate and put on something different?

This is what we are working with...

Most of the companies I've been able to locate (via the internet) are companies that specialize in "refacing." Is that what we are looking for? I am in NC...she is in Palo Alto (Barron Park, to be exact) and has three little boys, so not a lot of spare time... so I'm trying to do as much of the legwork for her as possible.

Any help would be appreciated!

melanie

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Comments (16)

ella_socal
15 years ago
I'll probably have more info for you in a few months as I'm buying a new home in Menlo Park and planning on re-staining the cabinets. I think you're looking for someone who will refinish them. Refacing, from what I understand, involves replacing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts completely. Try googling Freeman Finishing (located in Gilroy). I'm going to have them come over when I move in and see what they can do, but they sound promising.
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jeng
15 years ago
Slightly off topic, but if she's looking to replace her cabinets, Eichler's great grandson is in the kitchen design business (we're buying our cabinets from him). His showroom is on Santa Cruz Avenue, in Menlo Park (Eicher Designs Kitchens and Bath).
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nomorebluekitchen
15 years ago
I can't help but I'm a fan of Eichler homes and I hope she has good luck finding someone to restore those.

It looks awesome!

Anita
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remodelfla
15 years ago
I'm certain my thought process is no where as helpful as jeng or ella but what do the backs of the cabs look like? If the original cabs were just refaced with laminate; could it be possible that the laminate was just adhered to the original cab doors and the laminate could be removed exposing the originals? I'm thinking that if they did just cover the original doors with laminate that the backs would not have been done as well. Again... I may be and probably am way off base but I thought I'd throw it out there. Good luck. The other 2 posters had great ideas.
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mjsee
Original Author
15 years ago
The interiors are light Eichler gray. I'm only guessing that the PO's resurfaced...because that walnut-look stuff is NOT period.

Great suggestions...I'll forward the info on. I knew y'all wouldn't let me down!

melanie
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modernhouse
15 years ago
A great resource is the eichlernetwork.com. They have forums and recommended service companies that people have used on their eichlers.

Here is a link that might be useful: www.eichlernetwork.com
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growlery
15 years ago
Do what modernhouse says.

They will truly understand what you/she are trying to do.

The house is more valuable restored to its original condition.

If it starts looking like a very expensive proposition, better to let it wait than to do it badly.

Eichler is SOOOO cool!

Good luck!
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mjsee
Original Author
15 years ago
I've pulled a few names from the Eichler board...when it's "Opening Time" in Cali I'll make some phone calls. I may join that board and post as well.

If anyone has actual experience in the Palo/SF market...I'd love some specific suggestions.

melanie
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revans1
15 years ago
I can only add that I hope that you're successful in talking her into keeping them. What a shame it would be to lose them now.
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Buehl
15 years ago
I've never heard of an "Eichler home"...what makes them so special?
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sarschlos_remodeler
15 years ago
Buehl, Joseph Eichler was an iconic architect on the West Coast during the 1950s/1960s. His homes are known for their indoor-outdoor relationships, large open-format rooms, and are identifiable by their flat roofs (which often leak), great expanses of large pane windows and sliding doors, transom windows, and atriums. Dividing walls in Eichlers are usually not load bearing because of the way in which Eichler designed the roof, so that rooms can be shifted around quite easily, and interior spaces redesigned.

If you google Eichler, you will find all sorts of websites. Here is a link to just one of them.
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sarschlos_remodeler
15 years ago
Forgot to include the link. Here it is:

Here is a link that might be useful: Eichler house
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chinchette
15 years ago
I've seen some pretty tacky cabinets in Eichler's. At the one I am thinking of in Palo Alto, they were made out of peg board that slid back and forth. I thought that they were original. I don't think all of the Eichler's had the same quality. I do love that style of house, but if the cabinets are tacky, I wouldn't be attached to them. I would get an upgraded cabinet in a modern style to go with the home. Same style concept, with modern quality and full extension drawers.

We had a home in Northern CA that was not an Eichler but was the same style- with the flat roof, and the sliding glass windows in the back. We loved it, besides the problems of a nearly flat roof, poor insulation and inefficient A/C. I love the atriums that some of the homes have.
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mjsee
Original Author
15 years ago
The cabinets are well made...if old and covered in that hideous faux walnut laminate. Sis's Eichler is an early one...no atrium. They are in the process of replacing windows and the roof is on the agenda...

Along with AC.
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kateskouros
15 years ago
i think "refacing" is what happened to them in the '70s.
what you want is someone to RESTORE. be careful. you're not going to find what you're looking for at kitchens 'r us.
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mjsee
Original Author
15 years ago
I know she won't find what she wants at Kitchens R Us...but I think I've found a few places that may be able to help. Monday I'll start making phone calls...if I'm not working the afternoon shift. The time zone difference is messing me up...
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Help me help my sis with the 1952 Eichler in Palo Alto...

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