Altadena is a jewel of the San Gabriel Valley, distinguished by its winding roads, majestic Deodar cedars, and a treasure trove of architectural history. From the famed “Christmas Tree Lane” to the historic Janes Village, homes here possess a soulfulness that is rare in Southern California. However, owning a piece of history often means contending with 100-year-old infrastructure and layouts designed for a bygone era. At Nobel Builders, we specialize in the delicate art of modernizing these classic homes without erasing the charm that drew you to them in the first place.
Our recent kitchen remodeling project in Altadena serves as a perfect example of this philosophy. The property was a stunning 1920s Craftsman bungalow nestled near the foothills. While the exterior was pristine, the kitchen was a patchwork of 1980s updates, laminate counters and fluorescent lighting, that clashed violently with the home’s original character. Our mission was to strip away the bad renovations and build a kitchen that felt like it had always been there, yet functioned with the precision of a modern culinary workspace.
The primary challenge in Altadena renovations is often balancing preservation with practicality. The homeowners wanted to open up the kitchen to the dining room to take advantage of the mountain views, but they were terrified of destroying the original wainscoting and built-in buffets that defined the dining space.
We approached this with a philosophy of “sensitive alteration.” Instead of a complete open-concept demolition, we widened the doorway significantly but framed it with heavy, tapered columns that matched the original woodwork found on the front porch. This created a visual connection between the cook and the guests while preserving the distinct “rooms” that are hallmarks of Craftsman architecture. It was a renovation that felt more like a restoration, honoring the builder’s original intent while solving the isolation of the old layout.
To achieve a seamless blend of old and new, we immersed ourselves in the Arts & Crafts design language. This style prioritizes natural materials, hand-crafted details, and a connection to nature, principles that are perfectly aligned with the Altadena lifestyle.
We rejected the trend of high-gloss, ultra-modern surfaces which can feel alien in a historic home. Instead, we selected materials that age gracefully. We installed custom quarter-sawn white oak cabinets stained in a rich, warm amber tone. The quarter-sawn technique reveals the beautiful “ray fleck” grain patterns characteristic of fine antique furniture, adding a layer of depth and authenticity to the room.
Renovating in the Altadena foothills requires a specialized focus on seismic safety and historical stewardship. Nobel Builders addressed these unique technical challenges by performing a critical seismic retrofit, bolting unreinforced cripple walls to the foundation and replacing hazardous knob-and-tube wiring with a modern 200-amp electrical system. Navigating the complexities of Los Angeles County Public Works and California Title 24 Energy Standards, we integrated high-efficacy LED lighting and fire-safe infrastructure without compromising the home’s architectural pedigree. By blending modern performance, such as induction cooking, with period-appropriate materials, we transformed this property into a high-value, turnkey asset that honors its Craftsman roots while providing the structural integrity necessary for mountain-side living.
Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation and bridge the gap between historic preservation and modern luxury in your Altadena home.
