Adam Christian and John Volturo had just six weeks to remodel a makeshift home into their dream home. The reason for the tight deadline? The couple was expecting twins. To help them make room for babies in record time, they called in home remodeling expert Laurie March.
The Pacific Palisades, California home, built in 1949, was within walking distance of restaurants, grocery stores, and state parks. The mid-century modern house had two bedrooms and two bathrooms crammed into an inexpensive 928 square feet. The property also had a private patio and a large guest house, making it ideal for the family life the couple was about to begin. Affordability was also an issue. "Basically, we chose the smallest house that needed the most TLC," Christian said when explaining his purchase. 
From:Laurie March
Adam Christian and John Volturo sit in their newly renovated outdoor space with their twin daughters, Michaela and Julia.
At the top of your to-do list:convert one of the small bedrooms in the house into a nursery. The room had an existing closet but it was a reach style that didn't have enough space for two babies' belongings. So Laurie's team demolished the old closet and replaced it with adjustable shelves and bars behind white tile doors, an open bookcase and deep drawers. He also installed recessed lighting in the ceiling so the lamps wouldn't take up precious floor space.
To give the nursery a fresh, modern feel, Adam and John selected a white and aqua color scheme, with an embossed diamond pattern on an accent wall. They replaced the old windows with new ones that were in condition to trip the security codes and repaired the damaged flooring.
From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March Next, Laurie's team moved into the master bedroom. They also demolished the closet in this room, replacing doors and hardware, and knocking down the wall between the master bedroom and the hall bathroom to create an en-suite bathroom. Pocket doors that slid into the bedroom walls maximized the bedroom's floor space.
Then, he went to the new master bathroom. To keep them on time, Laurie had Adam and John choose materials that were in stock and didn't have to be special ordered. Updates included a new gray-stained floating vanity, white acrylic countertops, square porcelain sinks, and chrome single-lever faucets.
Gray wood medicine cabinets provided much-needed storage. Polished chrome shower fixtures put a sparkle in the tub, and its handheld showerhead makes it easy for Adam and John to bathe their babies.
To stay within budget, Adam and John kept the existing bathtub, and March had it sandblasted and resurfaced. Large tiles in a light gray stripe made the shower feel sleek, warm, and modern without obscuring the space. Laurie's team cut a horizontal niche in the shower wall for baby toys, shampoos, and scrub brushes.
From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March From:Laurie March For the bathroom floor, Adam and John opted for a darker gray tile and matching gray grout for perfect spa-like subtlety.
To maintain the modern vibe of the bathroom, Laurie's team used metal trim on the tile edges instead of rounded tiles. So the shower walls, alcove and vanity backsplash have brushed chrome trim. The restroom walls were painted with crisp, white, low VOC paint. Ceiling shower curtains complete the spa look.
Laurie didn't just help John and Adam with aesthetic choices. She also kept her construction project running on time and on budget. Laurie hired a contractor who would work on a project rate instead of an hourly rate.
"You have to set up your team to be time motivated if you're going to get a quick build schedule," says Laurie. "Putting each of these items on a project rate encourages a contractor to work quickly and budget her time well."
From:Laurie March 
From:Laurie March In addition to redoing the two bedrooms and bathroom, John and Adam also added an outside door to the master bedroom so they could walk right out to the backyard. They updated the light fixtures inside and out, planted a hedge to provide privacy for their fenced-in backyard, and tore down a concrete pad in the backyard so they could create a grassy spot for their dog, Lincoln, to enjoy.
The remodeling was done a week before the girls Michaela and Julia arrived at their new home. Mission accomplished.
