Berkeley, California
2014 National CotY Award Winner, Entire House ($500,001-$1,000,000)
This 2,040-square-foot apartment, built in 1968, required a complete renovation because of asbestos coating the ceiling and barely functioning baseboard heaters and other utilities. Changes in the building code required McCutcheon Construction to replace the wood-burning fireplace with a gas insert, surrounded by a new curved wall covered with grass cloth wallpaper, an element that is repeated on many of the walls of the new apartment. The remodeled dining room and kitchen has high ceilings and a 3-D tile backsplash that brings to mind water and waves.