The curved windows set the direction
This custom contemporary home on Pelican Loop, built in 2004, stands out in Bodega Harbour with its curved, west-facing facade and expansive wood-framed windows that frame panoramic ocean views from the living room. The 8,141-square-foot lot slopes gently toward the Pacific, and the house’s two-level structure, main and lower, sits above Rohnerville loam with moderately well-drained soil and up to 40% clay content, according to the local soil survey. The curved window wall in the living room is the architectural anchor, drawing light and the landscape deep into the interior. I see the project for this family beginning with the way the house meets its site: the auto-sprinklered garden and dense native shrubs buffer the lower level from wind and salt, while the paved driveway and attached, front-facing garage set up a practical arrival zone.
The garage entry is the logical place for a landing area, with closed storage and a bench to keep sand and gear from tracking across the Santos mahogany floors. The enclosed deck, accessible from the living room, already extends the living space outdoors, but I would enhance the connection by refining the deck’s access and maintaining the existing wood window framing. The climate here, Title 24 zone 1, with direct sun and marine moisture, means the exterior materials and finishes, especially the wood siding and composition roof, need to remain resilient and low-maintenance. The home’s construction, with no basement and two stories, sits within the FEMA flood zone D and has an 80%+ chance of flood exposure in the next 30 years, so any exterior work should avoid altering the grade or drainage patterns around the foundation.
Kitchen, island, and the open plan
The kitchen, dining, and living rooms are unified by an open concept plan that maximizes the west-facing sightlines. The kitchen sits slightly above the dining area, with a large granite-topped island that houses the gas cooktop. The existing maple cabinetry and slab counters are in good condition, and the kitchen’s 220-volt service, built-in appliances, and gas water heater provide a solid infrastructure. I would retain the island’s central placement but update its surface with a lighter, honed stone that relates to the granite already present, keeping the kitchen visually calm and connected to the adjacent rooms.
Since the cooktop is on the island, the exhaust hood must be planned for direct venting outdoors. The mechanical contractor should confirm the route and assess makeup air requirements, as the kitchen’s open plan and radiant floor heating will affect airflow. The public sewer line makes it sensible to keep the sink and dishwasher in their current locations, minimizing disruption to the stone and wood finishes. The kitchen’s windows, which overlook both the gardens and the ocean, bring in strong natural light, so I would add motorized sunscreens for glare control, especially in the afternoon.
Two levels, sun, and living with radiant heat
The two-story layout, with main-level living spaces and lower-level bedrooms, gives every major room a view or garden access. The radiant heating under the kitchen and bathrooms, combined with central heating and two gas fireplaces, keeps the house comfortable without mechanical cooling. The absence of air conditioning is typical for this part of Bodega Bay, where only seven days above 75° are expected this year. Still, the large, west-facing windows mean late-day sun can heat the living room and dining area quickly. Motorized window coverings or exterior sunscreens on the curved glass would allow the family to manage glare and protect the Santos mahogany floors and built-in wood shelving from UV exposure.
The living room’s double-sided, gas-piped fireplace and cathedral ceiling make it a natural gathering spot. I would supplement the black leather sofas with softer, fabric-upholstered seating and layer in area rugs to define the conversation zone and absorb sound. The dining room, with its dark wood table and pendant lighting, sits in the sightline between kitchen and living room. Focused art lighting at the built-in shelves and dimmable fixtures over the table will make the space flexible for both meals and homework. The enclosed deck, accessed from the living room, should remain a sheltered outdoor extension, with its enclosure and window framing preserved to withstand coastal winds.
Working with the structure and the ground
The home’s composition roof, two-level construction, and public utilities, including propane, cable, and internet, set clear boundaries for any remodel. The absence of a basement and the presence of a double-strapped water heater, panic alarm, and smoke detectors reflect the local building standards and the climate risks mapped for this site. The lot’s moderate CAL FIRE hazard rating and the hydrologic group C soils mean that any changes to the garden or hardscape should prioritize drainage and root stability, especially near the foundation and the auto-sprinklered beds.
Any updates to the kitchen or living spaces should protect the existing finishes, especially the Santos mahogany floors and the curved wood-framed windows. The project plan for this family keeps the architectural features that define the house, curved glazing, open plan, and garden connections, while refining how the home meets its lot and the climate of Bodega Bay. If your home sits on a coastal slope with a view like this and you want a remodel plan rooted in your site, your rooms, and your family’s daily life, I would love to talk.