A Carpenter Turns a Sagging Portland Bungalow Into a Sustainable Family Home, Now Listed at $575K

Shored up with salvaged materials and eco-friendly updates, this woodworker’s home won’t stay on the market for long.

A Carpenter Turns a Sagging Portland Bungalow Into a Sustainable Family Home, Now Listed at $575K

Shored up with salvaged materials and eco-friendly updates, this woodworker’s retreat won’t stay on the market for long.

Low maintenance landscaping

One man’s trash, as they say, is another man’s treasure. When Sam Omeechevarria, a woodworker and carpenter, came upon this 1909 bungalow in Portland, Oregon, it was in poor condition, forgotten after the developer, Damir Karin, split the lot and constructed a house next door. Truthfully, Sam wasn’t even really drawn to it as much as the fact that the owner would finance it at a fair price.

Omeechevarria was happy to find cedar shake after removing the vinyl siding.

Carpenter Sam Omeechevarria bought this 1909 bungalow near Portland, Oregon’s Pier Park at a fair price because the developer had broken up the lot and built on the other section. It was covered up in vinyl siding, under which Sam was thrilled to discover cedar shake.

Photo: Jeff Amram

It all began when Sam met a real estate developer through an ad on Craigslist—"a colorful character named Dan with stories for days." While Dan was his complete opposite, he liked him, and it seemed that on every other block they passed, he either owned or had owned a property. Sam had recently let his contractor’s license lapse as he focused on creative carpentry projects and launched Western Gold Timber Co. Since he knew he wouldn’t qualify for financing, he relied on Dan, who wound up convincing his partner to sell Sam this house.

A tall peekaboo fence is accented with torii gates and window openings.

A peekaboo fence is accented with a torii-inspired gate.

Photo by Jeff Amram

A private play area in the front courtyard is a dream for kids.

A private play area in the front courtyard is a dream for kids.

Photo by Jeff Amram

See the full story on Dwell.com: A Carpenter Turns a Sagging Portland Bungalow Into a Sustainable Family Home, Now Listed at $575K