Blake Stranz is a carpenter, woodworker, photographer, magazine editor, freelance writer and marketing communications professional. He has been in the residential building industry since childhood, often accompanying his general contractor grandfather to job sites in the summer. He has worked for American How-To, Snow Goer, ATV Magazine, Powersports Business and others in the home improvement and powersports industries.

This is the third home Blake and his wife have renovated. The first was a 1929 Bungalow in Southwest Minneapolis. The second was a 1935 Art Deco Craftsman in Knoxville, Tennessee. Our third house, in Indianapolis, was new construction and needed little more than paint and decor.

The current home, in Redondo Beach, California. Was built in 1959 and it is a basic cottage style with a Spanish style. We are trying to shift it toward a contemporary beach bungalow to better match our style.