Ojai – New Construction
It was a happy accident that brought Otis into our lives in 2009. We had decided to build a house at the end of a dirt road that was as off-the-grid as we had ever been. There was zero existing infrastructure on site–no electric service, no sewer, no telephone, no public road and the closest source of water, a well, was a thousand feet downhill from where we wanted to build our home. Those physical challenges were substantial but so were the county regulations and restrictions. On top of the normal building codes, we were facing unique biological easements and fire restrictions, many of which were unfamiliar to the county officials we were dealing with. They had little experience interpreting or enforcing them. In many ways, we were trailblazers for this particular corner of Southern California and Otis was our invaluable guide. He was with us from the start, advocating for innovative construction materials in the design phase and keeping us focused on sustainable, prescient solutions to every problem. Thanks to Otis, we ended up with the house of our dreams in a place we could have ever imagined building. We could never have done it without him. And as an added bonus we also gained a dear family friend.
And now, sixteen years later, when it’s time for us to grow a little, we’ve asked our old friend to partner with us again. It will be another long road—Otis is once again back at the county planning department, helping them understand their own regulations, helping us make the adjustments to our plans that will ensure what we’re building will survive the test of time and the elements. But we know we won’t have to worry. Otis will get us there.
Jennifer and Matthew Rowland
May 2025
Ojai – General Remodel
Rendering from Computer Before
Amost done!
I met Otis as a recommendation from my contractor.
After the first meeting discussing my design wishes, Otis put together a proposal for the
design work and right away produced several variations for me to consider. He also created 3D videos so I could see what the project would look like. This was a significant help for me to visualize the design.
He allowed me to review the design with any requested changes as many times as
needed to obtain my desired result. We had many online meetings, and we reviewed everything together. After we nailed down the final design, Otis put together all the necessary construction documents, including the structural engineer and the energy plans. He then submitted all required documentation to the building department and followed through on everything until we obtained the permit.
Otis provided me with a schedule and the timing for all of this and kept me updated
along the way. Otis followed up and visited my home several times during construction to check on the project. I was out of town for a portion of the project and Otis took pictures and sent them to me to keep me updated. I really appreciated this as I was not able to be there firsthand to check on the progress.
Otis was a pleasure to work with. He was very patient and listened to all my wishes for the remodel. He made some great recommendations and suggestions, The final plan was more than I could have dreamed of. I am extremely happy with how the final project turned out.
I would, without any hesitation, recommend Otis to anyone looking for any design or
architectural work.
Jan Hiester
Ojai California
Pacific Palisades – Remodel
After a successful remodel on our Pacific Palisades home, we decided to look for a new home and again asked Otis to help us.
We purchased a lovely home designed by the renowned Los Angeles architect Gerard Colcord. Built in the 50’s. This home was significantly remodeled in the 80’s by a celebrity owner who again hired Colcord to add a second story. The house has beautiful detail which we wanted to keep but we needed to modify and update the home for our family.
Our schedule was tight. We designed, permitted and started construction all at the same time. Otis was able to start work while he fine tuned the kitchen plans and we developed plans for the rest of the remodel.
We enlarged the kitchen 50% by stealing room from an outdated laundry area. Saved half of the cabinets – added new ones to match – used some structural gymnastics to open the space and ended up with a beautiful new kitchen that would make Gerard Colcord proud!
We remodeled a couple of bathrooms including the master – reworked a guest house and office – completely rebuilt a pool house with a kitchen where an old sauna had been – created a gym out of an old workshop – redid all of the hardwood floors – the marble fireplaces – the stained, paneled dining room. Tons of small projects all wrapped into one.
Once again Otis co-ordinated design and construction working with myself, my husband, our interior designers and our business manager. We completed a ton of work in 5 months. The project grew by 50% as we added new items. Otis helped keep us on track with innovative ideas, solutions and a can do attitude to get the job done! Well done!
Cristan Reilly
Pres Rare Bird Films
See videos on this remodel here:
Session 1 – https://youtu.be/jKHmEaWqlMQ
Session 2 – https://youtu.be/gmOLJbj-YBs
Session 3 – https://youtu.be/aMlRBTfCMu0
My wife and I have completed two remodels with Otis Bradley Company, Inc. and highly recommend Otis.
Remodeling a home is tricky business. How do you upgrade an old home without “over improving” it? Where do you stop “pulling the thread on the sweater” as Otis likes to say. How do you modernize while respecting the original design? Not to mention, even the best of marriages don’t always mean husband and wife have the same wishes. Otis’ approach, handling the design and the construction, with our interior designers, constantly helped us through the remodel and with innovative designs and efficient construction.
The first remodel included a new master bathroom with a unique blend of traditional marble tiling, furniture style cabinets and very contemporary “white” glass partitions for the shower and toilet area. A kitchen addition with an innovative “scissor beam” open ceiling and unique curved island counter top, and several “spaces within the space,” created the new center of our daily family life.
Additionally, I tasked Otis with revamping the exterior look of our 60’s style Ranch House. Together we looked at multiple concepts Otis quickly created on his computer. The end result transformed a tired, plain brick 60’s house and turned it into a fabulous “modern – traditional”!
Otis listens to the issues and comes up with creative solutions. He works well hearing both the needs of my wife and I and is quick to respond with options and solutions.
I like working with Otis and I hired him for a second remodel.
Kevin Reilly
President Fox
See videos on this remodel here:
Session 1 – https://youtu.be/jKHmEaWqlMQ
Session 2 – https://youtu.be/gmOLJbj-YBs
Session 3 – https://youtu.be/aMlRBTfCMu0