The tile is by Carter.
There are precious few decorative flourishes in the house; the architects put their faith in line, form, and materials. Concrete, stainless steel, and birch were used in the kitchen, where not an inch of space goes unused.
In the new addition, the designers created a guest bathroom with a spa-like feel. The paint was color matched with the blue tile from Zia Tile in the shower room.
The kitchen wall was also removed to enlarge the space. Pocket doors now separate it from the living area. Sleek gray cabinetry designed by Rebecca and fabricated by Gryf Construction provides a quiet counterpoint to the exuberant Italian terrazzo island and backsplash. The faucet is from Kohler.
Inside the 1,930-square-foot structure, which is their full-time residence, con-crete floors and pale woods mimic the outdoor palette. A sliding glass wall from Fleetwood opens to an expansive patio and perfect sunset views.
Glass walls bookend the kitchen/living area on the entry level, connecting the space to a patio and terrace.
The living area features a Strato CB2 sectional that Melody owned before the couple moved in together. In the kitchen, pendants made by the pair hang over a concrete-topped island.
Julie had the front door custom-made of wood and set on a pivot, so that it would be a textural focal point on either side of its opening.
A Reform Kitchen is the spot for frequent baking and cooking, two of Julie's passions.
In the living area, Jeremy, left, and Joe relax on a green Muuto sectional. “We never would have chosen it on our own,” says Joe, extending praise to their architects for nudging them to take chances. “Now we can’t imagine any other sofa. It’s perfect.” The velvet sofa upholstery in Moss is from Knoll, while the rug is from Armadillo.
Signs of the couple’s Mediterranean backgrounds abound. A blue square over the stove “symbolizes a window with a view of the sea,” says Kiki.
Kaplan designated a walk-in pantry for storage, which is what makes it possible to remove the upper cabinets. Not only does the pantry save money spent on cabinetry, it’s nice to have everything on display and easy to find: “I don't want to open all these cabinets,” says Kaplan.
The hall bathroom is a little more conventional but also more color forward, with a deep blue faucet from Jaclo.
Architect Jonathan Solomon and city planner Meg Gustafson had experience designing houses, but not together, which made renovating their late-1800s home in Chicago’s Uptown all the more exciting—particularly when you consider their style is anything but traditional.
In his renovation of Kate Brien Kitz and David Kitz’s Los Angeles home, architect Andrew Hall reinterpreted the original gable roof and siding. Landscape designers Mary Lange and Molly Funk transformed the yard with drought-tolerant plants. The walkway decking is from Kebony kebony, the Seaspray paint from Benjamin Moore, and the front door hardware from Emtek.
No-fuss, sturdy materials, like Kahrs oak chevron floors that camouflage dirt and easy-care black metal siding, free up time for family. “The more durable the material, the less work to maintain it,” says Susie. Also in the kitchen is a quartz countertop by Daltile and faucet from Kohler. The windows are by Milgard.
Fields of native grasses connect the main residence, situated at the top of the slope, to the new structures scattered below. A pergola extends from the post-and-beam structure that was maintained during the remodel of the midcentury home.
Not every client-designer relationship would have thrived under such extreme circumstances, but Dovey credits Sarah and Ben’s attitude for the project’s success. “They were observant and thoughtful, and really took the time to ask all the right questions,” says Dovey. “In the end, it went so well just because of the great relationships.”
The primary bath features a Kaldewei bathtub and custom shower artwork by Sara Bright.
The kitchen went from being a room Josephine would not step foot in to one of the most-used rooms of the apartment.
Thanks to a prefab in-law unit, an octogenarian modernist lives independently on a peaceful, verdant site in Northern California.
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