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A Michigan couple find out they own the last of a little-known, thought-to-be-extinct breed—a midcentury modern house by Alexander Girard.
A Michigan couple find out they own the last of a little-known, thought-to-be-extinct breed—a midcentury modern house by Alexander Girard.
The recess between the bifold doors and rear garden is finished in polished plaster and black Viroc.
The recess between the bifold doors and rear garden is finished in polished plaster and black Viroc.
The living, kitchen, and outdoor porch areas in the primary residence are situated to enjoy sunset. The living room opens directly to the screened outdoor dining porch and a timber deck that overlooks the surrounding hills.
The living, kitchen, and outdoor porch areas in the primary residence are situated to enjoy sunset. The living room opens directly to the screened outdoor dining porch and a timber deck that overlooks the surrounding hills.
Raj and Watts extended the fireplace column to the ceiling to highlight the room’s expansive scale, and had it coated in concrete plaster. It was important to retain the wood-burning fireplace—a rarity in the city—but “we wanted to re-clad it in a material that also spoke to the industrial past of the building,” says Raj.
Raj and Watts extended the fireplace column to the ceiling to highlight the room’s expansive scale, and had it coated in concrete plaster. It was important to retain the wood-burning fireplace—a rarity in the city—but “we wanted to re-clad it in a material that also spoke to the industrial past of the building,” says Raj.
Husband-and-wife team Elaine and Stanley Yang of real estate and development firm Mini Inno discovered this 2,000-square-foot ranch home, and set about transforming it into an idyllic weekend retreat. Built in 1966, the home sits on 3.6 acres and, while the bones were good, it was a bit outdated in terms of style. The revitalized, Moroccan-inspired retreat is a sanctuary worthy of its soothing surroundings.
Husband-and-wife team Elaine and Stanley Yang of real estate and development firm Mini Inno discovered this 2,000-square-foot ranch home, and set about transforming it into an idyllic weekend retreat. Built in 1966, the home sits on 3.6 acres and, while the bones were good, it was a bit outdated in terms of style. The revitalized, Moroccan-inspired retreat is a sanctuary worthy of its soothing surroundings.
Like phase one, phase two will have a wood-clad foyer and dining area that will act as an extension.
Like phase one, phase two will have a wood-clad foyer and dining area that will act as an extension.
The 1,720-square-foot house requires no mechanical heating or cooling. Passive ventilation techniques, like the slatted doors in the bedroom, take advantage of the town’s famous winds to keep the house cool.
The 1,720-square-foot house requires no mechanical heating or cooling. Passive ventilation techniques, like the slatted doors in the bedroom, take advantage of the town’s famous winds to keep the house cool.
All of the home’s interior walls were finished in plaster.
All of the home’s interior walls were finished in plaster.
The perfect corner to enjoy a quiet piece of the forest.
The perfect corner to enjoy a quiet piece of the forest.
The window and door frames are mainly crafted from cedar. They sit within the curved shell, which has deep eaves that protect the interior from the sun and reference traditional Japanese architecture.
The window and door frames are mainly crafted from cedar. They sit within the curved shell, which has deep eaves that protect the interior from the sun and reference traditional Japanese architecture.
“My favorite space in the home might be the master shower,” says Joseph. “The skylight covers the entire shower, and when there is a full moon you don’t even need a light. I find it to be a very peaceful and calming space.”
“My favorite space in the home might be the master shower,” says Joseph. “The skylight covers the entire shower, and when there is a full moon you don’t even need a light. I find it to be a very peaceful and calming space.”
Custom-designed, concrete-and-walnut stairs that are lit from underneath by Concreteworks connect the bedroom floor to the lower garden floor.
Custom-designed, concrete-and-walnut stairs that are lit from underneath by Concreteworks connect the bedroom floor to the lower garden floor.
Thick landscaping surrounds the home, ensuring ample privacy while creating a city oasis.
Thick landscaping surrounds the home, ensuring ample privacy while creating a city oasis.
"We liked the idea of him making the tiles for the backsplash. It allowed us to customize the kitchen and make it feel more personal," says Hixton. "Stephanie, who is also really into tile, completely embraced the idea. She guided him with glaze choices and layout. It turned out perfectly—so perfectly that he included tiles with her and Glen's [the contractor] initials in it. We view that tile the way we view Rose's letter, a way to know the house's history."
"We liked the idea of him making the tiles for the backsplash. It allowed us to customize the kitchen and make it feel more personal," says Hixton. "Stephanie, who is also really into tile, completely embraced the idea. She guided him with glaze choices and layout. It turned out perfectly—so perfectly that he included tiles with her and Glen's [the contractor] initials in it. We view that tile the way we view Rose's letter, a way to know the house's history."
Leo flies across the yard on a rope swing (opposite). The oak’s trunk is surrounded by Mexican river stones. Mill Valley, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017
Leo flies across the yard on a rope swing (opposite). The oak’s trunk is surrounded by Mexican river stones. Mill Valley, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017
A built-in desk in the media room is also by Henrybuilt. Mill Valley, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017
A built-in desk in the media room is also by Henrybuilt. Mill Valley, California Dwell Magazine : September / October 2017
A glimpse of the living room next to the cantilevered balcony furnished with a Milo Baughman chair and a petrified wood stump table.
A glimpse of the living room next to the cantilevered balcony furnished with a Milo Baughman chair and a petrified wood stump table.
Nestled in the woods of Cairngorms National Park, the Inshriach Bothy inspired the creation of the Artist Bothy series: customizable prefab cabins that can be purchased starting at $36k.
Nestled in the woods of Cairngorms National Park, the Inshriach Bothy inspired the creation of the Artist Bothy series: customizable prefab cabins that can be purchased starting at $36k.
The family is able to share their love for music thanks to an in-home performance space.
The family is able to share their love for music thanks to an in-home performance space.
A Tesla battery ensures the home performs well—and allows it to pump excess green energy back into the grid.
A Tesla battery ensures the home performs well—and allows it to pump excess green energy back into the grid.
A pergola-shaded patio provides an idyllic setting to enjoy outdoor entertaining.
A pergola-shaded patio provides an idyllic setting to enjoy outdoor entertaining.
Custom mill works wraps the sunroom overlooking the landscaped backyard.
Custom mill works wraps the sunroom overlooking the landscaped backyard.
A mini-compound at 3295 Bennett Drive has allured many A-list stars throughout the years. The property occupies three lots, offering a half-acre gated oasis in the heart of the Hollywood Hills. Here, a living area in the newly renovated main residence is fitted with a bow-truss ceiling.
A mini-compound at 3295 Bennett Drive has allured many A-list stars throughout the years. The property occupies three lots, offering a half-acre gated oasis in the heart of the Hollywood Hills. Here, a living area in the newly renovated main residence is fitted with a bow-truss ceiling.
A glimpse into the main bedroom at the end of the day. Windows on the south facade are oversized for solar gains, views, and a robust indoor/outdoor connection.
A glimpse into the main bedroom at the end of the day. Windows on the south facade are oversized for solar gains, views, and a robust indoor/outdoor connection.
This photo and the next are two very different modern bathroom vanities with mirrors. Here, a Rejuvenation mirror with brass accents reflects those throughout the guesthouse, including in the Waterworks taps and Workstead pendants.
This photo and the next are two very different modern bathroom vanities with mirrors. Here, a Rejuvenation mirror with brass accents reflects those throughout the guesthouse, including in the Waterworks taps and Workstead pendants.
In 2014, Jeff and Karen Gunning began researching building another house, hoping to create a single, contained volume without compromising their retirement funds. The resulting Tree House comprises three pitched volumes with cutaways to create a porch in phase one and recessed window planter ledges in phase two. Simple wood columns provide support.
In 2014, Jeff and Karen Gunning began researching building another house, hoping to create a single, contained volume without compromising their retirement funds. The resulting Tree House comprises three pitched volumes with cutaways to create a porch in phase one and recessed window planter ledges in phase two. Simple wood columns provide support.
Minimally separated by LaCantina walls of glass, the interior white-washed fumed oak flooring flows into the Alaskan yellow cedar deck built at the same elevation.
Minimally separated by LaCantina walls of glass, the interior white-washed fumed oak flooring flows into the Alaskan yellow cedar deck built at the same elevation.
Beautiful views of the Buddha statue and lagoon can be seen in the approach to the front entrance flanked by Japanese maples. The homeowners often leave the rear LaCantina doors wide open for continuous indoor/outdoor connection.
Beautiful views of the Buddha statue and lagoon can be seen in the approach to the front entrance flanked by Japanese maples. The homeowners often leave the rear LaCantina doors wide open for continuous indoor/outdoor connection.
A glimpse through the main house from the living area to the study area beyond.
A glimpse through the main house from the living area to the study area beyond.
Because the architects wanted to showcase the view of one of the more majestic oaks on the property, they placed a lap pool below the tree so the mirror-like surface of the water would gracefully reflect its image.
Because the architects wanted to showcase the view of one of the more majestic oaks on the property, they placed a lap pool below the tree so the mirror-like surface of the water would gracefully reflect its image.
view from the northwest at dusk
view from the northwest at dusk

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