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When Libby May and Eoghan Mahony purchased a 1950s post-and-beam house in Los Angeles’ Santa Monica Canyon, they envisioned someday transforming the garage and adjoining workshop into livable space, with an office for each of them and a family room they could share with their sons, Wes, 14, and Duncan, 10.
When Libby May and Eoghan Mahony purchased a 1950s post-and-beam house in Los Angeles’ Santa Monica Canyon, they envisioned someday transforming the garage and adjoining workshop into livable space, with an office for each of them and a family room they could share with their sons, Wes, 14, and Duncan, 10.
What Carstensen saved on labor costs he was able to put into furnishings. The interior of the screened-in porch is outfitted with a mix of furnishings, both vintage and new. He purchased the vintage Malm fireplace in Los Angeles on a work trip and had it shipped to Portland. The rug, shelf unit, and loveseat are all from the locally-based Schoolhouse Electric, as are the ceiling lights: Factory Light No. 7 in Green.
What Carstensen saved on labor costs he was able to put into furnishings. The interior of the screened-in porch is outfitted with a mix of furnishings, both vintage and new. He purchased the vintage Malm fireplace in Los Angeles on a work trip and had it shipped to Portland. The rug, shelf unit, and loveseat are all from the locally-based Schoolhouse Electric, as are the ceiling lights: Factory Light No. 7 in Green.
A custom table and bench in the dining room are paired with the Pike Dining Chairs from Room & Board.
A custom table and bench in the dining room are paired with the Pike Dining Chairs from Room & Board.
“Everything needed to be approachable and simple,” says Hilary. “The house reflects who we are.”
“Everything needed to be approachable and simple,” says Hilary. “The house reflects who we are.”
The window frames are made from aluminum instead of vinyl.
The window frames are made from aluminum instead of vinyl.
Locally sourced, low-emitting materials were used inside and out. The floors throughout are bamboo.
Locally sourced, low-emitting materials were used inside and out. The floors throughout are bamboo.
The vestibule is the entry point, and it also separates the sleeping area of the house from the communal areas.
The vestibule is the entry point, and it also separates the sleeping area of the house from the communal areas.
Now, at the top of the stairs, the owners are met with a beautiful view to the mountains.
Now, at the top of the stairs, the owners are met with a beautiful view to the mountains.
"When we were going through the spreadsheet and trying to figure out what to remove from the budget, not one person ever said to cut the circular skylight," laughs Alison. "This thing was absolutely staying."
"When we were going through the spreadsheet and trying to figure out what to remove from the budget, not one person ever said to cut the circular skylight," laughs Alison. "This thing was absolutely staying."
Going Underground The site the Wadhams found for their home was designated as “green belt” land, which meant that there were restrictions on the size of the structure’s footprint. Because it’s critical for the pair to live on a single floor, especially as they grow older, Archer tucked the home’s three guest rooms—vital for four visiting children and eight grandchildren—all belowground. Not only does that keep the home’s layout trim, but with the living spaces and master bedroom at ground level, the couple will be able to stay in the house for longer, getting more use out of the energy and resources expended to build it.
Going Underground The site the Wadhams found for their home was designated as “green belt” land, which meant that there were restrictions on the size of the structure’s footprint. Because it’s critical for the pair to live on a single floor, especially as they grow older, Archer tucked the home’s three guest rooms—vital for four visiting children and eight grandchildren—all belowground. Not only does that keep the home’s layout trim, but with the living spaces and master bedroom at ground level, the couple will be able to stay in the house for longer, getting more use out of the energy and resources expended to build it.
The spirit of retain and re-use guided the design behind the conversion, and was applied to all aspects of the project.
The spirit of retain and re-use guided the design behind the conversion, and was applied to all aspects of the project.
The architects divided the home into separate floors for sleeping, living, and working. Since the house is situated on a hill that slopes 20 feet from top to bottom, there are plenty of stairs. Those pictured above were crafted using wood salvaged from a 100-year-old bungalow that previously stood on the site.
The architects divided the home into separate floors for sleeping, living, and working. Since the house is situated on a hill that slopes 20 feet from top to bottom, there are plenty of stairs. Those pictured above were crafted using wood salvaged from a 100-year-old bungalow that previously stood on the site.
Wood, carpet, glass, and concrete: the entryway is a nexus of material and textures.
Wood, carpet, glass, and concrete: the entryway is a nexus of material and textures.
“The hallway and courtyard are synonymous with each other visually, which has this very joyful quality about it,” says architect David Salmela.
“The hallway and courtyard are synonymous with each other visually, which has this very joyful quality about it,” says architect David Salmela.
The floating wood stairs descend in front of a stone wall, which extends from the outside in.
The floating wood stairs descend in front of a stone wall, which extends from the outside in.
The large windows open up the interiors by creating double-height spaces that draw natural light into the heart of the house.
The large windows open up the interiors by creating double-height spaces that draw natural light into the heart of the house.
A floating staircase leads up from the common area to the bedrooms.
A floating staircase leads up from the common area to the bedrooms.
A steel brise-soleil in the hallway by the stairwell highlights the play of shadow and light as the sun moves. The stair is made from the same fallen silk oak tree as the dining table. Using this found timber not only created a relationship with the site, but helped to control the budget.
A steel brise-soleil in the hallway by the stairwell highlights the play of shadow and light as the sun moves. The stair is made from the same fallen silk oak tree as the dining table. Using this found timber not only created a relationship with the site, but helped to control the budget.
With the new stair orientation, there’s room for closets in the nearby bedroom and at the entry.
With the new stair orientation, there’s room for closets in the nearby bedroom and at the entry.
Canny 'The New' Laundry
Canny 'The New' Laundry
A hidden mudroom near the stairs boasts the same moody teal as the kitchen, tying the entire home together while still maintaining separate functional spaces.
A hidden mudroom near the stairs boasts the same moody teal as the kitchen, tying the entire home together while still maintaining separate functional spaces.
The laundry is tucked away beside the kitchen. A skylight floods the small space with natural light, and cat doors provide the resident feline with easy access to the litter box kept here.
The laundry is tucked away beside the kitchen. A skylight floods the small space with natural light, and cat doors provide the resident feline with easy access to the litter box kept here.
Glass-and-steel corridors link each of Austin and Lida’s studios to the main pavilion, where they share the kitchen and a central living and dining space.
Glass-and-steel corridors link each of Austin and Lida’s studios to the main pavilion, where they share the kitchen and a central living and dining space.
The hallway leading to the master bedroom is lined with an assortment of framed photos of family and friends and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the verdant James River Valley.
The hallway leading to the master bedroom is lined with an assortment of framed photos of family and friends and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the verdant James River Valley.
Creekside Residence
Creekside Residence

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