SubscribeSign In
The west-facing deck extends right up to the edge of the rocky outcrop, offering spectacular views over the water. “The deck is designed to feel like an extension of the house, just without a roof on it,” says architect Tom Knezic. “There’s a lot of flow inside and outside.”
The west-facing deck extends right up to the edge of the rocky outcrop, offering spectacular views over the water. “The deck is designed to feel like an extension of the house, just without a roof on it,” says architect Tom Knezic. “There’s a lot of flow inside and outside.”
The kitchen opens out into the dining room and living area, and features an island countertop from Caesarstone. The lighting throughout is from Liteline.
The kitchen opens out into the dining room and living area, and features an island countertop from Caesarstone. The lighting throughout is from Liteline.
“The upper floor is completely open, and it’s supposed to feel like you’re in a big, really nice tent,” says architect Tom Knezic. “It does feel that way when you have all these windows on the south, and the sliding doors on either end of the hall open. You get the breeze through the space, and feel like you’re outside.”
“The upper floor is completely open, and it’s supposed to feel like you’re in a big, really nice tent,” says architect Tom Knezic. “It does feel that way when you have all these windows on the south, and the sliding doors on either end of the hall open. You get the breeze through the space, and feel like you’re outside.”
“I have been carting this light around in a box for 10 years...it finally has a home!” says Madeleine of the Jorn Utzon ceiling light in the upstairs powder room.
“I have been carting this light around in a box for 10 years...it finally has a home!” says Madeleine of the Jorn Utzon ceiling light in the upstairs powder room.
The sitting room, located at the rear of the home, features a custom timber coffee table by the architects, an Escea fireplace, a Little Petra armchair by Viggo Boesen for &Tradition, and a Sanders Air sofa from Voyager.
The sitting room, located at the rear of the home, features a custom timber coffee table by the architects, an Escea fireplace, a Little Petra armchair by Viggo Boesen for &Tradition, and a Sanders Air sofa from Voyager.
Large-scale sliding doors divide the active zones at the front of the home from the quiet zones in the rear.
Large-scale sliding doors divide the active zones at the front of the home from the quiet zones in the rear.
Concrete pavers and massive sliding glass doors extend the sitting room at the back of the home to the rear garden.
Concrete pavers and massive sliding glass doors extend the sitting room at the back of the home to the rear garden.
Surrounded by Eveneer white oak paneling, the light-filled living room is furnished with a Poltrona Frau John-John sofa from Cult, Knoll Tulip coffee tables, a Sisal rug from Armadillo & Co, and a pair of 60-year anniversary-edition PK22 lounge chairs from Cult.
Surrounded by Eveneer white oak paneling, the light-filled living room is furnished with a Poltrona Frau John-John sofa from Cult, Knoll Tulip coffee tables, a Sisal rug from Armadillo & Co, and a pair of 60-year anniversary-edition PK22 lounge chairs from Cult.
Massive glazed sliding doors open up the living space to an outdoor concrete patio that overlooks the street at the front of the room.
Massive glazed sliding doors open up the living space to an outdoor concrete patio that overlooks the street at the front of the room.
“In the afternoon, the west-facing kitchen window is like a painting with red and orange sunsets,” says Madeleine.
“In the afternoon, the west-facing kitchen window is like a painting with red and orange sunsets,” says Madeleine.
A Nuura Miira 4 pendant light hangs above the custom one-ton marble dining table surrounded by Era dining chairs by Living Divani from Space Saving Furniture Australia. The framed photograph is by Paul Ogier.
A Nuura Miira 4 pendant light hangs above the custom one-ton marble dining table surrounded by Era dining chairs by Living Divani from Space Saving Furniture Australia. The framed photograph is by Paul Ogier.
The top living floor was completely renovated with huge windows that flood the interior with sunlight, and timber beams that span the entire width of the house.
The top living floor was completely renovated with huge windows that flood the interior with sunlight, and timber beams that span the entire width of the house.
City of Palm Springs ID #1880
City of Palm Springs ID #1880
City of Palm Springs ID #1880
City of Palm Springs ID #1880
The home was inspired by Japanese and Hawaiian architecture, and it features a trove of original details, including the stone fireplace and oak flooring in the living room. Clerestory windows top the sliding doors which lead to a large, covered patio.
The home was inspired by Japanese and Hawaiian architecture, and it features a trove of original details, including the stone fireplace and oak flooring in the living room. Clerestory windows top the sliding doors which lead to a large, covered patio.
Natural light and materiality were celebrated in the design, from the warm timber surfaces to the pigmented polished plaster walls and micro-cement floors that help reflect light.
Natural light and materiality were celebrated in the design, from the warm timber surfaces to the pigmented polished plaster walls and micro-cement floors that help reflect light.
DCW Editions' Les Acrobates lights that hang above the dining table contribute to the design's warm, industrial feel.
DCW Editions' Les Acrobates lights that hang above the dining table contribute to the design's warm, industrial feel.
Yellow Cloud Studio designed the dining table that was built by Stuart Indge Ltd. The midcentury chairs are by Arne Hovmand Olsen, made by Mogens Kold.
Yellow Cloud Studio designed the dining table that was built by Stuart Indge Ltd. The midcentury chairs are by Arne Hovmand Olsen, made by Mogens Kold.
The elegant kitchen cabinetry was built with oil-treated oak on a birch interior structure. The backsplash is Confiserie Blush Chevron Mosaic by Claybrook, and the wall lights are Brass Cylinder Lamps by Dyke and Dean.
The elegant kitchen cabinetry was built with oil-treated oak on a birch interior structure. The backsplash is Confiserie Blush Chevron Mosaic by Claybrook, and the wall lights are Brass Cylinder Lamps by Dyke and Dean.
Built by Stuart Indge, the sun-soaked oak veneer daybed and window seat features built-in storage underneath.
Built by Stuart Indge, the sun-soaked oak veneer daybed and window seat features built-in storage underneath.
"The capsule window also reflects in its shape brutalist tendencies [seen in the new facade], but the stained oak timber of its frame reveals a softer approach of the design," explain the architects.
"The capsule window also reflects in its shape brutalist tendencies [seen in the new facade], but the stained oak timber of its frame reveals a softer approach of the design," explain the architects.
The eye-catching capsule window, bisected by a large skylight, was inserted into the original brick wall and replaces a traditional sash window.
The eye-catching capsule window, bisected by a large skylight, was inserted into the original brick wall and replaces a traditional sash window.
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 landscaped yard was designed by Jonathan Froines and features private hillside steps leading up to a picnic area with views of downtown Los Angeles.
The landscaped yard was designed by Jonathan Froines and features private hillside steps leading up to a picnic area with views of downtown Los Angeles.
An upstairs bedroom features 13-foot vaulted ceilings, which give the former attic space a surprisingly airy feel.
An upstairs bedroom features 13-foot vaulted ceilings, which give the former attic space a surprisingly airy feel.
The kitchen offers 17 feet of total counter space, as well as a large pantry at one end. Light fixtures and design accents throughout the home were sourced from Anthropologie, West Elm, Pottery Barn, CB2, and Rejuvenation, among other retailers.
The kitchen offers 17 feet of total counter space, as well as a large pantry at one end. Light fixtures and design accents throughout the home were sourced from Anthropologie, West Elm, Pottery Barn, CB2, and Rejuvenation, among other retailers.
A six-burner Bianco range takes center stage along one wall. Matte black accents contrast with the stone and natural wood finishes.
A six-burner Bianco range takes center stage along one wall. Matte black accents contrast with the stone and natural wood finishes.
The all-new, European-style kitchen features custom oak cabinetry in contrasting finishes, open shelving, and a large central island. Bertazzoni appliances, marble counters, and cabinetry hardware from CB2 complete the look.
The all-new, European-style kitchen features custom oak cabinetry in contrasting finishes, open shelving, and a large central island. Bertazzoni appliances, marble counters, and cabinetry hardware from CB2 complete the look.
The revamped living area features an updated fireplace and sconces. Light hardwood floors run throughout the home, reflecting the brighter new aesthetic.
The revamped living area features an updated fireplace and sconces. Light hardwood floors run throughout the home, reflecting the brighter new aesthetic.
Inside, the newly renovated living area features a large picture window, arched doorways, and a custom-made front door with inlaid capiz shells. The top-to-bottom renovation expanded the interior from around 1,400 square feet to over 3,200 square feet—including a studio/office space.
Inside, the newly renovated living area features a large picture window, arched doorways, and a custom-made front door with inlaid capiz shells. The top-to-bottom renovation expanded the interior from around 1,400 square feet to over 3,200 square feet—including a studio/office space.
Two covered aeries located off of the living room and the master suite (pictured) provide the client with a generous outdoor living space, rain or shine.
Two covered aeries located off of the living room and the master suite (pictured) provide the client with a generous outdoor living space, rain or shine.
"We were interested in this idea of treading lightly on the site. Using a green roof is a logical extension of that. When you introduce a building that supplants a little piece of the forest floor, it's nice to replicate that on the roof as a return gesture to continue to create habitat for birds, animals, and plants, and to help manage the flow of storm water," explains McFarlane.
"We were interested in this idea of treading lightly on the site. Using a green roof is a logical extension of that. When you introduce a building that supplants a little piece of the forest floor, it's nice to replicate that on the roof as a return gesture to continue to create habitat for birds, animals, and plants, and to help manage the flow of storm water," explains McFarlane.
Proposed for a forest’s edge, the YORK house opens up to the outdoors with large sliding glass doors and multi-leveled terrace. A central block visually splits the four-bedroom home into two, creating a new twist on the traditional gable roof.
Proposed for a forest’s edge, the YORK house opens up to the outdoors with large sliding glass doors and multi-leveled terrace. A central block visually splits the four-bedroom home into two, creating a new twist on the traditional gable roof.
The three bedrooms in the private sleeping wing are sound controlled to offer additional privacy. As in the living wing, the walls are entirely clad in timber.
The three bedrooms in the private sleeping wing are sound controlled to offer additional privacy. As in the living wing, the walls are entirely clad in timber.
The verandas provide a threshold between the internal and external spaces. “They soften the abrupt change and mediate the relationship between inside and out,” says architect Ben Shields.
The verandas provide a threshold between the internal and external spaces. “They soften the abrupt change and mediate the relationship between inside and out,” says architect Ben Shields.
“[The clients] appreciate nature in a controlled aesthetic. This appreciation for the simplicity of nature translates into a disciplined and considered garden where a few trees make a huge impact,” says architect Alan Tay.
“[The clients] appreciate nature in a controlled aesthetic. This appreciation for the simplicity of nature translates into a disciplined and considered garden where a few trees make a huge impact,” says architect Alan Tay.

1,193 more saves