A Tree House–Inspired Backyard Sanctuary Blends Tranquility and Whimsy

Architectural designer Jerome Byron uses playful proportions and pops of color to spark creativity in a serene Los Angeles guesthouse.
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When a Los Angeles–based entrepreneur and writer were seeking creative refuge, they didn’t have to travel far for inspiration. The duo simply looked to their backyard to erect a 245-square-foot guesthouse on their hillside property in the Los Feliz neighborhood. Nestled just behind their main residence, the tranquil space serves as a work/play sanctuary for the couple and their two children.

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Local landscape design firm Terremoto imagined the Monon Guesthouse to be a wild and graphic garden rife with cacti and grass. When architectural designer Jerome Byron stepped in, he took the concept from imagination to reality, building a tree house–like structure that he describes as a "kind of garden folie."

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The finished structure closely resembles the initial sketch of a compact dwelling that juxtaposes clean lines with unusual proportions. Throughout the space, primary geometries are accented by thoughtful pops of color that are intended to invite creative thought. 

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The backyard guesthouse features an angular roof, circular and rectangular windows, and quirky interior details. In one area, a rounded window is  eclipsed by a Noguchi globe pendant.

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Cedar decking forms a bridge between the existing home and guesthouse. A set of stairs leads up to the site and around an exterior hot tub. The wood winds around the structure in a vertically oriented cladding with an open-joint system. A warm palette continues inside the structure with plywood walls and minimal built-in furnishings.

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Léon & George Desert Cactus
Léon & George Desert Cactus
Make a statement with this tall angular cactus and its yellow/green pattern. With thorns as sharp and tough as its personality, it is a low maintenance and attractive piece that will draw the attention of anyone. Like most cacti, it likes desert conditions with a lot of light and not a lot of water.
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Floyd The Outdoor Bench
A garden-worthy multitasker and perfect seat for two. Lightweight powder coated aluminum meets matte powder coat in an array of cheerful colors.
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Herman Miller Nelson Ball Bubble Pendant
While outfitting his office, architect and Herman Miller design director George Nelson discovered a silk-covered Swedish hanging lamp that he coveted but found too expensive.
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"The project was inspired by tree houses, so it naturally feels very warm and muted," explains Byron. "However, I didn't want everything to feel one-note, so I used the fixtures and furniture as an opportunity to introduce pops of colors to compliment the overall warmth."

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The guesthouse is all about balance in both form and function: An office nook overlooks the backyard, offering a serene place to work, while a living area features a built-in couch with olive-green mohair cushions, as well as the couple’s two vintage pinball machines. A major focal point is the large, detachable yellow ladder that climbs up to the loft, where a rust-red daybed offers views that open up across the garden and hot tub area.

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"I decided on the yellow ladder for two reasons," says Byron. "I wanted to evoke an image of a fire station ladder with a playful obstacle to climb up and down. But with such a small space and a tall mezzanine level, I wanted to make sure that the ladder was also highly visible." The hue of the paint is even appropriately named Safety Yellow.

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Come nightfall, the imaginative space takes on a more mysterious air. The circular Noguchi lamp mimics a full moon, while the exterior plants cast towering shadows against the tree house–inspired structure.

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Project Details:

Architectural Designer: Jerome Byron / @jeromebyron 

Builder/General Contractor: Green Earth Construction Services

Landscape Designer: Terremoto / @terremoto_landscape 

Photography: Luke Sirimongkhon / @lukesmk 

Jen Woo
Dwell Contributor
Founder of Rogue Habits, Jen is usually writing, wandering, or eating; chasing her insatiable lust for noodles, travel, and design.

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