A Dashing Midcentury Near L.A. by Buff, Straub & Hensman Lists for $4M

Built in 1959 and carefully updated in 2009, the Thompson Moseley House is warm, spacious, and flooded with light.

Built in 1959 by the award-winning firm Buff, Straub & Hensman—the creators of more than 300 houses throughout Southern California in their heyday—the Thompson Moseley House in San Marino, California, is a stellar example of midcentury post-and-beam architecture. In 2009, the home was thoughtfully restored by Space International, who stayed true to the architects’ original intent.

Now on the market for a cool $4,000,000, the three-bed, three-bath residence offers open-plan living with a chef’s kitchen and wet bar, a glass-enclosed bedroom suite, a pool and guesthouse—and a very on-trend hideaway "cloffice."

A quintessential example of Buff, Straub & Hensman’s post-and-beam style, the Thompson Moseley House also happens to be totally in sync with what homebuyers are looking for in 2021. 

A quintessential example of Buff, Straub & Hensman’s post-and-beam style, the Thompson Moseley House also happens to be totally in sync with what homebuyers are looking for in 2021. 

Stone pavers lead up to the front entrance of the beautifully updated home. 

Stone pavers lead up to the front entrance of the beautifully updated home. 

In the 2009 renovation, Space International upgraded the post-and-beam structure and ensured that glazing met modern energy standards, all along meticulously maintaining the original millwork. The kitchen and bathrooms were modernized, along with the main bedroom suite, and the communal areas were enhanced with a warm palette of white oak, light gray stone, and reclaimed oak flooring in reference to the home’s woodsy surroundings.

The light-filled living room features extensive glazing in the form of clerestory windows, skylights, and a brilliant wall of glass. 

The light-filled living room features extensive glazing in the form of clerestory windows, skylights, and a brilliant wall of glass. 

A floor-to-ceiling brick inlay fireplace anchors the living space and provides visual contrast to the tongue-and-groove ceiling. 

A floor-to-ceiling brick inlay fireplace anchors the living space and provides visual contrast to the tongue-and-groove ceiling. 

A warm material palette of white oak and light gray stone graces the living room. 

A warm material palette of white oak and light gray stone graces the living room. 

The upgraded, expanded kitchen is illuminated by natural light from new skylights above. 

The upgraded, expanded kitchen is illuminated by natural light from new skylights above. 

A wet bar and wine fridge cater to those who like to entertain.

A wet bar and wine fridge cater to those who like to entertain.

The kitchen overlooks a light-filled family room, which opens to the pool area. 

The kitchen overlooks a light-filled family room, which opens to the pool area. 

Reclaimed "end block" oak flooring is featured in the family room areas, a reference to the home's woodsy surroundings. 

Reclaimed "end block" oak flooring is featured in the family room areas, a reference to the home's woodsy surroundings. 

A very on-trend "cloffice" is discreetly tucked away. 

A very on-trend "cloffice" is discreetly tucked away. 

The primary bedroom was reoriented along the main axis of the home. Here, custom built-ins include the bed platform, nightstands, credenza, and writing desk. The full-height wall of glass merges the space with a private courtyard.

The primary bedroom was reoriented along the main axis of the home. Here, custom built-ins include the bed platform, nightstands, credenza, and writing desk. The full-height wall of glass merges the space with a private courtyard.

The dreamy primary bathroom also features windows that look out onto an enclosed courtyard, flooding the space with natural light.

The dreamy primary bathroom also features windows that look out onto an enclosed courtyard, flooding the space with natural light.

Clad in mosaic tile, the bathtub and shower feel open to the outdoors. 

Clad in mosaic tile, the bathtub and shower feel open to the outdoors. 

The home has three bedrooms in total. This one features a built-in desk. 

The home has three bedrooms in total. This one features a built-in desk. 

Another bedroom also features built-ins—and an enviable view of the landscape.

Another bedroom also features built-ins—and an enviable view of the landscape.

A generous deck extends from the living room.

A generous deck extends from the living room.

The home has multiple outdoor entertaining areas. 

The home has multiple outdoor entertaining areas. 

Looking into the family room from the pool area. 

Looking into the family room from the pool area. 

An overview of the pool area.

An overview of the pool area.

The two ancillary structures include a guesthouse with bath, and a separate studio.

The two ancillary structures include a guesthouse with bath, and a separate studio.

The bright and airy guesthouse. 

The bright and airy guesthouse. 

1030 Canon Drive, San Marino, also known as The Thompson Moseley House, is currently on the market for $4,000,000 listed by George Penner of Deasy Penner Podley.

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Jennifer Baum Lagdameo
Dwell Contributor
Jennifer Baum Lagdameo is a freelance design writer who has lived in Washington DC, Brooklyn, Tokyo, Manila, and is currently exploring the Pacific Northwest from her home base in Portland, Oregon.

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