Inside a Renovated Cottage in Marin

Gargan handled the landscape design for the site, packing a bevy of distinctive hangout spots into the compact lot, including a lap pool, dining terrace, and sunny patio.

Feldman describes his approach to the modern addition as: "open air pavilion below, treehouse above." To that end, an open-plan living room has floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that open onto the landscape. A custom steel staircase leads to the master bedroom upstairs.

Upstairs, carefully placed and strategically sandblasted windows reveal wooded mountain views while screening the surrounding houses. A TV raises from the top of custom dresser with the push of a remote control button.

A new kitchen in the old part of the building contrasts sleek dark wood millwork with the original vaulted ceilings, which Gargan and Wagner scrubbed and sanded themselves to reveal the old-growth redwood.