Modern Stucco Homes

A good dose of inspiration from Luis Barragán turned a dark and beleaguered midcentury house into a family home for the ages. The paint colors chosen by the residents and architect Linda Taalman are American Cheese and Blushing Bride, both by Benjamin Moore, creating a tapestry of color and texture.

With clean white stucco cladding and unusual angles, the three-module house stands out from the surrounding neighborhood, which features mostly post-war, one-and-a-half story homes.

Dawn Farmer sits on the bed in the master bedroom. The white leather bed was designed by Pierre Kozely and manufactured by Della Robbia. The view carries through the master bathroom to the yard on the other side of the house.

Pereira’s clients asked him to create a unique “work of art” under no budget constraints or deadline. Given their openness, he was able to play with the structure’s geometry, removing the terra cotta roof and carving out recesses for decks. White stucco clads sheltering walls, while silver wood slats line openings like doors, windows, and terraces.

Winter temperatures in northern Galilee can be as cool as 50 degrees, with summer temperature as high as 100 degrees. “Most of the year it’s pretty hot,” Zucker says. Photo courtesy Z-A Studio.

“Using white allowed me to lighten up small interior spaces and at the same time respect the original colors of the carpentry and stucco work,” Rocha says. East-facing windows also catch the warm morning sun and minimize the need for artificial lighting.