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Collection by stephen mullens

814 Studio Remodel

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The house, seen from above, is meant to tread lightly on the land, acting as an immersive yet quiet reatreat.
The house, seen from above, is meant to tread lightly on the land, acting as an immersive yet quiet reatreat.
One continuous hallway goes across the house, from carport to great room to bedrooms. It allows the house to be expanded with an identically-designed twin, simply extending the hallway.
One continuous hallway goes across the house, from carport to great room to bedrooms. It allows the house to be expanded with an identically-designed twin, simply extending the hallway.
The kitchen island is topped with an extra-thick slab of Caesarstone, giving it a sculptural presence.
The kitchen island is topped with an extra-thick slab of Caesarstone, giving it a sculptural presence.
Francesca chose an array of native plants for outside the pool, as well as a pair of custom lounges.
Francesca chose an array of native plants for outside the pool, as well as a pair of custom lounges.
The outdoor pool reflects light from the setting sun into the house's great room.
The outdoor pool reflects light from the setting sun into the house's great room.
The house's simple white stucco exterior is paired with ribbed natural wood siding, adding variation and shadows.
The house's simple white stucco exterior is paired with ribbed natural wood siding, adding variation and shadows.
One continuous hallway goes across the house, from carport to great room to bedrooms. It allows the house to be expanded with an identically-designed twin, simply extending the hallway.
One continuous hallway goes across the house, from carport to great room to bedrooms. It allows the house to be expanded with an identically-designed twin, simply extending the hallway.
The interiors, by Francesca's Interlude Studio, feature simple maple cabinetry and concrete floors.
The interiors, by Francesca's Interlude Studio, feature simple maple cabinetry and concrete floors.
The house was conceived as a kind of umbrella, providing shelter for a series of bedrooms and the great room below, as well as an adjacent carport that doubles as covered outdoor space.
The house was conceived as a kind of umbrella, providing shelter for a series of bedrooms and the great room below, as well as an adjacent carport that doubles as covered outdoor space.
Homeowner Francesca Laranga chose this five-acre desert site, about seven minutes outside Yucca Valley, California, after seeing it once.
Homeowner Francesca Laranga chose this five-acre desert site, about seven minutes outside Yucca Valley, California, after seeing it once.
Sheep! Under the house! With ample space to roam and be free!
Sheep! Under the house! With ample space to roam and be free!
The sheep graze in their pasture, which is separated from the rest of the property by the knee-high wall, cleverly hidden in the landscape.
The sheep graze in their pasture, which is separated from the rest of the property by the knee-high wall, cleverly hidden in the landscape.
The wall that keeps the sheep in their pasture blends in with its surroundings and doesn’t compromise the beautiful views from the house.
The wall that keeps the sheep in their pasture blends in with its surroundings and doesn’t compromise the beautiful views from the house.
The team cleverly created “little pockets for the family’s dogs to be secure and be safe in,” says Graham. By the fire pit, the team kept natural rocks with moss. A boundary fence was painted black and covered with mesh panels so that leaves could poke through. “We didn't want it to look completely engineered; we still wanted it to look natural and subtle.”
The team cleverly created “little pockets for the family’s dogs to be secure and be safe in,” says Graham. By the fire pit, the team kept natural rocks with moss. A boundary fence was painted black and covered with mesh panels so that leaves could poke through. “We didn't want it to look completely engineered; we still wanted it to look natural and subtle.”
By the pool, a wide range of plants create interesting variation in heights, textures, and shapes. Since Sydney can be prone to bushfires during dry seasons, the pathways and pool fencing were built with non-flammable materials.
By the pool, a wide range of plants create interesting variation in heights, textures, and shapes. Since Sydney can be prone to bushfires during dry seasons, the pathways and pool fencing were built with non-flammable materials.
“A handful of non-invasive exotics were used, mainly succulent species from the Americas, that tolerate the very hot dry summers but also the heavy rain that we get,” Graham says. The soil is well-drained so that water passes through quickly, ensuring the roots don’t rot.
“A handful of non-invasive exotics were used, mainly succulent species from the Americas, that tolerate the very hot dry summers but also the heavy rain that we get,” Graham says. The soil is well-drained so that water passes through quickly, ensuring the roots don’t rot.
In the front lawn, a water feature was installed, “which we saw as an opportunity to emulate the cascading creek and downstream river,” says Graham. “It was carved on-site from a boulder that we craned in.” The plants are 90% native to Sydney, including the bed of pink flowers called kangaroo paws.
In the front lawn, a water feature was installed, “which we saw as an opportunity to emulate the cascading creek and downstream river,” says Graham. “It was carved on-site from a boulder that we craned in.” The plants are 90% native to Sydney, including the bed of pink flowers called kangaroo paws.

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