Design Ideas

There are eight outdoor spaces, or yards, of different sizes, which gives rise to the name of the house. This small courtyard is located off the dining room, and helps to connect the interior to the outdoors. "The selection of reclaimed brick has given this house a coherence that meshes perfectly with the focus on nature of the eight outdoor yards, and the cream paint contrasts wonderfully with the green planting throughout,

After: Inspired by the Murano light fixture hanging over the table, the architects opted for custom-patterned ceiling millwork in the dining room.

A $40 CB2 pendant fixture hangs above the dining table, proving high and low can work beautifully together.

Brianna calls the new primary bathroom “Daniel’s oasis.”

“The living room bleeds into the dining room, which bleeds into the kitchen—it’s all one space, really,” says Opa Architecture principal Aria Jahanshahi.

Mark Word Design did the landscaping, with an emphasis on water conservation. "It's about usage levels, but it's also about the way we treat storm water and runoff since it all goes back into our supply at the end of the cycle," designer Sarah Carr says. Word and his team chose plants that help reduce erosion, require little watering, and allow storm water to percolate. Mulch and living ground covers—including Big Blue liriope, marsilea, and Palisades zoysia turf—keep moisture within the soil and lower the temperature of the soil, protecting the roots of the live oak trees.

The family’s backyard features a grape arbor and a vegetable garden. “I began gardening so our son could understand where his food comes from,” says Onna.

The green paneling continues down the hallway. The skylights were original.

A Bosch stove is now where the sink used to be. The fixtures are by Hansgrohe, rift-sawn red oak cabinetry by GLN, and countertops by Caesarstone.

The salvaged redwood siding was given a new configuration, with both vertical and horizontal boards.

The home office of 19th St. Residence by Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects peeks into the lush side yard.

Conveniently located in their backyard, the office allows the couple to run their practice while staying close to their kids.

A set of French doors serves as the entryway to the home, which opens onto a flagstone patio where the family entertains.

"This is my favorite space," Melissa says of their bedroom. "I spend a lot of time in our bedroom reading or watching the kids play outside. It is very cozy and peaceful." Brian built a playhouse for the kids, which his daughter uses as an art studio.

The kids' loft features a cheerful, salmon-toned accent wall and a playful hanging zebra head sculpture. The windows look out on the backyard treetops, giving the sense of being in a secret hideaway.

White-painted shiplap in the bathroom brightens the room, while wood details such as the oak ceiling trim and walnut vanity and shelving add warmth to the palette.

The home has five skylights that make the interiors feel bright and welcoming. The kitchen cabinetry is from IKEA, but Brian customized it with plywood doors. To punch up the neutral palette, deep green subway tiles make an eye-catching backsplash.