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Collection by Sandra Seaton

Exteriors

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After raising the rear patio to the level of the kitchen, the team reused the original redwood decking and supplemented it with recycled pieces from other projects. Recessed planters punctuate a garden wall. Scott and Regina warm themselves by a Solus fire pit on chilly evenings.
After raising the rear patio to the level of the kitchen, the team reused the original redwood decking and supplemented it with recycled pieces from other projects. Recessed planters punctuate a garden wall. Scott and Regina warm themselves by a Solus fire pit on chilly evenings.
Large sliding windows retract at the corner, opening the living area onto a lawn overlooking Long Island Sound.
Large sliding windows retract at the corner, opening the living area onto a lawn overlooking Long Island Sound.
Before: Caroline Hwang and Joel Speasmaker bought their Pasadena home in 2021. The existing kitchen was small, dark, and “boxed in” from the rest of the plan. “It just felt very sad,” says Caroline.
Before: Caroline Hwang and Joel Speasmaker bought their Pasadena home in 2021. The existing kitchen was small, dark, and “boxed in” from the rest of the plan. “It just felt very sad,” says Caroline.
The outdoor dining area is connected to the new kitchen through a fine frame double glazed sliding door by Sieger Systems. This was one of the more expensive features of the renovation—the doors and triple-glazed windows throughout cost just over $27K in total—but was essential to achieve the connection the client was looking for. The slatted screen was another important feature. “It creates a backdrop for the dining area that makes the terrace feel more like an outdoor room that is separate from the rest of the garden,” explains architect Julia Hamson.
The outdoor dining area is connected to the new kitchen through a fine frame double glazed sliding door by Sieger Systems. This was one of the more expensive features of the renovation—the doors and triple-glazed windows throughout cost just over $27K in total—but was essential to achieve the connection the client was looking for. The slatted screen was another important feature. “It creates a backdrop for the dining area that makes the terrace feel more like an outdoor room that is separate from the rest of the garden,” explains architect Julia Hamson.
"The resort-like backyard is an entertainer's paradise, featuring a saltwater pool, numerous dining and seating areas, and a gas fire pit,
"The resort-like backyard is an entertainer's paradise, featuring a saltwater pool, numerous dining and seating areas, and a gas fire pit,
The single-story home sits on a lush green lot in the city's Woodland Hills neighborhood.
The single-story home sits on a lush green lot in the city's Woodland Hills neighborhood.
The Clover is 24 feet long and is supported by a double-axle trailer. Featuring a steel roof, its exterior is clad in lapped smart siding.
The Clover is 24 feet long and is supported by a double-axle trailer. Featuring a steel roof, its exterior is clad in lapped smart siding.
Accessed through floor-to-ceiling glass sliders, the kitchen and living room open to terraces, which the family reserves for crafting. Their floors are covered in durable Pavestone Pewter Concrete Step Stones, which cost roughly $3.19 per 16-inch paver. Emilie attributes the home’s ample natural ventilation to the balconies as well as to its tall, thin profile, a choice made to keep the overall building footprint small.
Accessed through floor-to-ceiling glass sliders, the kitchen and living room open to terraces, which the family reserves for crafting. Their floors are covered in durable Pavestone Pewter Concrete Step Stones, which cost roughly $3.19 per 16-inch paver. Emilie attributes the home’s ample natural ventilation to the balconies as well as to its tall, thin profile, a choice made to keep the overall building footprint small.
The fenced-in backyard presents a spacious, private setting for outdoor entertaining.
The fenced-in backyard presents a spacious, private setting for outdoor entertaining.
Thick vegetation encloses the sage-green home, allowing it to merge with its surroundings.
Thick vegetation encloses the sage-green home, allowing it to merge with its surroundings.
A custom climbing wall lets Clark get his energy out. The family is known to all climb up and hang out in the space.
A custom climbing wall lets Clark get his energy out. The family is known to all climb up and hang out in the space.
Keeping ample green space on the property was a top-tier goal. One of the house's original screened-in porches remains, but, according to Emily, "we dropped the screens so when you're sitting in the dining room, you can look out and see the bamboo." The divide between the new and old sections is marked by a gap in the roof that lets the sun into a small planted area.
Keeping ample green space on the property was a top-tier goal. One of the house's original screened-in porches remains, but, according to Emily, "we dropped the screens so when you're sitting in the dining room, you can look out and see the bamboo." The divide between the new and old sections is marked by a gap in the roof that lets the sun into a small planted area.
Although they could have extended their house forward on its lot, the Hugheses wanted to keep it in line with the houses on either side. They liked the neighborhood's scale and didn't want to stand out of proportion. A skylight above the living room was the first thing the couple added when they moved in 10 years ago.
Although they could have extended their house forward on its lot, the Hugheses wanted to keep it in line with the houses on either side. They liked the neighborhood's scale and didn't want to stand out of proportion. A skylight above the living room was the first thing the couple added when they moved in 10 years ago.
According to Eric, a lot of thought went into the connection between the two sides of the house. Part of that included keeping the original siding. To match it on the addition, he worked with GAF Weatherside, which made identical cement board shingles. "They have a crenelated surface that, when the light hits it, gives a very interesting textured effect," he says.
According to Eric, a lot of thought went into the connection between the two sides of the house. Part of that included keeping the original siding. To match it on the addition, he worked with GAF Weatherside, which made identical cement board shingles. "They have a crenelated surface that, when the light hits it, gives a very interesting textured effect," he says.