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The couple planned out all of the exterior landscaping themselves. "[It was] painstaking, the time spent measuring," says Emily.

A small deck and a custom concrete planter complete the seating area off of the main bedroom.

A new, linear window high up in the wall lets in light, but doesn’t call for blinds to ensure privacy. "When you're in either bedroom, you just see blue skies and palm trees," says Emily of the new window configuration. "And it’s just such a great little hack, especially if you are reconfiguring windows for basically anywhere in L.A., where you're on top of your neighbors."

A thick, poured concrete slab forms the surface of the large island and waterfalls to the floor on one side.

The backsplash and counters are Caesarstone, and a floating white oak shelf was positioned flush with the hood vent for a cleaner look.

The pair borrowed a little space on the front porch and expanded the kitchen into the breakfast nook, so the sink now looks out on the front yard and old olive tree.

The original ensuite featured an awkward triangular shower, and was, as Daniel recalls, “the size of a closet. It looked like a powder room.” Clever use of millwork redirected the light from the skylight away from the bedroom and into the bathroom.

“Daniel knew what he wanted, and that made it easy for the materials,” says Bernardo.)

The entrance is through an enclosed courtyard, which features ipe (Brazilian walnut) timber fencing with an exposed painted steel structure topped with planters. The living room is visible through a glazed corner.

The simple composition of the new house is inspired by midcentury modern homes. Instead of demolishing the old house, the couple decided move it to a new location a few miles away. “After all, there was no reason to put twenty odd tons in a landfill, especially since it had good structural integrity,” says designer Jamie Chioco. “It could make a good first-time home for someone just as it did for me”

Custom steel corner windows allow the interior to expand into the exterior spaces, making the modest home feel much larger than it actually is.

The concrete aggregate floor runs from the interior out to the patio. The patio chairs are by Chioco Design, and the Ratio cocktail table is by local furniture brand Seer Studio.

Marble covers the backsplash, and new upper cabinets inset with fluted glass were added.

The stainless-steel elements, including the counter and cabinets, were also kept in place for their industrial character. The island was reworked and topped with marble.

The architects reused much of the existing walnut cabinetry, giving it an ebonized finish for contrast.

Garden

The outdoor space includes a fire pit.

A fixed rooflight over the new kitchen island floods the once dark and gloomy centre of the home with natural light, while an exposed metal structural beam, painted in green, offers a modern feel to the property’s industrial heritage.