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The home is located on a steep site in Los Angeles’s Montecito Heights neighborhood. Designed by LA-based, female-led firm Claret-Cup, one standout feature is the custom folding stair hatch that can toggle between appearing as an extension of the railing or, when folded down, it becomes an extended portion of the living room floor.

A modular sofa by Camaleonda continues the design's spirit of transformation.

When secured vertically, the hatch appears as a continuation of the railing.

The home is oriented around an existing Coral tree.

Calandra Design recreated the rear yard, where a sectional sofa, a fire pit, and a dining area provide places for the family to spend time together outside.

Massive glass folding doors connect the living area to the rear yard.

A built-in bench painted a bright orange to match the front door offers warmth, convenience, and a playful vibe for the entrance.

Harty explains that budget was an issue, and so "the house is just big enough to suit the needs of the family without being too grand.

Laminam countertops.

“The owners were especially disciplined in maintaining calmness in all material and product choices,

Instead of the separated space for living, dining, and cooking, the renovation has instead connected spaces that open up to the outdoors.

The slate entryway gives way to hardwood flooring in the living spaces.

Textured porcelain tile by Terratinta Ceramiche changes throughout the day, thanks to a skylight in the bathroom.

The main living area is on the second floor in an open double-height space where the ceiling peaks at 15 feet under an angled roof. It contains an airy kitchen/dining area and a living room. A hallway leads to the primary bedroom, and a loft contains a bedroom for their kids. The ground floor has an apartment they rent to local teachers.

The enclosed staircase to the garden and library, flourishing with tropical plants, is now one of Carmen's favourite aspects of the home.

Inside the waffle front door, a common feature of Deck Houses, are an Artek Tea Trolley 900 by Alvar Aalto with a ceramic vase by Femme Sole and Home Union.

The basement-level family room connects with a guest bedroom that features a painting by Marleigh Culver.

After: The soaring new living and dining space benefits from an abundance of natural light from every side, and they spent a lot of time trying to find the best lighting for the kitchen. The final choice: long, narrow copper pendants from Denmark suspended by ultra thin wires to not disrupt the visual flow of the room.