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Water recirculates from a bench-level channel into a shallow pool bordered by succulents. Montalvo’s longtime landscape contractor Santiago Vasquez worked with her on the hardscaping.

Skylights built into the patio provide natural light to the desk area.

Molly often takes calls by the stairs between the entry and the patio, which she finished in brick by her company, OR.CA, and enclosed with redwood fencing.

Local artist John Bisbee created a decorative screen out of nails for the end of the base cabinet. Stuart built the drawers using traditional wood-on-wood slides and proportionally spaced dovetails, which operate differently in summer and winter. “Those idiosyncrasies effect the way you interact with it,” Stuart notes. “The kitchen is experiential in that way.”

A custom, Japanese-inspired cast concrete ladder leads to the green roof, where native plants and grasses thrive in the Johannesburg heat. The powder-coated steel railing adds a touch of visual warmth.

The home’s kitchen features dual Miele ovens, Thermador refrigerator and freezer, and Thermador induction cooktop. A feature wall clad in natural Carrara marble sits behind sliding cabinet uppers. Paola Lenti Heron counter stools in ‘verde scuro,’ coordinate with custom cabinet fronts, accented with Spinneybeck leather pulls.

In total, the property includes two lots, with a flat pad and room for a pool in the middle.

American architect, artist, and educator Amaza Lee Meredith driving circa 1920. Photo courtesy Virginia State University Special Collections and Archives.

García added yellow panes to the original glass door leading to the terrace.

García used Behr paints throughout the house, including Turmeric for the bedroom ceiling. The black Sol chair from Chuch Estudio was inspired by a popular Mexican cookie.