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Norman Millar and Judith Sheine designed the built-ins in the living-dining area, which were made from vertical-grain Douglas fir. Vintage Dutch industrial chairs are arranged around a black walnut dining table that, like the madrone coffee table, is by Urban Hardwoods.

During winter, the snow comes up to the window as it piles up on the bench outside.

New concrete pathways, all built by Jake and Antony, are arranged around an artful tool shed, which has a weathered steel wall punched with a pattern from the Faroe Islands in Denmark, where Sigrid is from. “That was a nod to Sigrid’s heritage,” says Bassett. The shed also acts as a privacy screen for the patio below it.

Furnishings in comfortable neutrals minimize distractions so the ocean is the focus.

The three-bedroom home features a built-in bunk room. Large inset windows throughout allow an indoor-outdoor feel despite the single-story home's modest footprint, just over 1,000 square feet.

The living room has a gray rug by Tai Ping Carpets, rust-colored B&B Italia sofas, a pendant by David Weeks, and a frieze of butterflies by artist Kirk Maxon inspired by birds that flutter in the treetops outside Roberta’s balcony. Blinds, pocketed in the soffit above the doors, come down automatically when the sun is too bright.

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 Weltys separated the kitchen/dining area from the living room with a stair framed by maple slats. The treads, made from leftover maple countertop pieces, are set into a steel framework. The staircase cost $2,204 for 168 square feet of material in total.

Tama and Lauren Bell renovated a three-story condo in Sebastopol, California, where Judy Tyrus and Eric Waldman could live and run their non-profit. In the ground-floor office, sliding panels made by Lattice Stix separate two desks from a larger work space.

“The floor is brought closer to the ground level. This makes the line of sight closer to that of the outside, creating a conscious connection with the outdoors,” said Sudo. This also helps create a higher ceiling level and reduce cost.

Seamless wood paneling encloses the storage beneath the stair, and adds much needed “weight” to the staircase, says Ménage.

The slat treatment was added to the staircase.

The existing stairs were painted in a dark yet neutral blue-gray, with a runner on top that has a coordinating pop of orange. While most of the home's historic details were removed by former owners, Leech's team tried to preserve what they could.

Like the Sento’s main deck, the Dojo’s deck is flush with the ledge. “The building does not sit on top of the rise, but down a bit,” Shaw explains. “It is in partnership with the land, not overtaking it.”

The family practices judo regularly in the Dojo, as well as yoga. It’s a perfect rainy day play space for kids too.

After the renovation, views open up through the ground-level rooms.