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floor levels

"A steep or unstable site can make it difficult and costly to seismically retrofit a structure, or stabilize the site,” says Thomas Schaer at SHED Architecture and Design, a Seattle-based firm with extensive experience in adaptive reuse, as well as midcentury remodel. “There also may be land-use code provisions that limit or prevent development on the lot."

Terra House | Bernardes Arquitetura

The lower level, which has a polished concrete floor and comfy Blue Dot sectional, is where the kids run around, do craft projects, and watch television. A plain barn door separates this area from the guest suite. There are also sliders that spill out into the yard.

The living room has views of the veranda and kitchen through sliding glass doors.

The coffee table is from Anthropologie.

The inoperable picture windows were replaced with large sliding glass doors that open to the new seating patio.

During the renovation, workers uncovered frescoes painted on the walls, and the couple decided to leave portions of them uncovered.

New sliders by Fleetwood open wide to the pool deck, which was redone to match what had been there originally.

A walnut-topped table and Womb chair, both by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, offer a cozy spot for reading.

The living room sports a panoply of wood: Douglas fir for the ceiling, hemlock for the walls, and stained oak for the floor. The sofa is the Neo model by Bensen and the rug is vintage.