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The original fireplace was painted charcoal to sync with the exterior and make for a dramatic focal point.

As with many previous projects, Kappe designed the home to honor the topography of the site. Steel components frame the residence, allowing parts of the abode to cantilever over the natural terrain with minimal disturbance.

In the kitchen, Eames chairs flank a custom dining table, and the pendant is by Wever & Ducré.

“The approval process wasn’t easy. It’s just a guesthouse, but we may as well have been trying to build an apartment complex in the backyard,” says Marks. Walls of board-formed concrete are warmed by the cumaru wood ceilings and decks.

The home takes the form of two volumes that slide past each other. The front door leads directly to the center of the home, which connects to the both the entrance courtyard and the rear pool area, dissolving the boundaries between interior and exterior space.

Floor plan of Hemlock Ave Home by Chioco Design

Another view of the main level, showcasing the open layout. “The wood ceilings accent the red oak that lines most of the house, and the custom cabinetry found in the kitchen, bathrooms, and media room elaborate on them as well,” says Zeigler.

The light-filled living room features extensive glazing in the form of clerestory windows, skylights, and a brilliant wall of glass.

Garcia clad the ADU’s exterior with a local Texas limestone, similar in color and texture to the main house, “just to tie the two together visually,” says the architect.

The Ramseys finished the pool after they moved in. Although Alterstudio had also designed a cabana, the couple decided not to build it in favor of keeping more outdoor space. Chairs and lounges by Loll join an umbrella by California Umbrella.

“From anywhere in the house, you have a sense of the outdoors,” says Melonie, “and yet it’s very private.” Ikegami agrees. “The building was really about the landscape—it can dissolve into the background,” he says. In the master bedroom, Japanese Tansu chests from the couple’s previous home flank a Duxiana bed. The full-height windows and swing door are from Western Window Systems.

The oak cabinet in the living room was another secondhand find. “It had the exact measurements of the wall,” says Annemie. “We just needed to hang it.” The throw blanket is from La Femme Garniture while the pillows and pendants are custom.

This updated 1957 home in the Twin Palms Estate features the subdivision’s signature palm trees front and center.

The kitchen updates remain true to the home’s midcentury character. Terrazzo tiles are used throughout the home.

Artist Christopher Florentino’s Ghost Loft is a delightful mix of midcentury treasures, Pop art, and Japanese design.

Completed in fall 2020, the modern residence balances its delicate location with near energy independence—powered by solar panels and a clever design.

Another perspective of the living area shows the adjacent kitchen and dining room, which feature cedar cladding along the ceiling to visually unite all of the spaces.

Inside, the voluminous living area features a double-height fireplace clad in cedar and large-format tiles—both of which are echoed along the facade as well. Full-height windows wrap around the opposite corner, providing an abundance of sunlight and helping to naturally heat the space during wintertime.