Favorites

The couple worked with architect Kevin Yoder and interior designer Louise Cohen to refurbish the brick-and-wood home, adding a 36-foot saltwater pool, where their goldendoodle likes to take an afternoon float.

The oversized eaves provide protection from the elements and allow one to walk around the entire home in all weathers. Rain chains are used as decorative alternatives to downpipes.

A skylight in the primary bath harnesses abundant sunlight for the space and gives the feeling of being outdoors. White Caesarstone quartz counters top pale maple cabinetry, lending a serene quality.

The maple wall and hidden door lend warmth and texture and hide the primary bedroom so that it remains privacy.

A ribbed wall made from maple features a hidden door that accesses the primary bedroom, which is located just off the entry.

In the primary bath, which includes the home’s only indoor shower, Lachapelle used plumbing fixtures and hardware with an oil-rubbed bronze finish that relate to the touches of black in the living space. The wood dowel and leather triangle towel holders are from Schoolhouse.

A modest street-facing facade allowed the Brunsons to concentrate their design energy on the L-shaped home's interior and the pool behind the gate.

"We made the pool an L-shape to mimic the form of the home,

One of the largest construction challenges was the plumbing in the showers. "After our bathrooms were finally completed, we found water leakage coming out the base of both the showers," says Elaine. "Nothing seemed to solve the problem. It turned out it was a faulty plumbing job, so we had to open up the showers, fix the plumbing, and redo all the tadelakt." This set their timeline back by months.

The guest bathroom was enlarged and finished with Moroccan plaster.

New pine and spruce wood from the Pyrenees (both recyclable and PEFC certified) were selected for the façade of the 1,000-square-foot prefab. Smart blinds cover the windows, rigged to open and close depending on the weather forecast.

The cedar decks were left to bleach in the sun for one summer and then finished with a light gray wash. Metal Solair chairs are in keeping with the tricolor palette of black, white, and green.

Hana Bea, 6, follows the concrete pavers that lead from the front yard to the side entrance.

MDO panels the color of California poppies accent the home’s exterior.

One of the biggest challenges was working around the existing trees. "The site slopes downward, so we tried to mediate around that and curve the building so it feels as if it's hugging the trees," Megan Lin says. "It's an integral element of the design."

The ability to open the living and dining area to the pool and terrace makes the home ideal for entertaining.

The house's front door, tucked under one of many cantilevering portions of the roof, comes after passing through an interior courtyard. "It’s not just an axial arrival to the front door," says Wright. "You come in and shift to the right, and cross a small bridge over the entry water feature. Those little shifts [help] guide a visitor to see these different points of view."