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Before: The foyer was enclosed with locking doors and gutted to add new insulation and wiring. The original stairs were intact and just needed polishing.

While brick is what was expected for the neighborhood, Mandel used a brick shingle for the extruded extension that occupies what was originally the side yard.

"When this unit became available in 2021, we jumped at the chance of owning a piece of Californian architectural history in a wonderful community,

A sensitivity to color and texture drove many design decisions. In the family room, a plywood climbing wall adds a playful touch.

A floating Ipe bench now sits outside the front door, juxtaposed against siding painted Benjamin Moore “Wrought Iron.” The glass panels beside the door now have reeded glass.

The fence surrounding the property consists of wire mesh that will become a visual screen as it is overtaken by ivy, and gabion walls that contrast with the sleek materiality of the architecture.

A custom sofa anchors the space, with a custom rug from Armadillo & Co. A Wittus fireplace was designed into the custom millwork.

Cabinets are all lined with hardwood, and the walls themselves are clad in Blackbart timber with a unique paint treatment that allows the texture to shine through to add warmth.

Sliding glass doors connect the second bedroom to the landscaped backyard.

At a 1954 midcentury home in the West hills of Portland, Penny Black Interiors deftly updated the residence with standout cabinetry, carefully-selected tile, and wallpaper galore. The renovation balanced preserving the home's innate character and updating its function for modern life.