Inspire

In the back, ferns and other shade-friendly plants thrive beneath the home’s deep overhangs.

As grand as it ever was this renovated Eichler home in San Rafael, California, exudes warm light into the California hills. Photo by: Scott Hargis

Klopf Architecture, Arterra Landscape Architects, and Flegels Construction joined forces to refurbish this Palo Alto Eichler. Standout features include a fully opening glass wall, an outdoor living area with a kitchen and fire pit, and furniture by Kayu and Primary Pouf.

Built in the early 1970s, the house's kitchen, living, and dining areas were originally divided into three distinct zones. In order for this great room to flow as one, Klopf Architecture removed the glass doors and solid walls separating the enclosed atrium from the kitchen and living room. A Herman Miller trade poster, Design Within Reach book tower, and IKEA sofa mingle in the space.

To match the original mahogany paneling, a set of new cabinets, crafted by by Benchmarc Woodworking, are installed in the kitchen. Dark bronze anodized doors from Fleetwood open up the space to the courtyard.

Outer Space Landscape Architects refreshed the courtyard with new hardscaping.

The beanbag chairs and outdoor sofa and chairs are from West Elm and the Case Study Museum Bench is from Modernica.

Cal and Macy enjoy a snack from Mom at the almost 14-foot-long walnut slab table sourced from Arborica in Marshall, California. The wood came from a tree that fell into a Palo Alto, California, street. A trio of Tom Dixon Beat Lamps provide the perfect counterpoint to a slew of black plastic Eames shell chairs from Herman Miller.

In the den,

A cream-colored Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams sectional designates the living area in this open concept, as does a Kochi Pattern rug from the Taj Collection at Area Rug Factory.

"The owners really wanted to make sure that the furniture was inviting and interesting, but still felt like it fit the space,

Lanscape designer Jack Kiesel opted to use succulents in the front garden for their low water use, a plus in Southern California, and also for their aesthetics.

"The home is special because it feels curated, but very personal,

Set beneath a skylight, the fourth bedroom has currently been transformed into a study.

Whitewashed surfaces create a bright and airy interior.

An "in-between" space creates protected circulation between the separate volumes. A sheet of glass frames the view outside. "The ceilings in these spaces are all made of oak slats that, through the treatment with iron sulfate, turn naturally black because of the high content of tannin," said Stinessen. "The airy and black ceilings retreat from the visual connection to the outside."

From this covered area, you can enter into either the main building cluster or the annex. "It functions as a protected and semi-tempered zone (without particular heating) between the main part and the annex," says Stinessen. "It also provides an additional layer to the natural ventilation during summertime, even on windy or rainy days."