LOS ANGELES

At 23 years old, self-taught designer Mariah Hoffman set out to craft her own 156-square-foot sanctuary.

Mariah Hoffman stands in the doorway of the 156-square-foot home she designed and built for herself over a span of five years. "It was hard, it really was," says Mariah. "Every phase tested me."

Husband-and-wife team Elaine and Stanley Yang of real estate and development firm Mini Inno discovered this 2,000-square-foot ranch home, and set about transforming it into an idyllic weekend retreat. Built in 1966, the home sits on 3.6 acres and, while the bones were good, it was a bit outdated in terms of style. The revitalized, Moroccan-inspired retreat is a sanctuary worthy of its soothing surroundings.

Bauer Brothers Salvage

Before: Modus Development bought the 1921 house in Highland Park in 2021, for its proximity to York Blvd and walking distance to Occidental College.