Naiwe

Designed by award-winning Sant Architects, this four-bedroom vacation rental near Topanga elevates the concept of a mountain retreat to new heights—from its raw, concrete facade and hillside pool, to the Bauhaus-inspired interiors that feature expansive glass walls that overlook the Pacific Ocean. The clean, architectural lines are expressed using iron beams, concrete slabs, timber-panelled walls, and glass, and the sprawling, open-plan living area features a slide-away fireplace and enormous windows that seamlessly transition the property from cosy winter retreat to breezy summer getaway.

Northcote House by Mitsuori Architects / kitchen

While updated, the kitchen maintains its connection to its mid-century roots through pops of color used against a mostly neutral background.

Flansburgh's office and study still contain his original built-in desks and shelving.

The architect dressed the living room with a soft palette of cream and blush tones. The parquet flooring offers subtle pattern and more texture for the space.

The green backsplash tiles are vintage, reclaimed from another project.

At dawn

The charred cedar exterior gently basks in the Alaskan sun.

A special finish brings out the grain in the kitchen's walnut cabinetry.

One of the most important aspects of the renovation was to achieve the same high quality of crafted finish that had defined the original building—and much of the budget was allocated to skilled craftsmen, bricklayers, and carpenters. “Obviously, this has a huge impact on a renovation project like this,” explains Thomas.

Curtis completely overhauled the shelving, changing the shapes of the niches and covering them in micro-cement.