Patio

The bedroom overlooks the valley below.

A lounging deck and firepit off the principle bedroom.

This pergola-covered seating area, complete with hanging chairs, is off the living room.

A bohemian rattan chair with vintage pillow and wooden stool accessorize the outdoor area by the pool.

Nothing says midcentury Palm Springs like a custom pool and a backdrop of mountains.

An interior atrium with a fountain is adjacent to the master bedroom suite.

The backyard is now the most beloved spot in the house. It's great for summer entertaining or family get-togethers, and it's also kid- and dog-friendly.

The backyard features a resort-like pool. Here you can see the newer wing of the house with the additional master bedroom.

As part of a total upgrade of the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems, the team cleared up much of the equipment that had cluttered the home’s exterior and disrupted its clean lines. Satellite dishes and AC hardware were taken down from the flat roof, exposed copper pipes were pried off the stucco walls, and a utility closet that formerly blocked a clerestory window was carted off. Additionally, a new urethane roof was put in to regulate heat.

The back patio was in a sorry state. The pool was crawling with algae, the concrete pavers were cracked, and most distressing of all, the slender wood posts supporting the roof had been clad in chunky 1980s tile. Jessy and Steve were anxious about what they might find once they were removed. “You never know what’s underneath,” Jessy says. Fortunately, the tiles came off easily and had actually protected the wood from the elements. French windows, added some years ago when the garage was illegally converted into a rental, were also discarded. “They had no business being there,” says Jessy, with a laugh.

Entry Court

The new rear, two-story addition adds over 2,000 square feet of living space without sacrificing the backyard. The repetition of the curved elements, such as the tall, cement-rendered columns that band the exterior, are a subtle reference to the scale and proportions of the Victorian style.

"I believe that the beauty is in the execution. Beautiful things can be made from humble materials with thought and care,

A peaceful corner of Casa Meleku.

An outdoor grilling area on the side porch.

And now, a moment of serenity on the balcony upstairs.

A sunny, California aesthetic shines brightly in the outdoor patio.