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Meg Home | Olson Kundig

Maintaining a connection to their wooded backyard was an important consideration for the Edstroms. The back wall is designed to let in as much light and air as possible.

Within the walls of this updated 1920s Spanish Colonial home is a world-class art collection that includes the work of James Turrell and Jenny Holzer. The abode was meant to contrast with the creative couple’s main residence in San Francisco—a Victorian on a steep hill. The Los Angeles getaway, designed by Síol Studios, was renovated to embody indoor/outdoor living while maintaining the original charm with beautiful bones and arched windows. The placement of the art was an organic process—some were designed in place, while others were placed afterwards such as the Barry McGee surfboards in the dining room.

The great room is designed for indoor/outdoor living. The floor-to-ceiling glass wall at the back of the space (which is just a slice of the all-glass rear) includes a bi-fold NanaWall door system that opens the home to an outdoor terrace and the lush surroundings.

"In some ways the strongest attributes of the house are probably the outside spaces,” says Court. The original cedar deck was replaced with Kebony decking that wraps around a century-old cherry tree. A pair of Andy rockers from Mamagreen face an ottoman by Kenneth Cobonpue. The accordion doors are a NanaWall SL-60 system that allows the main room of the guesthouse to open completely to the deck.

Kitchen

Living Room Kitchen open floor plan. Reclaimed wide plank fir flooring, vintage Erik Buch stools, Nick Alain chandelier, vintage Moroccan rug, NanaWall doors, reclaimed pantry doors from New Orleans, vintage European industrial lights, reclaimed structural post 12x12 from Bay Bridge east span.

Big Chill, Founder, Orion Creamer in kitchen with family.

The architects swapped a second-floor balcony for a first-floor deck.

Burns commissioned New York City–based firm MESH Architecture to remodel the residence in 2008. Since the property was flanked by homes on both sides, the team designed an interior courtyard, which allowed the home to more easily connect with the outdoors.

Once a dilapidated garage, this flexible garden studio in Seattle now serves as an all-weather hub for Ella Dillon, and her 10-year-old daughter, Isabelle. After moving into the Craftsman-style home in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood in 2006, Ella was ready to expand into the garden studio—envisioning it as a place for Isabelle to do arts and crafts, for friends and family to gather—and as additional storage for games, gardening tools, and exercise equipment.

Opening glass NanaWall systems facilitate indoor outdoor living in nearly every room, including the bedrooms, bathrooms, and common areas.

Twin houses face off in La Jolla across wide-open walls and decking. The design held such appeal that the architect claimed one 2inn for himself.

Rendering of the upcoming Blu Homes model home in Southern California, opening Fall 2013. The modified Breezehouse design sports 2,300 square feet of decking.