Tree house

Exterior

Exterior

Living Room

Black accent pieces create the illusion of a black and white kitchen in the home of San Francisco architect Cass Calder Smith. A black reading nook coordinates perfectly with the stainless steel countertops and white cabinetry.

A custom, Japanese-inspired cast concrete ladder leads to the green roof, where native plants and grasses thrive in the Johannesburg heat. The powder-coated steel railing adds a touch of visual warmth.

Techo-Bloc’s Industria 600 x 100 pavers in Greyed Nickel add a refined rhythm to this circular patio that punctuates a vast expanse of grass on the edge of a lake. The regularity of the gridded tiles and the perfectly formed circle are pleasingly juxtaposed by the rough-hewn stone firepit.

Floor Plan of Tranquil Terraced Piedmont by Turnbull, Griffin, & Haesloop Architects

A built-in desk sits right off the living area, beside plenty of closed storage. Baker's team thought that placing the pendant off center complemented the home's asymmetry.

aesarstone counters in the kitchen, which best highlights the homes mix of light and wood. White conversion varnish was used on the sink side of the island for durability, with wood on the side of entertainment.

A full-length bench extends beneath a wall of windows in the dining area, with a wet bar tucked into the corner. Custom wallpaper was used on the back wall of the bar.

The two-bedroom ADU features built-ins in every room

The husband requested a pass-through window in the kitchen for easy entertaining.

Oversize wicker pendants from Pottery Barn and built-in seating create a casual vibe for the outdoor eating area. The table is from Teak Warehouse.

"Eric and Chris, our landscape architects, created the feeling of a house with a view without any view at all," says the wife. "We interact with the outdoors indoors, as well as out."

Black-stained planters line the space leading to the bedroom wing. The monochromatic palette continues with oak floors from Warren Christopher, rough-sawn ceiling planks, and walls painted Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace.

At one end of the L-shaped terrace, interior designer Martine Brisson included room for a full outdoor kitchen so the family could prepare meals without stepping inside during the warmer months.