Maintaining the integrity of the architecture and original intent was an overriding theme. We wanted to honor the past. We enhanced the open plan northern California living concept with a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces. We were also influenced by and found inspiration for the contemporary furnishings by looking at the work of midcentury masters to create a fresh look and feel. We included furniture pieces by some of those same designers. We essentially recreated the interiors with an understanding “of that time and place” by using todays’ furnishings, materials, and forms.

The atrium is a significant room in the house. It is carried by the boldest architectural feature, the original concrete and glass ceiling. The existing interior concrete stairs in the Main House presented a material challenge. We loved the aesthetics of the old stairs but needed to create new transitions.

With the addition of new hardwood floors throughout the main level, the existing stairs appeared relatively unrefined. In order to elevate the stairs to a standard that would match the new vision for the house, the stairs were upgraded with the addition of wood treads, a glass guardrail, and repurposed and refinished wood handrails in a way that honors the original design. We even kept a vertical concrete column as a “newel” post’ that now rises almost to the new ceiling.