Arbol: Glassell Park Mid-Century Remodel

Mount Washington, Los Angeles, CA; completed 2014

Client: Sound and music editor for animation

Location, location, location! This intimate home, originally built in the 50s on a hillside lot, couldn’t be enlarged, so in order to add rooms, the previous owners divided up the interior into smaller and smaller spaces.  In order to not sacrifice function, we instead removed the wall between the living area and kitchen, combining functions, and creating a larger room. This opened up the house, giving it a more spacious, cohesive feel, and, most importantly, connecting it to the expansive hillside exterior.  Skylights, added in the corridor, brought in more natural light. 

The kitchen was remodeled and updated.  White cabinetry was combined with walnut veneer to subtly delineate counter space from millwork.  Using a strategy common in mid-century design, a peninsula, acting as a formal buffer, helps define the workspace of the kitchen.  Shelving over the peninsula was added to supplement storage, but left open, in order to further integrate the spaces.  A new server window allows food and drinks to be served to the expansive deck outside. 

The bathroom was tiny and largely consumed by a built-in tub.  Common for this period of home, the hot water heater was in a closet off the hall, adjacent to the bath.  Since every square foot of interior space was valuable, we moved the hot water heater outside, and gave that area over to the bath.  Removing the tub and installing a glass-enclosed shower opens the room up to a larger layout.  Walnut cabinetry and warm-toned tile echo the finishes in the kitchen down the hall.  The corner of the bath faces to a turn in the road, so we installed glass block in that location to allow light in while correcting for any sound and privacy issues.

Looking to redesign your home? Contact us about your remodel or new home build.

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