Ranch house remodeled with elegance and originality - 1991-1992 Western Home Awards

Sunset, Oct, 1991

THE METICULOUSNESS of this remodel won the jury's respect. Juror Hood called it "a typical suburban tract house, adapted to current space needs with richness, elegance, and originality."

The owners, one of whom teaches piano at home, wanted more space and flexibility. The architects improved the traffic flow by removing walls between such major rooms as the study and the living room; now recitals can spread out into both rooms.

To make space for a new breakfast area and larger entry, the kitchen was moved to the side of the house. Front additions were wrapped around a garden to create an elegant entry courtyard; echoing what the Stinson Beach house owners said about their own courtyard (page 128), juror Simon called this area "the most important room in the house."

Inside, the living room's fireplace wall captures the most attention with a 16-foot-long free-form walnut mantelpiece and rough-cut Yosemite slate hearth by interior designer Gere Kavenaugh of Los Angeles, a former WHA juror.