This 1951 Lafayette, California gem had not been significantly improved for 70 years, but its mid-century bones were strong. The upstairs had a primary suite off a common area with a small kitchen, living and dining rooms, and two additional bedrooms, and was surrounded by a wraparound porch with views to the Berkeley Hills. Downstairs, a former garage had been changed to a series of odd interior rooms, all with uncomfortably low ceilings.
The core of the house felt very authentic to its time which is what the owners found most appealing. However, the pine-clad walls evoked a bit more of a mid-century ‘cabin’ vibe than that of an elegant family home. The goal of the project was to preserve the authentic mid-century legacy while bringing a higher level of sophistication to the home.
Updated systems, windows, and finishes were chosen to maintain the spirit of the original design while making the home comfortable for modern life. In the living room, the original prominent brick fireplace with a unique asymmetric curve features a new, monochromatic veneer of plaster and paint, as well as a stone hearth, maintaining the unique visual element but with a toned down and more elegant presence. Original open-beam, natural wood ceilings were extended into the new areas using repurposed, salvaged beams. Replacing wood-paneled walls with sheetrock brought an elevated sophistication to the home while enhancing the original ceiling as the visual centerpiece. A poured terrazzo floor over the existing concrete slab resurrects a common flooring material from the era the house was built and supports the family’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
The upstairs was transformed into three bedrooms and 1½ bathrooms, an expanded kitchen, two home offices, and the renovated primary suite. Downstairs evolved into a guest suite and family rec room with media center and wet bar. By capturing the space of the old wraparound porch and raising the ceilings downstairs, the house technically went from 2,600sf to 4,100sf—all within the same building footprint. The design creates a comfortable home for a family of five, with more room for entertaining and age-appropriate separation of the older kids’ and parents’ bedrooms. A refinished pool and updated landscape design complement and complete the gracious updating of this mid-century treasure.
