Mid-Century Modern IN MARIN
12 years ago, we completed a total overhaul and upgraded this mid-century gem from its original roots to modern living when this family of six relocated from Santa Monica to Marin. While respecting its architectural “bones,” strategic improvements to the interior layout, lighting and finishes, along with a new kitchen, three bedrooms, playroom and office breathed new life into this home. Fast-forward to 2018, with the house bursting at the seams and kids now in their tweens and teens, the homeowners called us back for a refresh and a renovation that added two more bedrooms with an en-suite bathroom and updated exterior spaces including the deck and poolside patio.
The lively original color scheme of turquoise and yellow encompasses the common spaces of the main level with a graphic black vine-patterned wallpaper climbing up the walls. Well-loved vintage frames were revived with uplifting new fabrics and the dining room got a sturdy outdoor rug for the family of 6 plus puppy. The newly expanded deck became a second living/dining area, allowing the family to enjoy and entertain more outdoors.
For the primary bedroom, we left the original chartreuse-hued grasscloth papered walls and again repurposed furniture frames with fresh new fabrics. A chunky, textural wool area rug grounds this peaceful space and a bold graphic print on the window treatments brings a modern, sophisticated air to it. A newly installed leafy fern wallpaper in the adjoining bathroom lends a soothing feeling.
Informed by the surrounding lush greenery, we brought the outdoors into the upper kids’ bedrooms and office with vibrant foliage and landscape inspired prints in varying hues of green featured on the window treatments and textiles. While green anchors all of them, they each have their own contrasting color from purple to gray and chartreuse.
The newly added teen’s suite downstairs opens onto the upgraded pool patio and sits next to the teen/ family hang-out room. The compact adjoining bedrooms share a punchy striped carpet and the same pattern for their window treatments, each in a different color. In addition to closets and dressers, clever storage solutions include large drawers under the beds, a fun orange locker, and a bench with cubbies.
