Location

Larkspur

Date

2015-16

Description

This site is situated in a steep, heavily wooded canyon near central Larkspur. The property included an old shingle style home with a newer addition. The clients were seeking a better integration of the existing elements, and a clarification of the sequence of public spaces with some new eye-catching detailing to tie the project together. We re-ordered the spaces by creating a large opening between the Kitchen and the Great Room, bringing the fireplace and small sitting area to a central place, and moving the less-formal Family Room – Media space to a wing off the kitchen.

The existing structure posed a challenge in that after removing walls to open up the space, it needed support for the roof of the great room. Paired ceiling beams were added at the sides of a new central ridge skylight, and the beams were supported on decorative new columns created in a classical arts-and-crafts style. The paired columns framed the opening to the guest wing and bedrooms on one end and framed the opening to the kitchen at the other end. The new fireplace was placed between the entry space and the great room to separate the functions of arrival from the main living activities.

Large sliding doors now open to a rebuilt stone patio that was raised due to flood concerns and to improve the view of the lush enclosed rear yard. The upstairs Master Suite was redesigned with a change in bed location and the conversion of the old unused soaking tub into a generous shower. A side-porch and patio were redesigned to better serve the outdoor cooking needs and to provide a smaller courtyard for outdoor dining.

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