The home’s unassuming finishes appealed to its new owners, and many of these were carefully restored during the renovation. The project was also an exercise of taking away. For example, the air conditioning was removed as deep overhangs and existing ventilation panels over each window proved adequate for passive cooling.

With the kitchen as the focal point of the living space, care was taken to create a design that did not overwhelm the compact space. Removing a wall separating the kitchen from the main space and enlarging an existing window brought more light into the heart of the home.

A new island serves as the main inside gathering area. Open plywood shelves float in front of frameless glass, framing garden views and providing a display for the owner’s ceramic collections.

Serenity was the goal of this bathroom design, beginning with a new skylight to fill the space with natural light. A blue plywood and laminate vanity floats over the polished concrete floor below, playing off the existing neutral house finishes. At the same time, tile colors were selected to unify the small space visually.

The master bedroom, meanwhile, now benefits from a large glass window at the foot of the bed with sunrise views over the city beyond.

Guests stay in the detached accessory dwelling unit, which has been converted from a former garage. This flexible space is also used as a study, den, and library, providing a sanctuary that opens into a shady part of the garden.