Colors

Additional storage hidden under the breakfast nook bench helps maximize every square inch.

The view from inside the Floating House's boat dock.

The stairway is a now showcase for the home’s old-growth redwood paneling.

Acting as their own general contractors, the homeowners respectfully update architect Doug Rucker’s redwood-clad Hogan Residence.

Before: More worn carpet covered the stair treads.

The backyard is an outdoor sanctuary filled with foliage and natural wood.

"The kitchen is like stepping into a time machine, and I love it," says Thomas. "It has such a great energy to it, and it’s truly a pleasure to cook in." This was the first design project in which she didn't remodel the kitchen, though she did create an additional kitchen in the garage for photoshoots.

Food blogger and commercial director Claire Thomas honors this Brentwood home’s heartwarming history. Jack and Marilyn Zuber lived in the Brentwood home for 65 years without altering anything but the wallpaper. Thomas even has photos of them digging on the site when construction first began. Out of respect for the home, Thomas tread carefully with her updates, even keeping the old drapes and using the original paint colors as a jumping-off point in researching color palettes of the era. Her approach was to "celebrate and preserve, rather than rip out and change."

"I love the view from our bed, and had this idea of bringing the outside in through color," says Thomas. "I painted the room a rich, emerald green—Mission Jewel by Dunn Edwards—and centered the color palette on a painting by Michael Harnish of a floral arrangement by my dear friend, Yasmine Khatib." Black-and-brass Mitzi pendants float above the nightstand, while two chairs she reupholstered with Kravet velvet sit in the corner to match the dark walls. Floor-to-ceiling drapes by The Shade Store add a touch of drama.

Made custom for the Luna, the solid oak bed frame was designed so that it seemed to float above the floor: an illusion supported by the lighting beneath it.

The shower booth has a fiberglass pan, subway tile walls, and two corner shelves. The bathrooms also come equipped with a 28-gallon electric water heater from Rheem.

The kitchens are outfitted with quartz countertops with a waterfall edge and birch cabinetry, as well as a complement of utilities: an electric cooktop, a white apron-front sink, and faucets from Delta, as well as a refrigerator and washer/dryer hookups on the opposite wall.

Set into the underlying wood frame, the Luna’s insulation is specialized for metal siding and helps to avoid overtaxing the dual ductless mini split unit provided with the home.

“Most spaces, you’re looking outside. I love pretty much every angle,” said Sara. “The views created are of the property, the trees and nature. It’s really neat to see the outdoor environment change when you’re inside this house. You can see the leaves, whether they’re green or it’s fall or they’re completely gone because it’s winter.”

The kitchen features a 10-foot marble island and large windows to frame picturesque views of the waterfront landscape in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Also adding to the bright and airy feeling are two large picture windows, which the homeowners selected instead of upper cabinetry.

A picture window with a deep seat provides a place to take in the sun.

Greg utilized cross-laminated timber to construct the home and for its interior finishes.