From the outside, it’s impossible to tell that this house has been around for years. The low wall that spans its exterior is coated in fresh white paint, interrupted only by a recessed slab of cast-in-place concrete. A line of lithe bamboo stalks lend a refreshing lightness to the contemporary structure. The house is actually on its third renovation. The former structure, though not entirely passé in architectural style, suffered from weathered wallpaper, dated interior arches, and unkempt gardens.

The original open-plan living and dining areas were updated with cove lighting, along with streamlined angles and bold color schemes, but several facets of the structure were up for a much-needed redo, including dated bathroom tiles, rundown kitchen shelves, and bare gardens. Apart from the obvious aesthetic problems, the renovation also focused on space planning.

At the core of the home is the family room, separated from the living room by a discreet sliding door. The family room links all four bedrooms and opens out into an elegantly landscaped courtyard. This room is constantly bathed in morning and afternoon light, even during overcast days—a surprising departure from its former incarnation as a badly lit and unsuitably located maid’s room. And because the house’s bedrooms are located in a separate wing, the owner was able to install large windows in the bedrooms and bathrooms, providing every space with ample lighting, ventilation, and views to landscaped areas outdoors.


These homes also feature cool contemporary styles:

• Cool Contemporary Style: Smooth Strokes
• Cool Contemporary Style: Fashionably Vintage
• Cool Contemporary Style: Small Start
• Cool Contemporary Style: Home Work
• Cool Contemporary Style: Tres Chic