David Henig, Architect has completely transformed this midcentury modern house that is situated in Atherton, an idyllic town on the San Francisco Peninsula, California. This four-bedroom home presented an exciting challenge for the architect — a personal family residence for his wife, and their two daughters. Nestled into a sloping site, it imparts a treehouse-like feel, yet with plenty of privacy and midcentury charm.

This midcentury home’s exterior facade is clad with gray-washed cedar siding, and flanking the living room are two deck additions with metal railings. The backyard’s original wood retaining wall has been replaced with an eye-catching gabion wall. After residing here for almost seven years, the family uncovered the home’s hidden potential, a journey that included stripping walls and tearing out the shag carpeting to make this dwelling feel more habitable.

What We Love: This beautiful midcentury modern house offers an incredible renewal with walls of glass and a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. The back of this home is especially stunning, with the expansive new deck additional ideally located just off the kitchen. We are also loving all of the floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of nature while flooding the interiors with natural light.  

Tell Us: What are your thoughts on the renovation of this midcentury home? What details did you find most appealing? Please let us know your feedback in the Comments!

Note: Have a look at a couple of other amazing home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign from the state of California: Midcentury ranch home in Mandeville Canyon gets beautifully refreshed and Serene woodsy setting inspires a stylish family home in Northern California.

Above: The architect preserved this home’s original covered walkway, yet improved upon its curb appeal. To do so, the architect removed the asphalt that had previously led up to this dwelling. In its place, native landscaping helps to improve the overall aesthetic. Newly integrated outdoor lighting illuminates the aggregate walkway, navigating the path in the evening.

Above: The hardwood floors are white oak that has been stained. The company that installed and finished them is Big Oak Floors in San Mateo, California. The fixtures are from Moooi. On the walls, the painting straight ahead is by artist Mitchell Johnson, while the painting to the left is by artist Linda Guenste. The fireplace wall is a Venetian plaster with zinc emulsion. It was fabricated by Rye Hudak of Level Five Design. The sofa was purchased from Limn furniture in San Francisco.

The upper level of this home encompasses the living, dining and kitchen spaces. All of these living zones open out to the backyard through sliding walls of glass. In the kitchen, the butcher block countertop on the island is composed of maple. A raised walnut slab is the perfect spot for entertaining.

Above: All four bedrooms in this midcentury home are located on the lower level. In the master bedroom, the Loewen premium quality wood window and door system extend open to the bluestone patio and backyard. A gabion retaining wall is filled with concrete waste, which was created during the construction phase and faced with local stone.

Above: In the master bedroom, a wall of cabinetry is covered with Truwood, a veneer composed of oak. To the left, a door leads to the master bathroom.

Above: The bathroom vanity cabinets are covered in Truwood, while the countertops are white marble. On the floor, a mix of wood and black tile from Heath Ceramics.

Above: The bathtub surround is Ipe wood.

Photos: Eric Rorer Photography