Houzz Tour: A Midcentury Modern House Opens Up
The renovation of a 1951 ranch house in Los Angeles expands living areas to a newly landscaped patio and pool
A New Approach to the Entry
“As I pulled up to the house, I thought, ‘The front door is in the wrong place.’ It didn’t look original,” Troyer says. It was on the other side of the porch from where it is now. “The way you drove up to the house did not reveal the door. And once inside, you entered into a small, dark hallway in the bedroom wing and had to go across the entire long living-dining room to reach the kitchen and the den,” Troyer says.
Prior to the remodel, a large planter extended 2 feet into the driveway from where it is now and continued into the carport seen on the left. “They couldn’t fit two cars into the carport so we took that out,” Troyer says.
The architect moved the front door to the other side of the porch and added bluestone leading up to it. The new stained wood door pivots on pins at the top and bottom rather than swinging on hinges at the side. Its color foreshadows the wonderful original wood that’s inside the home. Troyer also added new lights and new house numbers in a midcentury modern font. The exterior color is Rhinoceros by Benjamin Moore.
“As I pulled up to the house, I thought, ‘The front door is in the wrong place.’ It didn’t look original,” Troyer says. It was on the other side of the porch from where it is now. “The way you drove up to the house did not reveal the door. And once inside, you entered into a small, dark hallway in the bedroom wing and had to go across the entire long living-dining room to reach the kitchen and the den,” Troyer says.
Prior to the remodel, a large planter extended 2 feet into the driveway from where it is now and continued into the carport seen on the left. “They couldn’t fit two cars into the carport so we took that out,” Troyer says.
The architect moved the front door to the other side of the porch and added bluestone leading up to it. The new stained wood door pivots on pins at the top and bottom rather than swinging on hinges at the side. Its color foreshadows the wonderful original wood that’s inside the home. Troyer also added new lights and new house numbers in a midcentury modern font. The exterior color is Rhinoceros by Benjamin Moore.
Opening Up the Living Areas
A large part of the remodel involved opening up the kitchen, living room and dining area to one another. Troyer was careful to maintain the original architectural integrity of the home when he made the changes. The parquet floor and wood ceilings are original.
The house used to end where the big ceiling beam is in this picture, and the kitchen used to be closed off by a wall. The dining area had been too small for a substantial table.
A large part of the remodel involved opening up the kitchen, living room and dining area to one another. Troyer was careful to maintain the original architectural integrity of the home when he made the changes. The parquet floor and wood ceilings are original.
The house used to end where the big ceiling beam is in this picture, and the kitchen used to be closed off by a wall. The dining area had been too small for a substantial table.
Before. Here you can see the original layout, with the front entry on the right leading to a small foyer at the top of the floor plan. Below that is the living room, with the unmarked dining area at the bottom of the room squeezed in next to the den on the right. The master bedroom is next to a family room at the bottom of the plan.
After. The entry experience has been transformed. From the driveway on the right you now enter the front door on the other side of the porch and proceed into a larger foyer that opens to the living room. From the revamped carport, Troyer also added a second front entry and mudroom.
The architect reconfigured the public areas so that the foyer, great room (the former living room), dining area, bar area, kitchen and breakfast room are all open to one another.
He also reworked the master suite and family room area. He enlarged the master bedroom, moved the closet area to where the master bath had been and relocated the master bath to part of the area formerly occupied by the family room. Troyer converted the rest of the family room into a small den (or extra bedroom) that replaces the former den at the front of the house.
In addition, he upgraded the backyard with an outdoor kitchen and dining area and a pool lounging area.
Tip: Before they started remodeling, Troyer’s clients lived in the house for about a year to find out what worked for them and what didn’t. During this time, he worked with them on the plans. This is something he often recommends to his clients.
The architect reconfigured the public areas so that the foyer, great room (the former living room), dining area, bar area, kitchen and breakfast room are all open to one another.
He also reworked the master suite and family room area. He enlarged the master bedroom, moved the closet area to where the master bath had been and relocated the master bath to part of the area formerly occupied by the family room. Troyer converted the rest of the family room into a small den (or extra bedroom) that replaces the former den at the front of the house.
In addition, he upgraded the backyard with an outdoor kitchen and dining area and a pool lounging area.
Tip: Before they started remodeling, Troyer’s clients lived in the house for about a year to find out what worked for them and what didn’t. During this time, he worked with them on the plans. This is something he often recommends to his clients.
Custom Cabinetry in the Kitchen
Troyer designed all of the kitchen cabinetry, including this new bar, which creates a pleasing transition between the now-open kitchen and dining area. He used a teak veneer because teak was often used in original midcentury modern design. “I wanted the bar to look like a piece of freestanding midcentury modern furniture,” he says.
Elements of the piece such as the tall feet, sliding doors and interesting array of drawers and hardware capture the style, as does the shelf unit overhead that Troyer designed. He chose a Caesarstone counter for the piece that resembles the solid materials used in the period. It also features a bar sink and a wine refrigerator.
Troyer designed all of the kitchen cabinetry, including this new bar, which creates a pleasing transition between the now-open kitchen and dining area. He used a teak veneer because teak was often used in original midcentury modern design. “I wanted the bar to look like a piece of freestanding midcentury modern furniture,” he says.
Elements of the piece such as the tall feet, sliding doors and interesting array of drawers and hardware capture the style, as does the shelf unit overhead that Troyer designed. He chose a Caesarstone counter for the piece that resembles the solid materials used in the period. It also features a bar sink and a wine refrigerator.
“Unfortunately, a 1980s kitchen renovation was unsuccessful. It had a low dropped ceiling, can lights, white laminate cabinets, white appliances and a terra-cotta tile floor,” Troyer says. “It didn’t go with anything else in the house and it felt cramped.”
This room required the biggest intervention: Troyer not only got rid of the dropped ceiling and the wall that separated the kitchen from the dining area, but he had to adjust the roofline to keep the vault in line with the rest of the house. The ceiling is new. He also patched in new parquet flooring to match the original floors.
Opening up the room created space for a large island. Troyer added operable skylights that have solar-powered shades. The small directional lights were a good choice as they have built-in transformers and don’t require unsightly boxes that would have mucked up the ceiling.
Double oven and range: Miele; refrigerator: Sub-Zero; operable skylights: Velux; browse bar stools
This room required the biggest intervention: Troyer not only got rid of the dropped ceiling and the wall that separated the kitchen from the dining area, but he had to adjust the roofline to keep the vault in line with the rest of the house. The ceiling is new. He also patched in new parquet flooring to match the original floors.
Opening up the room created space for a large island. Troyer added operable skylights that have solar-powered shades. The small directional lights were a good choice as they have built-in transformers and don’t require unsightly boxes that would have mucked up the ceiling.
Double oven and range: Miele; refrigerator: Sub-Zero; operable skylights: Velux; browse bar stools
Troyer sourced these tiles from Heath Ceramics. He used a palette of wood, white and blue throughout the property, both indoors and out. With his cabinetry design, he aimed to maintain a midcentury modern vibe with streamlined profiles and hardware.
Troyer reconfigured an area off the kitchen into a new entry from the carport that serves as a mudroom, dog supply room and laundry room. There’s also a pantry and powder room just off this space. The cabinet paint continues the blue hues, a stained wood bench and playful midcentury modern hooks bring in wood, and hexagonal tiles add clean geometry to the floor.
Highlighting the Original Wood Ceiling and Floors
In this part of the house, the fabulous vaulted wood ceiling with exposed beams and rafters had never been altered, so what you see here is original to 1951. Troyer replaced the drywall with this V-groove wood paneling, stained so the colors in it would tie together the parquet floors and the ceiling.
The original wood-burning firebox was in good shape, and it was important to keep it intact because new wood-burning fireplaces are no longer permitted in the area. Troyer replaced the old drywall surround with tile and added the hearth and mantel. The tile here also is by Heath Ceramics and is a fun take on a brick look that fits in with the 1950s modern look. Troyer salvaged an original ceiling beam taken out during construction and repurposed it as the new mantel. The homeowners found the vintage sculpture at a midcentury modern store.
In this part of the house, the fabulous vaulted wood ceiling with exposed beams and rafters had never been altered, so what you see here is original to 1951. Troyer replaced the drywall with this V-groove wood paneling, stained so the colors in it would tie together the parquet floors and the ceiling.
The original wood-burning firebox was in good shape, and it was important to keep it intact because new wood-burning fireplaces are no longer permitted in the area. Troyer replaced the old drywall surround with tile and added the hearth and mantel. The tile here also is by Heath Ceramics and is a fun take on a brick look that fits in with the 1950s modern look. Troyer salvaged an original ceiling beam taken out during construction and repurposed it as the new mantel. The homeowners found the vintage sculpture at a midcentury modern store.
Taking out the small existing den and turning it into the foyer created ample space for a comfortable dining area overlooking the backyard.
One of the most important aspects of the remodel for the clients was enhancing the indoor-outdoor connection. Troyer designed a 25-foot-wide set of telescoping doors that open to the patio and pool.
One of the most important aspects of the remodel for the clients was enhancing the indoor-outdoor connection. Troyer designed a 25-foot-wide set of telescoping doors that open to the patio and pool.
A Backyard Designed for Cooking, Dining and Relaxing
Let’s step outside those large doors — they have a flush indoor-outdoor threshold, creating an easy transition. Troyer designed this new overhang to look as though it had always been there, continuing the interior rafters, beams and wood down the other side of a vault. The large beam in the interior marks where that roofline and the house used to end. The doors visible at the back of the photo lead to the eat-in area of the kitchen.
Let’s step outside those large doors — they have a flush indoor-outdoor threshold, creating an easy transition. Troyer designed this new overhang to look as though it had always been there, continuing the interior rafters, beams and wood down the other side of a vault. The large beam in the interior marks where that roofline and the house used to end. The doors visible at the back of the photo lead to the eat-in area of the kitchen.
Redesigning the landscaping was a major part of the project. Troyer centered the new outdoor dining area and barbecue around an existing cypress tree, with the bluestone walls continuing out here. The concrete patio is new.
Private bedroom wings flank the public areas on either side of the house, both with large doors that look out to the patio. The doors on the far right lead to the master bedroom, and those on the left lead to the guest bedroom wing.
“The pool had such a wonderful free-form shape from the era that we wanted to enhance it,” Troyer says. He created an elliptical surround (see “after” floor plan) to highlight its shape. The pool was completely resurfaced and retiled during the project, using blue tile from Heath Ceramics.
Troyer also added a teak deck on the far side of the pool. It addresses a slope change from the front of the yard to the back and was designed around a large existing tree.
Indoor-Outdoor Connection Continues in the Master Suite
The master bedroom was one place where Troyer painted the wood ceilings. “The ceiling needed some repairs and we had to decide whether to go to the trouble of trying to match it up or just painting it,” he says. “We all liked the calm, relaxed feeling of the white, and it made this room stand out from the rest of the house.”
The doors match the new living room doors and offer lovely views and access to the patio. Sliding screens tuck away into the wall. Troyer removed a large closet along the area in the right side of this photo to expand the bedroom, then reconfigured the existing family room into the master bath, a new closet and a cozy private den.
The master bedroom was one place where Troyer painted the wood ceilings. “The ceiling needed some repairs and we had to decide whether to go to the trouble of trying to match it up or just painting it,” he says. “We all liked the calm, relaxed feeling of the white, and it made this room stand out from the rest of the house.”
The doors match the new living room doors and offer lovely views and access to the patio. Sliding screens tuck away into the wall. Troyer removed a large closet along the area in the right side of this photo to expand the bedroom, then reconfigured the existing family room into the master bath, a new closet and a cozy private den.
Clerestory windows and a vaulted ceiling with skylights let in light while maintaining privacy. Troyer designed the vanity, which has two sinks.
The deep blue shower tiles are also by Heath Ceramics and convey a pool-like feel. The bench and trim are Caesarstone.
Find blue tile
Find blue tile
The den off the master suite serves as a lounge-y TV area. The organic root table adds a funky midcentury California touch, while the deep purple rug adds rich color. The sectional is made for some shoes-off stretching out.
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Find an architect or building designer near you
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple who love midcentury modern design, plus their dog
Location: Los Angeles
Size: 2,600 square feet (242 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Designers: Jeff Troyer of JWT Associates (architecture) and Kimba Hills (furnishings)
As architect Jeff Troyer looked at the photos these homeowners had sent him of the Los Angeles house they’d recently purchased and wanted to renovate, he got excited about the possibility of working on it. The 1951 home was a custom design with vaulted ceilings and sat on a large lot with a free-form pool. “My clients had never lived in a midcentury modern house before, but it was something they wanted to do as part of living in Los Angeles,” Troyer says. “They knew they’d come across something special here.”
Earlier renovations, however, hadn’t honored the home’s original spirit and needed to be corrected. The clients also wanted the home opened up to be more compatible with their lifestyle. They hired Troyer to do the remodel, which included improving the front entry; adding a carport entry and mudroom; taking down the walls in the living room, dining area and kitchen; reconfiguring the master suite and den; and redesigning the landscaping and pool area.