Our clients requested a second story addition to house a private master suite, so that pre-existing bedrooms could be repurposed for growing children. A Japanese bathroom harmonizes form and function, with areas to sit and soak, a custom Asnaro wood tub and custom wood panels made in Japan. With a tub built to overflow, a pan concealed under the floor boards catches water and provides a single drain for both shower and tub. Porcelain tiles on walls are custom cut to be as seamless as possible. Limestone flooring, smooth integral color plaster walls, and a recessed cabinet behind mirror extend the minimalist style. Skylights in the master bedroom add to the feeling of being in a special place tucked away from the bustle of the lower living areas.

We also converted the front entryway into an open porch seating area with new stairs, a custom railing, and Chinese Basalt stone steps. The experience of coming home now guides you gradually from the public street into a transitional space where you can remove your shoes and set down your belongings before continuing into the interior of the house. A new central stairway conveniently placed near the entry way vertically links all three floors.

Photos by Langdon Clay