Mid-Century Modern Haven
Entertainer’s Dream in the Hills of San Carlos
Our clients, a busy family of three, reached out to us just after closing on a 2,000-square-foot mid-century home in San Carlos, CA. The property offered sweeping peninsula views—including the San Francisco skyline—and a wraparound deck and garden that were underutilized in the home’s original layout. The family loved to cook and entertain, and they wanted the interior spaces to connect effortlessly to the outdoors while creating a chef’s kitchen at the heart of the home.
The home, built in the 1960s, had low, choppy ceilings and awkward structural beams that broke up the visual flow of the rooms. We partnered closely with Holmes Structures, S.E., to vault the ceilings and rework the existing posts and beams. By wrapping them in warm wood and simplifying the ceiling planes, we introduced a cohesive architectural language that now defines the open-concept living area. The rich wood tones of the beams echo the custom walnut cabinetry we installed in the kitchen, creating a sense of unity and calm throughout the main space.
The kitchen was outfitted with every amenity a serious cook could want, from a professional-grade gas range to double wall ovens, warming drawer, wine fridge, and two separate washing-up areas, each equipped with a large sink and dishwasher. A niche near the dining table houses a fully stocked bar, and a slim, cleverly designed cabinet allows the flat-screen TV to disappear completely when not in use. Adjacent to the kitchen, the living room features a new five-foot gas fireplace clad in classic Heath tile. Two added skylights flood the space with natural light, bringing even more warmth and openness to the heart of the home.
One of the biggest structural moves was extending the window line to align with the existing roof and kitchen frontage, then inserting a large NanaWall system and matching Nana window wall. This transformation dissolves the barrier between interior and exterior, tripling the usable entertaining space and celebrating the region’s mild climate. The result is a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience, where guests and family can gather around the kitchen, whether inside or on the deck, and feel like they’re on vacation every day.
We also took advantage of a small cavity near the primary suite to design a custom, mirrored-door jewelry cabinet—hidden in plain sight. In a modestly sized home, every inch matters, so we focused heavily on flow, efficiency, and clever storage. The result is a layered, thoughtful home that feels intimate for family dinners yet comfortably accommodates gatherings of fifty.
