Four-Storey Family Home Gets A Stunning And Minimalist Update

We’re designed to notice and to create patterns, it’s in our nature. It’s also in our nature to notice any deviation from the pattern. When it comes to design and architecture as well as other domains, we praise these deviations and we reward the idea of thinking outside the box. Take this California house for example. It’s a four-storey family home which has been renovated in 2016 by Edmonds + Lee Architects and since there wasn’t much that could be done to the exterior of the building, the main priority became the interior design, in particular the task of finding a way to emphasize the architecture of the building rather than the ornaments that complement it.

The project was called the Remember House, suggesting a desire to never forget the past and the history of the building
The project was called the Remember House, suggesting a desire to never forget the past and the history of the building
The house sits on a sloping site with very little room between it and the neighboring properties. This proximity inspired the architects to design a dark facade
The house sits on a sloping site with very little room between it and the neighboring properties. This proximity inspired the architects to design a dark facade
Exterior staircases, decks and terraces open up the four levels towards the exterior, welcoming the outdoors in and cascading towards the backyard
Exterior staircases, decks and terraces open up the four levels towards the exterior, welcoming the outdoors in and cascading towards the backyard

The house is sandwiched between two existing buildings and has a small backyard and a deck sheltered by the exterior staircase on one side and a dividing wall on the other. It has four levels in total and the architects tried to make each one special by highlighting things like double-height spaces, beautiful furniture or the views which can be admired from basically every part of the house. Even the bathroom window is huge. That allows lots of natural sunlight to enter the spaces and to give them  a look similar to that of galleries or museum spaces where the furniture takes the place of artwork.

The interior design is minimalist and features an all-white palette, the walls representing blank canvases for the furniture to contrast with
The interior design is minimalist and features an all-white palette, the walls representing blank canvases for the furniture to contrast with
A lot of effort went into highlighting the idea of enjoyable architecture and into adding visual interest to the spaces through artwork and furniture
A lot of effort went into highlighting the idea of enjoyable architecture and into adding visual interest to the spaces through artwork and furniture
The simplicity of the interior design allows a beautiful continuity to be enjoyed throughout the house, between adjacent spaces as well as between different floors
The simplicity of the interior design allows a beautiful continuity to be enjoyed throughout the house, between adjacent spaces as well as between different floors
The views are an important part of the interior design of the rooms. The master bedroom has this huge panorama window that's simply amazing
The views are an important part of the interior design of the rooms. The master bedroom has this huge panorama window that’s simply amazing
As you can see, the color scheme is reduced to neutrals, white being the main color, often complemented by black elements
As you can see, the color scheme is reduced to neutrals, white being the main color, often complemented by black elements
The gorgeous views can also be enjoyed from the bathroom which has this lovely bathtub nook with its own wall niche and large window
The gorgeous views can also be enjoyed from the bathroom which has this lovely bathtub nook with its own wall niche and large window
Bunk beds in the children's bedroom save space and allow the room to remain open and spacious
Bunk beds in the children’s bedroom save space and allow the room to remain open and spacious
The glamorous lighting installation on the top floor can also be admired from the third floor spaces and serves as a focal point without being opulent
The glamorous lighting installation on the top floor can also be admired from the third floor spaces and serves as a focal point without being opulent
The simplest area of all would probably have to be the kitchen and dining space which are almost entirely white
The simplest area of all would probably have to be the kitchen and dining space which are almost entirely white
Certain ornate accent pieces here and there add visual interest to particular spaces like this mirror in the bathroom for example
Certain ornate accent pieces here and there add visual interest to particular spaces like this mirror in the bathroom for example
The green wall on the outdoor terrace is one of the most beautiful features of the house. Also, the views from up here are pretty amazing too
The green wall on the outdoor terrace is one of the most beautiful features of the house. Also, the views from up here are pretty amazing too