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A Modern Family Home Takes The Place Of A Beautiful But Old House

By Simona Ganea
Simona Ganea on Homedit
Simona Ganea Interior Design & Content Contributor
Simona is an interior design and décor writer for Homedit. Since 2011, she has been writing about interior design, DIY solutions, and the latest trends in home architecture.
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Every home has its own special story and history and in some cases that story starts early on and has several distinct chapters. Some homes are older than they look while others are fresh and new. The story of this house from San Mateo, US starts in 2016 when studio Klopf Architecture decided it was time for the old structure that occupied the site to make room for a new and more modern one. Initially they showed an interest in preserving and using parts of the old house but the idea didn’t prove to be practical in any way. As a result, this L-shaped family home was built from scratch.

The backyard and the swimming pool are positioned to the side of the house rather than the rear
The backyard and the swimming pool are positioned to the side of the house rather than the rear
The house has an L-shaped floor plan with interior zones that open up to the decks and the pool
The house has an L-shaped floor plan with interior zones that open up to the decks and the pool
The swimming pool is framed by various features such as an outdoor dining area, a fire pit and a lounge space
The swimming pool is framed by various features such as an outdoor dining area, a fire pit and a lounge space
A tall and solid fence frames the lot offering privacy and providing a nice backdrop for all the greenery
A tall and solid fence frames the lot offering privacy and providing a nice backdrop for all the greenery

The new house fits the lot better and has a contrasting nature. On one hand the house respects the neighborhood and blends in with the other homes but on the other hand its unusual orientation (to the side rather than the rear) makes it stand out. A small backyard pool occupies most of the outdoor space. Further more, this multi-generation living space features a strong and visible connection between the indoor and the outdoor sections. This connection is ensured by full-height windows, large sliding glass doors and large and open spaces.

The overhanging roof extends outdoors and offers shelter for the dining space and poolside area
The overhanging roof extends outdoors and offers shelter for the dining space and poolside area
Although the overall design and architecture of the house are simple, there are also quirky details such as the orange front door
Although the overall design and architecture of the house are simple, there are also quirky details such as the orange front door
A garage big enough for two cars faces the street and acts as a buffer space between the road and the private areas
A garage big enough for two cars faces the street and acts as a buffer space between the road and the private areas
The living and dining area inside the house is large, open and has glass walls on either side
The living and dining area inside the house is large, open and has glass walls on either side
The contrast between the concrete flooring and the wooden ceiling is a strong but also very pleasant one
The contrast between the concrete flooring and the wooden ceiling is a strong but also very pleasant one
The kitchen is open and modern and has clerestory windows which let in light without minimizing the storage space
The kitchen is open and modern and has clerestory windows which let in light without minimizing the storage space
The master bedroom has large windows facing the garden and pool area and long curtains for privacy
The master bedroom has large windows facing the garden and pool area and long curtains for privacy
A simple bench sits by the windows on the side wall of the bedroom, offering a cozy seating area
A simple bench sits by the windows on the side wall of the bedroom, offering a cozy seating area
The second bedroom, although small, doesn't lack natural light thanks to the unusual distribution of the windows
The second bedroom, although small, doesn’t lack natural light thanks to the unusual distribution of the windows
The main bathroom is quite large and includes a separate glass shower, a double sink vanity and plenty of storage space
The main bathroom is quite large and includes a separate glass shower, a double sink vanity and plenty of storage space
The smaller bathroom features a practical and space-efficient tub and shower combo
The smaller bathroom features a practical and space-efficient tub and shower combo