TREETOP CRAFTSMAN

This home opens up like a greeting card. Between the quirky artisanal collections of the homeowner and the formality yet playfulness of the architecture, a happy place is born. Set on a tree-lined street in an eccentric garden on an eclectic block, this decade-long transformation unfolds.

The initial design was a two-story stone and stucco addition. On the first floor, the existing butler’s kitchen was enlarged to create a dynamic, open communal cocina with mudroom, pantry, outdoor access, and direct garage entry. Central to this space is a spiral staircase that leads to the second story, where a pyramid atrium library, prepared for guests, is flooded with natural light from all angles. This room serves as a bridge between the primary suite and guest bedroom, with an office built above the existing garage.

In time, the owner—an author and professor emeritus—recognized the need for housing her expansive book collection, as well as a quiet creative retreat and covered front porch. As a native of Santa Barbara, California, the client has long admired its Craftsman architecture. With this inspiration, the details of the work demonstrate a true craftsmanship of materials. Red oak with varying stain finishes, inlays, and hardware used in the custom built-ins reflect that era of building. The kitchen flaunts a honed black granite café countertop, handmade Motawi tile backsplash, floating shelves, a highboard with velvet-lined drawers, and a lowered cooking station for ease of use.

From the outside, the front porch proudly welcomes you with its true dimensional cedar structure, copper roof, step lights, rain chains, and stonework. Looking up, the third-floor attic was expanded by lifting the middle roof and adding two large dormers. This space is now a quiet escape, complete with another custom library, office, daybed, and cedar closet.

Additionally, the second-floor library and guest room are outfitted with the same level of consideration, including a custom built-in bed with storage, built-in dressers, bookshelves, and desk. Lastly, the primary and hall baths were carefully crafted to serve the needs of a modern family.

Throughout the house, consistent detailing fuses Craftsman style with curvilinear features. Conveying a sense of nostalgic sophistication, the architecture is complex yet intuitive, evoking warmth, comfort, and ease