This one-story 1960s ranch-style home had comparably little going for it beyond being situated on a pretty flat corner lot and a western private backyard orientation with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. What some in the business saw as barriers, the dasMOD team saw as potential and an opportunity to add space and function. The team was motivated to create more living space and a greater sense of connection to the outdoors.
Erik Gilmer, dasMOD Co-Founder shares, “The fun of this project was that it actually was a mid-century home to begin with. Our team expanded upon the original footprint to create a new modern home by blending the old with the new.”
With this in mind, dasMOD used the renovation to bring the outdoors in, as well as encourage easy and direct access to the private backyard and pool courtyard. The team added approximately 1,100 square feet of living space, creating two guest quarters and shifting a two-car into a 3-car garage, plus adding the bonus of RV/boat parking.
Two thoroughly individual centerpieces which are genuinely unique to this home include a Palm Springs sourced turquoise stone fireplace, and a custom-designed window. The one-of-a-kind steel framed hexagon window invites a double-take, while the fireplace, complete with a structurally-sound and cantilevered ceramic bench, invites people to take a seat. The decorative wood finish around the fireplace, and found throughout the home is custom-milled oak and designed and fabricated by The Brown Studio, Inc.
Lindsay Brown, Co-Founder of The Brown Studio, Inc. explains, “The Clearview project provided an opportunity to enhance the character of a vintage mid-century home by crafting simple, yet functional elements such as; flush pantry doors within a full height hallway of wood cladding, mahogany pivoting front door, wood slat kitchen ceiling, cantilevered fireplace, and steel and glass partition walls and windows. These "touchy-feely" elements bring a level of character that respects an bygone era of California Modern Design.”
The approximately 4,300 SF of outdoor living space includes a pool, hot tub, wrap-around deck and fire pit, while the spectacular view creates the perfect backdrop for entertaining, or simply taking advantage of the North County mild mediterranean climate and diverse flora that surrounds the half-acre lot.
Preserving the existing concepts of the classic post-war, mid-century modern design, Clearview is a great example of thoughtful renovation targeting today’s design savvy consumer.
dasMOD took care in their landscaping plan by designing around an existing tree, a vestige of the previous landscape and the relationship shared between residence and site providing a warmth with seamless flow from the inside to the outside.
The dramatic front door made of African Mahogany is a custom component incorporated in the Clearview project. The Brown Studio, Inc. an architectural and interior design + build firm, and partner with dasMOD, offers a hand-crafted approach through their design studio and fabrication workshop.
By converting a closed-in, classically boxy home into an expanded open floor plan, adding expansive western-facing windows and disappearing walls, the result provides improved circulation and access—not to mention, the perfect home for a family who enjoys entertaining.
Exquisite custom features include a custom front door and a living room hexagon window. The Dining & Kitchen Area showcase flat panel cabinetry and custom milled oak trim throughout the home. The cantilevered fireplace made with custom milled oak and Palm Springs sourced turquoise tile creates a unique centerpiece of the home.
A full guest suite with its own exterior and separate entry can double as an in-law unit. It is placed near the garage entry and across the pool courtyard from the master suite. This separation helps frame the outdoor space and provides a feeling of independence.
The design components are consistent with the rest of the home, including custom windows and doors, Ann Sacks ceramic tile, custom oak vanities and antique brass fixtures. The light fixture by Mooi, purchased from Design Within Reach, adds a unique and playful element to the space.
In collaboration with The Brown Studio, Inc. design team, dasMOD created a show-stopping kitchen, an entertainer’s paradise with a high-design feel, and top-of-the-line kitchen appliances and fixtures. To fit the huge dimensions of the island, a Carrara marble top was chosen providing the ideal work space for cooking and ultimate flexibility for family meals and entertaining.
With the foundation of good design, the use of calming colors, the installation of metallic wallpaper, and Allied Maker sconces, a retreat-like atmosphere is created in the master bedroom.
Sara Simon, Interior stylist and Founder of Handsome Salt, focused on keeping the master suite light and airy, with a fun, tropical vibe, wanting the space to feel like an escape to an oasis, blending the master suite into the lush landscape of the backyard and pool deck. The master bath offers additional custom features with American walnut custom vanities, Venetian plaster in a concrete finish throughout the shower, a Wetstyle trough sink, and a Victoria & Albert tub with antique brass fixtures from Australia-based Brodware.
The transformation of this jaw-dropping home must be seen to fully appreciate. And the best place to enjoy the spectacular view? From the oversized deck, of course. Here, the CLEAR VIEW seems to go on forever.