In West Marin, homes are often defined by the people who build them as much as by the designers who envision them. Instead, they take shape through a network of builders, craftspeople, artists, and makers whose work is deeply tied to the landscape. For the renovation of a 1959 ranch-style house, Los Angeles-based Commune Design embraced that collective spirit, working closely with local artisans to transform a modest midcentury rambler into a warm and layered family retreat.
Originally built in 1959 and expanded in 1970, the 3,100-square-foot property comprises a main house, detached garage, art studio, and writer’s cabin. While the home’s cedar-clad exterior and original footprint were largely preserved, the interiors were fully reimagined. Throughout, Commune assembled a palette that feels distinctly Northern Californian: locally salvaged Monterey cypress from Arborica, cast resin, custom millwork, redwood furniture, layered textures, and colorful textiles.
The project is also a testament to the region’s longstanding culture of craft. Builder Louis Ptak oversaw the construction with meticulous attention to detail. “Every board-and-batten and tongue-and-groove panel was carefully considered,” the designers note. The result is a house that feels less designed than carefully stewarded: a once-modest midcentury rambler brought back to life through thoughtful material choices, exceptional craftsmanship, and a careful attention to place until it feels as though it has stood this way for generations.
Photography by Stephen Kent Johnson for Commune Design.
For more from Commune, see our posts:
- Organic Architecture, Turned Up: A 1960s West Marin Retreat Redesigned by Commune
- A Hollywood Director’s Refined Off-the-Grid Cabin by Commune Design
- Kitchen of the Week: French Mid-Century Style in Santa Monica
- Expert Advice: Breaking the Rules with Commune Design
- 7 Ideas to Steal from the Manufactory in SF by Commune Design
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