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Yosemite Waterfall House: A Vacation Home Becomes a Full-Time Residence for a Nature-Loving Couple

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Yosemite Waterfall House: A Vacation Home Becomes a Full-Time Residence for a Nature-Loving Couple

April 18, 2022

Located on the edge of Yosemite National Park and situated on a cliff just above a waterfall, it was supposed to have been a rental vacation home. But after San Francisco-based Red Dot Studio transformed it into a breathtaking property—both inside and out—owners Emily Tharpe and Christopher Gebo decided to scrap their original plan and move there permanently.

Who could blame them? Aside from the jaw-dropping site and views, the home—once a warren of dark and cramped rooms with faux oak paneling and a mishmash of carpet and other flooring—now has open and bright interiors for easy living. The overall look is simple and streamlined.

That said, achieving it was challenging. There was the matter of the building’s irregular, multi-angled silhouette. There was the decrepit deck that needed to be replaced and secured to the boulder-strewn precipice. And there was the less-than-ideal budget. “Our clients have amazing taste but a limited budget,” says Camille Peignet, the lead designer on the project. “So they opted to do much of the finish work of the house themselves. They were amazing to work with as owner/builders.”

Join us for a tour of their pandemic getaway turned permanent home.

Photography by Henry Gao, unless otherwise noted.

&#8\2\20;both the biggest challenge and biggest feature was the site perche 17
Above: “Both the biggest challenge and biggest feature was the site perched at the edge of a waterfall on boulders. Placing the replacement deck on the boulders…took a bit of finesse,” says Camille. Photograph by Christopher Gebo.
the kitchen was reconfigured so that it now has access to the deck. a total of  18
Above: The kitchen was reconfigured so that it now has access to the deck. A total of 13 closets were removed in order to open up the space. The Walid Pendant Light is from Lulu & Georgia.
the couple chose ikea cabinets to keep costs down but did splurge on a terrazzo 19
Above: The couple chose Ikea cabinets to keep costs down but did splurge on a terrazzo countertop from Concrete Collaborative and Smeg appliances. The flooring is engineered wide-plank European oak from the Costa Collection. “Overall, the materials [we chose] are a little rugged, able to handle snow and sun, dirt and fun. Apart from one or two splurges like the terrazzo counter, everything was value-priced,” says Camille.
a second set of sliding doors in the living area offer another access to the wr 20
Above: A second set of sliding doors in the living area offer another access to the wraparound deck.
the main bedroom. every wall in the home is painted simply white by benjamin mo 21
Above: The main bedroom. Every wall in the home is painted Simply White by Benjamin Moore.
windows offer ample views. most of the windows in the home were enlarged during 22
Above: Picture windows offer ample views. Most of the windows in the home were enlarged during the remodel to allow in more natural light.
the guest bath, with tiles by daltile. 23
Above: The guest bath, with tiles by Daltile.
chester (who&#8\2\17;s since gone to doggie heaven) snoozes in a narrow spa 24
Above: Chester (who’s since gone to doggie heaven) snoozes in a narrow space that’s now the study. The decking is from Thermory.
the view from the study. 25
Above: The view from the study.
the couple enjoy their outdoor fire bowl in the step down sitting area of the d 26
Above: The couple enjoy their outdoor fire bowl in the step-down sitting area of the deck.
&#8\2\20;we designed to limit waste on the existing home. sometimes this me 27
Above: “We designed to limit waste on the existing home. Sometimes this meant reusing features rather than overhauling and replacing,” says Camille. For instance, the corrugated roof and exterior siding were already in place before the remodel and because they were both in good shape, the decision was made to keep them as is (other than a fresh coat of paint).

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