Magnolia Garage & Revival
Contractor: Cheuk Yin Chen Construction
Interiors and Architecture: WES Architecture + Interiors
Photography: SEN CreativePublished in Dwell Online
This new house was a diamond in the rough, but it had a secret: its foundation was failing. So, we decided to give it a fresh start from the ground up—literally. As we replaced the foundation, we dug deeper, carving out an entirely new world below the main house. What was once just a basement became a comfortable family room, two new bedrooms, a pristine bath, and a functional laundry room, all connected to the main floor by a brand-new stairwell.
With the new space, every corner of the home became an opportunity. Under the stairs, a cozy daybed was tucked away, perfect for quiet reading, and a hidden drawer behind a baseboard now cleverly stores extra bedding. The home's story was woven into its furnishings, blending cherished family heirlooms from Thailand, Germany, and China with modern masterpieces like the Saarinen Womb Chair. The result was a residence that had doubled its size and felt warm yet modern, comfortable, and uniquely its own.
Even the garage was given a new purpose. Since the city wouldn't allow its removal, we transformed it into a multi-use space that could serve as both a garage and an outdoor living room. Its minimalist design mimics a classic house shape, with hidden gutters and a striking facade of black pine tar-coated redwood. Best of all, to fulfill the children's dream of a treehouse where there were no old trees, we created a magical loft above the garage. A hatch skylight offers them a secret lookout to the backyard, while a chalkboard wall encourages their creativity. Below the loft, nearly invisible pivot doors reveal clever storage, and a single-person cedar hot tub is discreetly tucked into the deck, completing this perfect picture of casual California living.
