You'd Never Guess This Renovated Mid-century Cabin Was In The Middle Of LA

“We were looking for a small house on a big lot,” says designer Kathryn McCullough—and she and her husband, Andrew Bulbrook, found just that in this 1955 cabin in the quiet, nature-filled Mount Washington neighborhood.

Architect Linda Taalman worked with landscape architecture firm Terremoto and homeowners Kathryn McCullough and Andrew Bulbrook to remodel and expand this 1955 cabin in the woods of Mount Washington. "The design intent was to speak to Kemper Nomland, Jr., who was the original architect, experimenting with the wood frame and ceiling," Your Taalman. — Architect Linda Taalman worked with landscape architecture firm Terremoto and homeowners Kathryn McCullough and Andrew Bulbrook to remodel and expand this 1955 cabin in the woods of Mount Washington. “The intent of the design was to speak to Kemper Nomland, Jr., who was the original architect, by experimenting with the wood frame and the ceiling,” says Taalman.

In addition to expanding the main house, the renovation added an ADU, which was converted from an existing carport. "Linda was clear from the beginning that she did not want to imitate the original home," Katherine says about accessories. "She wanted to change the language so that it was something fresh and new." — In addition to expanding the main house, the renovation added an ADU, which was converted from an existing carport. “Linda was clear from the beginning that she didn’t want to imitate the original home,” says Kathryn of the additions. “She wanted to change the language so that it was something fresh and new.”

Originally designed by architect Kemper Nomland Jr., who designed Case Study House #10 in Pasadena with his father, the compact 850-square-foot house needed some updating and extra space for their growing family, but Catherine and Andrew saw a medieval house as an ideal starting point.

The property is almost one-third of an acre, so the team worked with Terremoto on the landscape scheme, which included the addition of a new swimming pool. "We wanted to create a dynamic, free movement through the site that provides different zones for different activities as a continuous flow," Your Taalman. — The property is almost one-third of an acre, so the team worked with Terremoto on the landscape scheme, which included the addition of a new swimming pool. “We wanted to create a dynamic, free movement through the site that gave different zones for different activities as a continuous flow,” says Taalman.

In addition to adding space for the children's bedrooms, the addition to the original cabin also enlarged the kitchen and moved the bedrooms to the back of the house so the main living areas could enjoy the view. — In addition to adding space for the children’s bedrooms, the addition to the original cabin also enlarged the kitchen and moved the bedrooms to the back of the house so the main living areas could enjoy the view.

He works together with architect Linda Taalman and a landscape architecture studio an earthquakethe team came up with a plan for the wooded property that nearly doubled the size of the original house while adding ADU with an overflowing family and guest room, spacious outdoor living area and a 40-foot swimming pool.

Inside the main house, the kitchen has been completely renovated and new cork floors run through the interior. The material was chosen for its durability and to echo the medieval past of the house. "The inner palette is very warm," Your Taalman. "There is plenty of wood." — Inside the main house, the kitchen has been completely renovated and new cork floors run through the interior. The material was chosen for its durability and to echo the medieval past of the house. “The inner palette is very warm,” says Taalman. — There is a lot of wood.

The original stone slab fireplace has been preserved. "Those stones were actually excavated from the site," says Katherine. "We wanted to preserve and enhance the essence of the original structure," adds Andrija. — The original stone slab fireplace has been preserved. “Those stones were actually pulled from the site,” says Catherine. “We wanted to preserve and enhance the essence of the original structure,” adds Andrew.

Based on the original post-and-beam and wood construction language, the additions highlight the best parts of the 1955 cabin without mimicking its original style.

You'd Never Guess This Renovated Mid-Century Cabin Was In The Middle Of Los Angeles - Image 7 of 12 -

"ADU has a more rustic atmosphere," Taalman says, gesturing to Doug's wide-plank fir floors and marine plywood cabinets and wainscoting. "Overall, the intention was to keep the interior less precious and highly functional." — “The ADU has more of a rustic feel,” Taalman says, pointing to the wide-plank Doug fir floors and marine plywood cabinetry and wainscoting. “Overall, the intention was to keep the interior less precious and very functional.”

Now, the journey through the hillside home oscillates seamlessly between interior and exterior spaces and past and present. “The idea,” says Andrew, “was to use the new to illuminate the old.”

One of the strangest details of the original house is its large, circular window, which resembles a hatch. “Inspired by that window, we created a garden with plenty of ‘islands’ or different areas for adventure, exploration and surprise,” says designer Dani VonLehe of Terremoto.