An Inviting Contemporary Home With a Focus on Art
A designer warms up a clean-lined California home, making it functional and comfortable for a young family
These Silicon Valley homeowners knew their new home had great bones, but it had a lot of dark, heavy-looking materials and odd fixtures that didn’t suit their style or lifestyle. “Overall the house felt dark, cold and sterile,” designer Pamela Lin-Tam says. “They wanted a home that would be warm, inviting and bright. We kept what we could to reduce waste and costs, and only changed out materials and fixtures that just didn’t work.” The project included renovating the bathrooms, curating the homeowners’ art collection and choosing new paint colors and furniture for the entire house.
Living Room
A left turn from the entry presents this long view of the light-filled living room. Directly beyond the living room is the dining room, with the kitchen off to the right beyond the fireplace.
One of the darker elements Lin-Tam needed to mitigate was the dark, industrial-looking tile on the fireplace and in the stairwell area. “I wanted to make as many existing elements as possible work, and replacing the tile would have been expensive,” she says. The classic midcentury modern furnishings she chose add playful color and silhouettes. These pieces were splurges, but savings came from preserving all of the existing built-in cabinetry, most of the existing countertops and as many of the fixtures that Lin-Tam could make work with the couple’s style.
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A left turn from the entry presents this long view of the light-filled living room. Directly beyond the living room is the dining room, with the kitchen off to the right beyond the fireplace.
One of the darker elements Lin-Tam needed to mitigate was the dark, industrial-looking tile on the fireplace and in the stairwell area. “I wanted to make as many existing elements as possible work, and replacing the tile would have been expensive,” she says. The classic midcentury modern furnishings she chose add playful color and silhouettes. These pieces were splurges, but savings came from preserving all of the existing built-in cabinetry, most of the existing countertops and as many of the fixtures that Lin-Tam could make work with the couple’s style.
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Luckily, Lin-Tam had an existing warm element to play off of: the bamboo floors. Not having to replace or refinish them was a big help budgetwise. She lightened up the space with a durable rug composed of FLOR carpet tiles. They’re easy to clean and if there’s a stain beyond repair, only one tile need be replaced.
The area under the stairs was very dark, so Lin-Tam added a long midcentury-modern-inspired planter to add life and interest there.
Tip: Buy a few extra carpet tiles in case you need to replace some over time.
Find a sofa with midcentury modern style
The area under the stairs was very dark, so Lin-Tam added a long midcentury-modern-inspired planter to add life and interest there.
Tip: Buy a few extra carpet tiles in case you need to replace some over time.
Find a sofa with midcentury modern style
Lin-Tam created this cozy reading corner using the iconic Saarinen Womb chair, an arc lamp and minimalist white bookshelves.
Dining Room
More iconic midcentury modern pieces appear in the dining room. Lin-Tam worked with her clients’ classic Eames Shell chairs and sourced a used brass Louis Poulsen Artichoke lamp. She placed a freestanding bar in the corner to make entertaining easy.
The existing wall-mounted buffet with dark backsplash provides a transition between the dining area and kitchen. This piece gives the clients a great spot to display and enjoy their pottery collection. “The runner beneath it also has a Southwestern vibe,” Lin-Tam says. “And the photo with the horse in it reminds them of visiting horse ranches, something they really enjoy.”
More iconic midcentury modern pieces appear in the dining room. Lin-Tam worked with her clients’ classic Eames Shell chairs and sourced a used brass Louis Poulsen Artichoke lamp. She placed a freestanding bar in the corner to make entertaining easy.
The existing wall-mounted buffet with dark backsplash provides a transition between the dining area and kitchen. This piece gives the clients a great spot to display and enjoy their pottery collection. “The runner beneath it also has a Southwestern vibe,” Lin-Tam says. “And the photo with the horse in it reminds them of visiting horse ranches, something they really enjoy.”
Kitchen
The kitchen is a few steps down from the dining room. But because of the opening above the cabinetry on the left, the two spaces share natural light. The existing cabinet arrangement and island placement play with blocky geometry in a midcentury-modern-inspired way.
Lin-Tam worked with the existing bamboo cabinets and dark quartz countertops but replaced the dark floor and backsplash to lighten up the space. The grid of squares on the floor plays off the room’s geometry and adds to the midcentury modern vibe. She also replaced some cold chrome pendant lights over the island with clay fixtures that add texture, Southwestern desert tones and curves to the space.
The kitchen is a few steps down from the dining room. But because of the opening above the cabinetry on the left, the two spaces share natural light. The existing cabinet arrangement and island placement play with blocky geometry in a midcentury-modern-inspired way.
Lin-Tam worked with the existing bamboo cabinets and dark quartz countertops but replaced the dark floor and backsplash to lighten up the space. The grid of squares on the floor plays off the room’s geometry and adds to the midcentury modern vibe. She also replaced some cold chrome pendant lights over the island with clay fixtures that add texture, Southwestern desert tones and curves to the space.
The elongated hexagonal backsplash tiles nod to midcentury modern style in an updated way. The watery color and wavy texture provide contrast to the dark rectilinear elements in the room. The tiles are from Heath Ceramics.
Find a local tile professional
Find a local tile professional
The kitchen table occupies the area where floor-to-ceiling windows wrap the corner and provide vast views of the valley below. Lin-Tam played off the geometry and finishes by adding a round Saarninen tulip table. Its marble top introduces another texture to the bamboo cabinetry and dark quartz countertops. So do the wood-and-leather Danish modern Hans Wegner chairs.
The brass light fixture adds some warmth overhead. “There was a large dome pendant over the table before, blocking the views out the window,” Lin-Tam says. “I wanted a piece that was minimalist to keep the views open. And at night the lights looks like stars in the sky.”
The brass light fixture adds some warmth overhead. “There was a large dome pendant over the table before, blocking the views out the window,” Lin-Tam says. “I wanted a piece that was minimalist to keep the views open. And at night the lights looks like stars in the sky.”
Master Suite
To the right of the front entry, this hallway leads to the master suite. Lin-Tam created a focal point by hanging a large, colorful abstract painting, which can be seen from all the way across the large open space. A clean-lined wood bench provides a spot for taking off shoes after entering the home.
To the right of the front entry, this hallway leads to the master suite. Lin-Tam created a focal point by hanging a large, colorful abstract painting, which can be seen from all the way across the large open space. A clean-lined wood bench provides a spot for taking off shoes after entering the home.
The master suite has its own access to the patio and pool deck. The paprika-colored lounge chair in the bedroom adds a bit of Southwestern color.
A blue-and-white wallcovering creates a watery accent behind the bed. The clean lines of the furniture maintain the modern feel, while a woven rug cozies things up with texture and softness.
The sconce design was inspired by sailboats and the work of midcentury modern designer Aino Aalto. They were designed and made by Los Angeles company Brendan Ravenhill Studio.
In the master bathroom, Lin-Tam kept the existing vanity but replaced an odd circular metal bathtub with a sculptural white one. Both she and the homeowners are environmentally conscious and wanted to preserve as much as they could; fixtures that had to go were donated for reuse.
Lin-Tam also replaced a dark backsplash with a soft organic green tile. The handmade elongated subway tile is from Fireclay Tile. A round mirror offsets all the straight lines in the room, and a new amber glass light fixture provides a cozy glow. The nature-inspired palette creates a calm atmosphere.
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Lin-Tam also replaced a dark backsplash with a soft organic green tile. The handmade elongated subway tile is from Fireclay Tile. A round mirror offsets all the straight lines in the room, and a new amber glass light fixture provides a cozy glow. The nature-inspired palette creates a calm atmosphere.
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TV Lounge
Upstairs, Lin-Tam created a comfortable TV lounge with a large sectional sofa. The opening beyond the railing overlooks the front entry. “The dark rug is very durable and adds some contrast to the light sofa,” she says.
Upstairs, Lin-Tam created a comfortable TV lounge with a large sectional sofa. The opening beyond the railing overlooks the front entry. “The dark rug is very durable and adds some contrast to the light sofa,” she says.
A light blue accent wall mixed with a few subtle accents in terra cotta is an updated take on a Southwestern palette.
Guest Room
Chunky textures on the linens and wall hangings are another take on Southwest style. The sconces and clean-lined bed throw some midcentury modern style into the mix. And the accent wall adds a warm tone.
Chunky textures on the linens and wall hangings are another take on Southwest style. The sconces and clean-lined bed throw some midcentury modern style into the mix. And the accent wall adds a warm tone.
The existing built-ins provide a place to display more of the beloved pottery collection.
Home Office
The homeowners wanted the house to serve as a retreat from work, but they still need to work from home sometimes. Lin-Tam helped make the home office as comfortable as possible by including a sofa and giving the desk a great view.
The homeowners wanted the house to serve as a retreat from work, but they still need to work from home sometimes. Lin-Tam helped make the home office as comfortable as possible by including a sofa and giving the desk a great view.
Office Bath
The new patterned floor tile and terra cotta shade of paint are another updated take on Southwestern style. “I used paint as wainscoting to save on the budget,” Lin-Tam says. She plucked the hue from the homeowners’ painting that she chose for this room.
The new patterned floor tile and terra cotta shade of paint are another updated take on Southwestern style. “I used paint as wainscoting to save on the budget,” Lin-Tam says. She plucked the hue from the homeowners’ painting that she chose for this room.
Child’s Room
Lin-Tam created another cozy reading corner in the child’s room. A large area rug creates a soft place to play, and felt bins add color and keep toys organized.
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Lin-Tam created another cozy reading corner in the child’s room. A large area rug creates a soft place to play, and felt bins add color and keep toys organized.
More on Houzz
Tour more modern homes
Find local home design and construction professionals
Shop for your home
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A busy family of three
Location: Los Gatos, California
Size: 3,358 square feet (312 square meters); three bedrooms, four bathrooms
Designer: Pamela Lin-Tam of Urbanism Designs
“I like to capture my clients’ unique personalities in a design,” Lin-Tam says. One of the homeowners is from New Mexico, and her collection of Southwestern pottery is very special to her. This inspired a subtle, updated take on Southwestern style. The couple also love to collect art. The designer curated their collection, placing their selections in the best spots while considering the dimensions, colors and mood of each piece.
The homeowners used Houzz ideabooks to share photos of homes they liked. Their contemporary space’s clean lines and their personal tastes resulted in the choice of some iconic midcentury modern furniture pieces to complement the architecture. The designer describes the home’s new style as “modern and contemporary with midcentury elements and a Southwest vibe.”
Because the family of three is very busy and the child of the house is young, functionality was key. “Materials, finishes and furniture were picked with durability and low maintenance in mind, especially since they have an active young child,” Lin-Tam says. Comfort was a big part of this — the couple also wanted their home to serve as a relaxing retreat away from their demanding jobs.
A Dramatic Entry
The house sits on a private hilltop site. Seen here is the view from the front entry, to the pool and the valley beyond. To the left is the living room and to the right is a small hallway that leads to the master suite. The existing large windows throughout the house were a big asset. “The big windows add so much natural light and allow them to enjoy that stunning hilltop view,” the designer says.
How to Create and Use Ideabooks