A Rambler, Reconsidered: A 1959 Ranch House in West Marin by Commune Design
by Alexa Hotz
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.
Above: With landscaping by Terremoto, the cedar exterior is complemented with louvered exterior sconces in cedar and cast resin by Fernando Santangelo, and wood light fixtures by Max Frommeld. The roof is Versa-Span standing seam metal in color zinc grey.
Above: A “Hiroshi” Door Bell in old-growth, salvaged redwood and brass from Chris Kallmyer.
Above: The entry is defined by the Bean Rug by Commune for Christopher Farr, a Windham Ladder Back Bench in walnut by Brian Persico with a Josef Frank Textile Aralia cushion, ceiling light from Lumfardo, and linen/cypress scones by Fernando Santangelo.
Above: A central wood burning stove with terracotta tile from Exquisite Surfaces. A vintage Hans Wegner Web Armchair, vintage Isamu Noguchi Akari Floor Lamp, and Adam Pogue Ottoman. The ceiling lights are Commune Mini Globe Flush Mount for Remains Lighting. The rug is the Armadillo Agra Rug in Juniper.
Above: Tripp Carpenter of Espenet Furniture designed the old-growth redwood “Plectrum” coffee table. The table lamp at left is the Peter Speliopoulos for Commune Ceramic Lamp.
Above: Built-in seating fitted with pillows by Studio Ford for Commune and throw by Marina Contro for Commune Woven Blanket. The sconce is a vintage Hans-Agne Jakobsson and the table lamp is another Peter Speliopoulos Ceramic Lamp. The wood storage bin is a Leather Basket by Andrew McAteer for Commune.
Above: Tripp Carpenter created the Claro Walnut Trestle Dining Table, and both the dining bench and Wishbone chairs (two designs of Tripp’s father, Arthur “Art” Espenet Carpenter). The kitchen beyond is designed with custom cabinetry, a Clé zellige tile backsplash, and a custom copper vent hood.
Above: The containers are by Zoe Dering and the tea towel is the Citta Cabin Hand Towel in Spirulina Multi.
Above: A game table designed in-house and built by Louis Ptak is accompanied by the Crane Jib Lamp by Jack Sasaki of Summer Studio, vintage Ercol chairs, the Abstrakt 2 Rug by Commune for Christopher Farr.
Above: A daybed decorated with Gregory Parkinson Assamese Blanket Pillows and the Freecity for Commune Indigo Sherpa-Bear Throw. The Roman shades are from Rose Uniacke and the sconce is from Lumfardo.
Above: Children’s beds are fitted with Cactus Flower Quilts by Studio Ford for Commune
Above: Green zellige tiles in the bath fitted with Barber Wilsons brass fixtures.
Above: A large sectional, the Commune for George Smith Turkish Sofa, in the media room is designed with custom Roman shades and a vintage Louis Poulsen sconce. In the center of the room is a Commune for Kojima Shoten washi paper ceiling light.
Above: Noah Cohen built the woodworking boxes crafted from old-growth salvaged woods as part of the built-in shelving.
Above: Max Frommeld designed and built the modernist bed and headboard in old-growth redwood and ebonized oak. The rocking chair is a Sam Maloof design and Dan John Anderson created the sculptural walnut side table.
Above: As with much of the other hardware throughout the house, the bronze towel rods and hooks are from Van Cronenburg. The lighting above the mirrors is the Commune for Remains Lighting Linear Sconce, the rug is the Commune for Christopher Farr Weed Spring Rug.
Above: The zellige-lined sauna is designed with a white oak bench by Jack Sasaki of Summer Studio for Commune.
Above: In a home office space that doubles as additional guest room with a custom Murphy bed, a vintage Peter Løvig Nielsen desk and vintage Josef Frank desk chair.
Above: A vintage Bruno Mathsson Pernilla Lounge Chair, a vintage Hans Bergstrom floor lamp, a foot stool from George Nakashima Woodworkers, rug by Amadi Carpets, and curtains made from Josef Frank 1920s Mirakel fabric from Svensk 10.
Above: A vintage Hans-Agne Jakobsson sconce in another bathroom in the house.
Above: In the mudroom/laundry, floor tiles are terracotta from Exquisite Surfaces.
Above: A custom Dutch door is met with another design from Chris Kallmyer.
Above: A redwood table and bench by Nobuto Suga with Ceramic Votives by Kevin Willis.
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
The Trend Report: 12 Design Details We Loved in Copenhagen
by Annie Quigley
June in Copenhagen is a visual feast. It’s strawberry season, and the elderflower is in bloom; it grows from sidewalk pots and adorns pastries. (I can attest to this, having consumed every pastry on offer while I was there last week.) The sun sets at 10 p.m. And for a few days around the solstice, the city is alive with 3daysofdesign, by far the coolest design festival of the year. The parks, courtyards, galleries, and canals brim with exhibits, long-table dinners, and design lovers celebrating summer.
What I think is remarkable about this design festival is its generosity: It’s free and open to all who come to Copenhagen, emphasizing connection over commerce, humanness over AI, and the idea that design is—or should be—for everyone.
On the heels of a packed three days (steps walked: 67,662) and more inspiration than fits in a post, here are 12 details I loved.
Photography as noted.
Taking Cues from the Past
Above: Yes, AI is a thing, but I love that design is taking cues from the past. Here in the US, we’ve seen a renewed interest in Shaker design—and in Copenhagen, Tekla looked to 19th-century Sweden for their exhibit: The pine beds by architects Mentze Ottenstein are inspired by 19th-century Swedish box beds; the heritage quilts are of a Scandinavian lineage (made with Tekla scraps). Photograph via Tekla.
Abundant-Casual Entertaining
Above: The entertaining theme of this year: abundant simplicity/simple abundance. Forget fussy canapés: A big bowl of first-of-the-season strawberries, served with flatbread and fresh butter, is generous, casual, and inviting. Spotted here at Tekla’s exhibit, with strawberries served in an antique Scandinavian bentwood box…. Photograph by Annie Quigley.
The Moveable Kitchen, Two Ways
Above: A kitchen is an investment, and we’re happy to see that more companies are designing them to be flexible as needs change. Just before I left for Copenhagen, we featured a new US kitchen co. with moveable components; in Copenhagen, I stumbled on a new-to-us Berlin-based company, Termino, makers of modular systems made of aluminum designed to grow with their owners. Photograph via Termino.
Above: And the moveable, unfitted, super-minimalist kitchen had a moment at Frama‘s “The Mechanics of Scent” exhibit, too, with wall-mounted sideboard and cart on wheels. Photograph via Frama.
Glass Lights
Above: On our trend radar: delicate glass lights, as seen here at Italian co. Cassina‘s styled Scandinavian flat. Photograph by Laura Alvarez, courtesy of Cassina.
Stainless, Stainless, Stainless
Above: The stainless trend shows no sign of slowing down, as evidenced by this playful collaboration between longtime favorite Vipp and Barcelona-based Mesura, where a sunflower-yellow rug makes stainless sofas and cabinetry feel particularly fresh. Photograph via Vipp.
Sculptural Details
Above: In Dinesen‘s new showroom, I was taken by the sail-like ceiling with gently curved fabric by Kvadrat: a sculptural touch. Photograph via Dinesen.
Bath as Living Area
Above: File under Wish I Made It to This: Baina‘s “The Practice of Bathing” exhibit, where the bath is both “necessity and ceremony.” Kitchens have become more and more living room-like the past few years; now it’s time for the bath to follow suit. Photograph by Elizabeth Heltoft via Baina.
Above: Photograph by Elizabeth Heltoft via Baina.
Watercolor Hues
Above: The hue of the summer? Ethereal blue-green, spotted, for example, on a floral Tired Man chair at Audo House (shown here). Photograph by Laura Alvarez, courtesy of Audo.
Lacquered Dining Tables
Above: Subtle color, rounded edges, and a glossy finish: I saw lacquered dining tables all over in Copenhagen, like Ferm Living’s Rink Dining Table, complete with bench seating in Tea Green (see?). Photograph via Ferm Living.
The Personalized Work Jacket
Above: An unexpected discovery I am now obsessed with: workwear painted or embroidered with handwriting, as spotted here at Bergs Potter. Photograph via Bergs Potter.
Wiry Florals
Above: Spotted at Audo House: wiry, wonky stems far cooler than a whole bouquet. Photograph by Annie Quigley.
Foldable, Portable Design
Above: At the exhibit by Royal Danish Academy, student designer/makers displayed their take on the humble, versatile stool, created in two weeks as part of their school exchange in Egypt. The kicker? The stools would need to fit in a carry-on to bring home—so each folds, dissembles, or tucks away. Photograph by Matteo Bellomo.
For more Copenhagen coverage, browse our places to go.
And for new design details we’re eyeing, see:
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