Corinne Mathern

1952 Midcentury

When Corinne’s client purchased this home, it was untouched besides a thoughtful renovation in 1965 by architect, Gilbert Leong. The brief given by her design savvy musician client was that he desired the soul of the home to stay intact but wanted the amenities and finishes to be updated. This project was a true example of how Corinne prefers to approach a renovation; the architecture of the home along with the client’s input guides the creative process. As a result of this simple brief and a very successful collaboration, this 2900 square foot midcentury home received an extensive and collaborative remodel.

To suit Corinne’s client’s needs, the small kitchen was opened up to the living room to create a flow throughout the house that was more open and welcoming. Two of the three small bedrooms in the upper level were combined to create a large primary suite with a hallway of closets inspired by Charlotte Perriand’s subtle detailing. Every original surface was touched; if it had another life in it, Landmark Construction salvaged it with the utmost care. The new material brief was engulfed in chrome metals and honed concretes. Handmade tiles and custom walnut elements softened up the industrial feel but maintained a masculine material palette throughout. Light throughout the home was inspired by the natural filter of William Eggleston photos and the colors were discussed while viewing stills of Jacques Tati films.

Repurposing some of the original architectural details helped Corinne keep the home’s original character intact. The 7 foot tall wood doors from a bedroom upstairs were given a new life and created a hidden bar downstairs. The solid brass peep hole from the original front door was painstakingly replaced in the new, solid wood entry to the home. Brass and chrome light fixtures throughout the home were taken down, replated and mixed with additional vintage light fixtures that our studio sourced. Original double hung wood windows were repurposed and new ones were fabricated to match. When construction ceased and the home stood still, you could feel it’s quiet history that was ready for a new chapter.

Our studio focused on vintage and custom furniture to add that new layer of life to the home. Chrome and leather Bruno Rey bar stools were reupholstered in black to seat six people at the dark blue bar. A Friso Kramer desk chair is paired with a Peter Lovig desk in the office. Pieces by Ron Rezek, Arthur Umanoff and Peter Pepper are sprinkled throughout. Our studio collaborated with DTile systems to design a rust colored tile coffee table that feels fresh for the living room. We collaborated with PSS Design to custom fabricate a walnut screen that defines the entry to the home, a tambour oak screen to create a private space in the primary bath and finally a powder coated metal and fumed oak dining table. Our client’s own photography of his daughter and friends served as the final layer that made the house a home.

Photography by Laure Joliet.

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