The Robert House

Tucked just below the street line, half-hidden and half-revealed, stands The Robert House, a classic mid-century residence built in 1952. With its timeless architectural bones and abundant character, the home was ready for a thoughtful revival that honored its heritage while ushering in a new era of style.

Upon arrival, the refreshed exterior sets the tone. A new front door in a bright orange hue punctuates the façade, complemented by a moss-green exterior inspired by the home’s birth decade. The combination feels at once rooted and renewed, nostalgic yet unmistakably modern.

LOCATION

Altadena, CA

COMPLETED

2024

AREA

1,700 SQFT

Mid-century modern living room with a wall of windows and vaulted wood ceilings. Two vintage Ikea chairs sit in front of a stone clad fireplace with a cantilevered hearth. A cream curved sofa sit below a classic nelson saucer pendant.

The living room, bathed in natural light, centers around the original stone-clad fireplace. Organic seating arrangements invite conversation and connection, all while framing views of the expansive backyard beyond.

Mid-century modern living room in altadena. A wall of windows brings the outdoors in. Original stone clad walls in the perfect backdrop for the wood baby-grand piano with a potted plant at its side.
Living room with a round 60s yellow coffee table, styled with a yellow flowers in a vase. A vintage Ikea Frieden Swivel chair and round travertine side table sit atop wooden floors.

In the guest bath we wanted to go retro without slipping into parody, so we leaned fully into that classic mid-century avocado-and-orange palette.

A bathroom with an orange concrete countertop with integrated sinks and an orange perforated metal vanity. The walls are an avocado green terrazzo tile, and the floor is orange concrete tiles.

Avocado terrazzo tile walls by Mutina and salmon colored concrete tiles and countertops by Concrete Collaborative. A handmade ceramic pendant by Virginia Sin is the perfect finishing touch.

Modern bathroom vanity with a salmon orange concrete countertop with a built-in sink. Green terrazzo tile backsplash with a large wall-to-wall mirror. A ceramic pendant from virginia sin sits above the vanity.
A modern bathroom with a green terrazzo tile walls by Mutina and salmon orange concrete floor tiles. A ribbed glass shower partition framed in black metal and a missoni towel hanging from a robe hook.

We wanted to modernize this mid-century home by honoring its retro roots and infusing it with the clients’ playful personality — creating quirky, joyful moments that feel sophisticated rather than kitschy.

An office design with walnut built-ins and bookshelf. Graphic wallpaper with a popart pattern is at the back of the built-in. A black organic shaped desk with a vintage brass table lamp and orange typewriter.

The client needed an inspiring and fun place to work from home, so we embraced retro mid-century soul with walnut wood, bold patterned walls, and a little bit of whimsy to make the space energizing and full of personality. Graphic wallpaper by Jupiter 10.

A wooden bookshelf with two shelves. The top shelf contains several books and a small decorative box. The bottom shelf holds a vintage typewriter.
A bedroom in a mid-century home with a yellow bedspread, olive green throw pillows, a vintage wood headboard with a color painting hanging above. Rattan nesting tables are used as a nightstand styled with orange flowers and books.

A second guest bathroom was introduced off the back bedroom, where a softer palette of cream tones evokes quiet sophistication. Arched motifs flow through the bespoke vanity and tub enclosure, unifying the space with a subtle rhythm. Handcrafted terracotta tiles by Cle meet white travertine stone and mustard terrazzo by Cemento underfoot.

A bathroom in a mid-century home with an arched ash vanity with a travertine countertop and a nickel waterworks faucet. An arched mirror hangs above the sink with a white ceramic tile wainscot. A large window with ribbed glass to the side.
A bathroom in a mid-century home with white terracotta tiles by cle on the wall, seashell tiles on the tub and mustard terrazzo tiles on the floor. Three round sconces are stacked besides and arched mirror.
A playroom in a mid-century modern house with peach walls and pink carpet. The ceiling is vaulted with painted white beams. An abstract panting sits over a pink sofa with a daisy pillow, toys and a kids table sits in the foreground.

A cheerful playroom wrapped in soft peach walls and plush wall-to-wall pink carpet creates a warm, joyful space that sparks creativity and endless imaginative play.

Poolside scene with four teal chaise lounges under orange scalloped umbrellas, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
A backyard patio of a mid-century modern home. A round concrete dining table with orange acrylic chairs sit under a large tree. A rattan sofa and lounge chair with wooden coffee table are in the background.
Outdoor patio with modern rattan furniture includes a curved sofa with green and white pillows, a matching armchair, and a wooden coffee table with a tray of snacks and a pitcher of lemonade.

COLLABORATORS

General Contractor, Streamline Construction Group

Photographer, Justin Chung

NEXT PROJECT‍ ‍