Surprising Midcentury Cabin Renovation in Mount Washington, L.A.

This blog post explores the midcentury-modern renovation of a 1955 Mount Washington cabin by designer Kathryn McCullough and musician Andrew Bulbrook. It describes how the couple, working with architect Linda Taalman and landscape studio Terremoto, transformed an 850-square-foot post-and-beam home into a family retreat that honors its Case Study–era roots.

The renovation added contemporary living spaces, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), generous outdoor areas, and a dramatic 40-foot pool.

Project overview: a tiny house on a big lot

The story begins with a lucky find: a compact, timber-clad home designed by Kemper Nomland Jr., co-designer of Case Study House #10. The house sits on an unusually large parcel in Los Angeles’s Mount Washington neighborhood.

Kathryn and Andrew were searching for a tiny house on a big lot. The 1955 cabin’s original post-and-beam construction and circular window offered a rare mix of authenticity and potential.

The brief was clear: respect the midcentury style but expand and modernize for a growing family and guests. The team nearly doubled the home’s footprint and introduced an ADU for extra living space.

They also reworked the landscape and outdoor zones to create a smooth indoor-outdoor experience.

Design strategy: honoring the original while adding new life

The renovation follows a design approach that values the original structure while adding something new. Linda Taalman’s additions echo the post-and-beam style—timber cladding, clean lines, and careful proportions—but remain clearly contemporary.

The result is a connection between old and new that feels natural. Key design moves included thoughtful spatial sequencing to preserve sightlines to the original cabin and daylighting strategies that bring light deep into the plan.

Material choices were made to match the 1950s character while providing durability and modern performance.

Landscape and outdoor living: islands of surprise

Terremoto’s landscape concept was inspired by a single detail: a distinctive circular window. That motif led to a garden of purposeful islands—areas for play, contemplation, dining, and movement—connected by paths that invite exploration.

The landscape creates outdoor rooms that feel intimate despite the large lot. One of the most striking features is the new 40-foot pool, which anchors the yard and strengthens the link between indoor spaces and the landscape.

The pool, terraces, and planted islands extend the family’s living and entertaining space into the open air.

Accessory dwelling and programmatic flexibility

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) was added to provide flexible guest accommodation and extra space for family life. In Los Angeles, ADUs are not just an amenity but a smart design response that increases functionality without reducing privacy.

The ADU uses a simple material palette and careful scale so it fits with the main house. The original 1955 cabin remains the visual and historical anchor of the property.

Lessons for architects and homeowners

This renovation offers several practical takeaways for design professionals and homeowners considering midcentury-modern updates:

In the Mount Washington cabin project, the collaboration between homeowner-designers, architect Linda Taalman, and Terremoto shows how a careful approach can preserve midcentury character and meet modern family needs.

 
Here is the source article for this story: You’d Never Guess This Revamped Midcentury Cabin Is in the Middle of L.A.