Looking out into the trees, this cozy little house in Oakland, California feels miles away from civilization, even though it is in a major metropolitan area. During an earlier remodel a diagonal wall was built through the middle of the 750 sq. main floor, making for an interesting but completely dysfunctional layout. The diagonal wall was removed to create an open plan space. The ceiling had been all one level. In the living area it was raised to make the space feel larger and to create visual separation from the kitchen and dining areas. The kitchen and dining room were moved and now open onto a deck for outdoor dining.

The stairs to the second story were 2 feet wide and so steep that people had fallen coming down them. A new wider staircase was built to code to address this serious safety hazard and now furniture can be taken up the stairs instead of through a second story window.

The large wood burning fireplace in the middle of the first floor was removed and replaced with a small freestanding gas stove to create a cozy corner in the living room. The owner is very happy to not be hauling firewood up the 50 steps to the house anymore.