A Fresh Facade

When Tim and Flin McDonald decided to relocate with their two children to a rural setting in Northern California, it was the land—not the house—that piqued their interest. Located in Angwin, a small town nestled among the rolling hills of California wine country, the existing home could be described, simply and unimpressively, as a stucco box.

Eager to experience the landscape through a more inspired lens, the McDonalds turned to San Francisco–based Lundberg Design to spearhead the single-story home’s remodel. With a long-standing relationship—design principal Olle Lundberg and the McDonalds had been friends for over four decades—the collaboration was a natural pairing. Lundberg had designed the McDonalds’ previous residence, while Tim McDonald, an established local builder, had led several of Lundberg’s Napa-area builds over the years.

The existing dwelling had an unremarkable facade and eight-foot ceilings, and was designed, confoundingly, with only two small windows overlooking the picturesque hillside and pond. Wanting to change the look of the home from "stucco ranchburger" to modern cabin, Lundberg and the McDonalds decided to introduce wood as a key element in the home’s revamped exterior. "I think we all felt that redwood was the best option," says Lundberg.

Drawn to the local softwood for its availability, affordability, sustainability, and versatility, the team engaged Humboldt Sawmill for several redwood elements in the home’s exterior. With vertical redwood siding instead of stucco, the exterior instantly became warm, contemporary, and inviting. The trellis, a signature feature, incorporates redwood in its beams and columns, offering heat protection while weaving together natural and built environments. "The trellis really ties Flin’s beautiful landscaping into the structure and adds a sense of depth and protection in what is quite a hot climate," says Lundberg.

Learn more at dwell.com/humboldt.

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