Tucked behind neighboring homes, the Washington Residence by Mahya Salehi Studio begins with a site most buyers would have dismissed. A long, narrow flag lot, a sloping grade, and tight surrounding conditions made it a difficult starting point. But for a couple in tech, it offered something rare, privacy and the chance to stay in a community they already loved.
Working with Mahya Salehi Studio, that optimism took shape as a contemporary home designed to pull in light, open up views, and make full use of every constraint. Through careful planning, the design transforms the site into a home that feels open, bright, and quietly separated from its surroundings.
A Restrained Palette
From the outside, the home keeps things minimal. Hand-raked stucco and limestone create a soft, monochromatic exterior where texture and shadow do the work. The form steps with the slope, subtly breaking up the mass while working within zoning limits.
Decks extend from each level, offering outdoor access throughout the house and reinforcing the connection between interior spaces and the landscape beyond.
A Practical Welcome
The entry sequence unfolds after moving through the long driveway, creating a sense of separation from the street. Inside, the foyer introduces the home’s material palette and spatial clarity. A built-in bench adds function right at the threshold, offering a simple moment of pause before moving deeper inside.
A Defined Space
Instead of a fully open layout, the home uses distinct rooms that still feel visually linked. A sitting room opposite the bench is one of these spaces, offering a quieter setting while maintaining connection to the rest of the main level.
Designed for Gathering
The formal dining room continues this approach, providing a dedicated area for hosting. Its placement allows it to feel intentional, while still benefiting from the home’s overall flow and access to light.
An Outdoor Link
Positioned between key living spaces, the patio acts as a connector. It draws daylight deeper into the home and creates an easy transition between indoors and outdoors, reinforcing how the house opens up despite its tight surroundings.
Views Framed by Greenery
At the rear, the living room opens toward dense greenery along the edge of the lot. A large window wall frames these views, giving the space a calm outlook while maintaining privacy from nearby homes.
A Central Hub within the Great Room
The kitchen anchors the main level, forming part of the great room alongside the breakfast nook and family lounge. It’s designed for both daily use and larger gatherings, with durable materials like leather-finished dark stone countertops and wood cabinets, adding depth and contrast.
A Pop of Color
Adjacent to the kitchen, the breakfast nook, highlighted in green, offers a more casual place to gather. Its position allows it to benefit from natural light while staying closely tied to the main cooking and living areas.
Vertical Light Shaping the Interior
A double-height stair volume becomes a key feature of the home. Skylights above act as vertical light wells, pulling daylight down through the levels and helping the interior feel open despite the compact footprint.
A Quiet Space
The library, with its deep brown walls, offers a different atmosphere. With its double-height volume and a bay-window reading nook, it provides a place set apart from the more active areas of the house.
A Bedroom Open to Outdoor Space
Bedrooms are positioned to take advantage of privacy and access to outdoor areas. Many open directly onto decks, extending the usable space and offering moments of fresh air and light.
A Bold Focal Point
In one of the bathrooms, the black freestanding bathtub immediately draws attention, set against a backdrop of richly patterned stone that wraps the shower walls and floor. Positioned beside the windows, the bath and shower takes full advantage of natural light and views of greenery just outside.
Natural Light from Above
Another bathroom uses a skylight positioned directly above a built-in bathtub and shower combination. This overhead light transforms the space, making it feel bright and open without relying on large windows.
With a clear strategy and a focus on light, Mahya Salehi Studio turned a challenging lot into a home that feels open, functional, and tailored to the family who saw its potential from the start.