There’s a delicate line between renovation and restoration—a line designer Ashley Macuga balances with precision. As the principal designer of Collected Interiors, Ashley is no stranger to dated homes in need of a refresh, but this project was notably different. This Redwood City mid-century gem, protected by the historic register, presented a unique challenge: making updates for modern living while adhering to strict preservation parameters. See exactly how she brought this home into the 21st century in the photos below, captured beautifully by Nicole Dianne Photography.
From Collected Interiors… My team and I, in collaboration with Klopf Architecture, took on a full renovation of this Redwood City, CA home, honoring our clients’ deep appreciation for mid-century architecture. We preserved as much as we could—original mahogany walls and shelving among them—while making intentional additions like skylights to introduce more natural light and balance out the darker, low-ceilinged interiors. The original concrete floors were replaced with terrazzo as a nod to the home’s era, and a new wing was added to better suit the needs of the clients’ children.
Throughout the project, nostalgia-driven design guided our decisions—we respected the old while embracing the new. Our clients came to us with a few clear goals. One. Blend the historical and the new. We worked hard to make sure the existing structure and the new addition felt cohesive, not like two separate eras patched together. Two. Manage a variety of wood species. Between the mahogany, pine, walnut, and Douglas fir, we had to take special care to coordinate stain colors. Each wood has its own undertones and grain, so we tested and selected finishes in tandem to ensure everything felt harmonious. Three. Harness natural light. While the great room benefited from soaring vaulted ceilings, much of the home had 8-foot ceilings that could feel dark. We used architecture to our advantage—carefully placing skylights and openings to enhance the natural light and create a calm, retreat-like feeling throughout. Four. Embrace indoor-outdoor living. This was a must for our California-based clients, and we made sure the home invited the outside in at every turn.
Some of our favorite details include…
The terrazzo floors
The original concrete flooring had to be removed to repair the radiant heating system, which gave us the opportunity to select something new. After weighing several options, the clients chose terrazzo—a timeless material with warmth, depth, and just the right amount of pattern. It laid the foundation for the color palette throughout the rest of the home and added a chic yet grounded touch.
The tongue-and-groove ceilings
This ceiling detail is one of my favorite nods to mid-century style. The visible wood grain adds texture without feeling overdesigned. We ran the ceiling boards straight from the interior to the exterior eaves, which reinforced the mid-century principle of fluid, indoor-outdoor living.
The original mahogany walls
Mid-century design blurs the line between inside and out, and nothing anchors that feeling like original mahogany. The wood’s rich tone and smooth grain add so much depth and elegance. We carefully restored the walls—cleaning, oiling, and refinishing them—so their beauty could shine once again. We also extended the mahogany into the new family room by cladding a feature wall, which helped unify the original and new spaces.
Custom cabinetry details
All of the cabinetry was custom made by a local finish carpenter and inspired by the home’s existing architecture. For example, the vertical lines of the boys’ bathroom vanity were drawn from the rhythm of the tongue-and-groove ceiling. In the primary bathroom, we carved an elliptical shape into the vanity face—a subtle echo of the original lighting fixtures and a form found throughout mid-century design.
The indoor-outdoor shower in the primary suite
This is #homegoals if there ever was one. Depending on the weather, you can choose to shower indoors or out. To make the space feel seamless, we continued the tile from inside to outside—even aligning the grout lines on either side of the window. The result is a true extension of the home into nature, which is exactly what mid-century design is all about.
Discover the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Collected Interiors · Photography: Nicole Dianne Photography · Architect: Klopf Architecture
