A Meticulously Restored Midcentury Hits the Market in Northern California
In Marin County, just north of San Francisco, the Woerner House is a dynamic theater of light and views.
In Marin County, just north of San Francisco, the Woerner House is a dynamic theater of light and views.
When design enthusiasts Mark Henderson and Mercedes McNab purchased the Woerner House in 2011, they had no doubt the 1951 home was a diamond in the rough. Designed by acclaimed architect John Funk and landscape designer Lawrence Halprin, the Bay Area residence hummed with potential, which motivated the couple to treat the space to a complete restoration.
The Woerner House, built in 1951, rests on a lush lot in Kentfield, California, just north of San Francisco. The current homeowners, real estate developer Mark Henderson and actor Mercedes McNab, thoroughly researched its history before undertaking a renovation with architect David Yama.
Photo courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty
Mark and Mercedes—who currently live in the dwelling with their children, ages five and eight—found themselves knee-deep in research. "After we bought the home, we were determined to find all of the original plans and photographs," says Mark. After countless hours, they gathered a full archive of the property.
A bright red door extends a warm welcome to visitors. "We found out, in a very organic way, that
red looked fantastic next to the gray color of the house after a perennial flower of that color popped up one year," says Mark.
Photo courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty
With the original plans in hand, they then tapped local architect David Yama to assist with the remodel. One of the first design decisions was to install white terrazzo tile flooring throughout the interior, which measures over 3,600 square feet.
"We had seen terrazzo in other midcentury houses across the Bay Area and in Los Angeles, and we liked the clean, glossy look—as well as the fact that it was a floor choice often used in the post-war period," Mark says.
Measuring 3,648 square feet, the home presents spacious gathering areas arranged across an open floor plan. Original details can be found throughout, such as the broad brick fireplace in the living room.
Photo courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty
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