50 Mono Way - Mill Valley, CA

Renovation Details

During Covid, I fully renovated a mid-century home on the slopes of Mount Tamalpais—drawing on both my background in design and my diverse, hands-on building experience. As an owner-builder, I created all architectural drawings myself and navigated the complex process of securing building permits through the City of Mill Valley—a challenge even under normal circumstances, made more complicated by pandemic restrictions.

The renovation included custom Ipe and steel cable railings, sliding barn doors, retaining walls, and the installation of handcrafted mahogany entry and interior doors. I selected and installed all new lighting and plumbing fixtures to complement the home’s character. Working mostly solo, I often had to improvise: to haul large logs uphill, I rigged a pulley system using a tree anchor, rope, and my truck; to load them into the truck bed, I used a hand-crank winch. It was a project that tested every skill I’ve picked up—from fine carpentry to problem-solving under pressure—and remains one of my most rewarding personal builds.