Mill Valley Guesthouse: A Relaxing Hangout for Friends and Family

A relaxing retreat that is surrounded by greenery and takes you away from the hustle and bustle of life inside the concrete jungle is increasingly an idea that most homeowners are veering towards. Most often this manifests in the form of fabulous holiday homes. But the Mill Valley Guesthouse designed by Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects is about creating a serene and comfortable space for visiting friends and family, even as they take in the wonderful scenery outside. Nestled on a lot in Mill Valley filled with redwood and cedar trees, the design of the guesthouse ensures that the existing landscape is as undisturbed as possible.

Tranquil-surroundings-and-private-walkways-around-the-guesthouse — Tranquil surroundings and private walkways around the guesthouse

Cedar-and-redwood-trees-along-with-lush-green-vegetation-surround-the-contemporary-guesthouse-217x155

View-of-the-Mill-Valley-Guesthouse-in-California-from-a-distance-217x155

Imaginative-design-of-skylights-adds-to-the-visual-of-the-elegant-porch-as-well-217x155

Perched atop the steep lot, the guesthouse is contemporary in form and contains a living area, media room and guest bedrooms. The porch on the outside feels like an extension of the media room with round cutouts in the ceiling acting as skylights throughout the structure. Canopy surrounding the house filter sunlight that enters through these skylights and help in keeping the guesthouse cool and comfortable even on the hottest summer days.

Media-room-and-sitting-area-at-the-Mill-Valley-Guesthouse-with-skylights-and-a-breezy-ambiance — Media room and sitting area at the Mill Valley Guesthouse with skylights

Porch-and-media-room-of-contemporary-guesthouse-in-California-nestled-among-redwood-trees — Porch and media room of the contemporary guesthouse

Smart-interior-of-the-guestouse-with-gray-sectional-and-white-backdrop — Smart interior of the guestouse with gray sectional and white backdrop

Bedroom in white is tucked away at the rear of the guesthouse to offer privacy

Spacious-bathroom-in-white-with-skylight — Spacious bathroom in white with skylight

White is the color of choice inside the media room and the guest bedrooms with décor in gray elevating the refined, modern appeal of the interior. It is the view outside that adds color and personality to the guesthouse even as green features like the cool roof, LED lighting and high-efficiency boiler cut back on power consumption. Smart, sensible and playful, this Californian guesthouse has it all! [Photography: David Wakely]