Modern Treehouse

Canopied and Cool

Tucked under a twisting tree canopy in a tranquil neighborhood in northeast Los Angeles, this terrace-abundant bungalow is immersed in leaves on an enchanting hillside. More modern-house-set-under-the-trees than a structure actually built into the branches, the multi-story bungalow blurs the boundaries between living indoors and out, with wraparound decks upstairs and down, and wide, sliding glass doors and windows that make the structure seem woven into the abundant green canopy. 

It’s a trendsetting treehouse, filled with “grown up” amenities, that offers all the cachet and privacy you loved about your backyard childhood getaway.

A multilevel vacation home rental in Los Angeles, built into a hillside in leafy Mount Washington, this cool modern take on a treehouse checks all the boxes for campy, woodsy fun, with extra credit for its cool, modern California casual interior. Ebony on the outside, with wraparound wood decks and walkways on different levels, the home’s volumes sit alongside twisting branches of mature trees, and leafy landscapes are revealed out of every picture window.

You enter the home’s upper level where an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area are combined in a room with windows on all sides. There’s a three-sided contemporary fireplace and a small reading nook on the stair landing, a powder room for entertaining, plus a generous pass-through window along the kitchen’s sleek marble countertop to the top outdoor dining and living deck set just under the leaves. The interior paint palette is ivory to the exterior’s rich ebony, and the common space is light filled and casual, with photography, pops of bright textiles, plants, and rattan and wood accent pieces as decor.

Down one set of stairs, a second sitting area and a home office fill the landing area, and two bright bedrooms and baths with showers give off real treehouse vibes, with their windows revealing branches, thick palm fronds and a varied palette of green. Furnishings are contemporary and casual, with light-toned linens and contrasting throws. 

Further downstairs, the home’s bottom level features a foyer with a large sliding door leading out to the lower deck, a large principal bedroom with a spa-quality bathroom with double floating marble sinks, a giant shower and a generous soaking tub set into the windows opening to the deck for ultimate relaxation. The outdoor lower deck also features a wooden area with seating and cut outs for the twisting trees and tall palms. Below the wooden terrace, a firepit and seating are set alongside a cedar soaking tub in the shadow of the home’s soaring structure. 

AROUND

This vacation home rental in Los Angeles is located in the San Rafael Hills northeast of the city. A historic neighborhood, Mount Washington is home to some of the city’s steepest streets, including Eldred Street nearby. Parks border the neighborhood, and include nearby Eagle Rock, making the area feel relatively woodsy and a world away from downtown LA. 

There’s a free-spirited vibe to the diverse neighborhood, and a range of architectural styles from Craftsman to mid-century modern. Downtown, Hollywood, and Pasadena are all easy commutes, and Los Angeles’s offerings, from museums and cultural institutions to world-renowned restaurants, markets, shops and beaches, are easily accessible.

LOCATION

Mount Washington, Los Angeles, CA, US. Nearest airport: LAX (23 miles).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year-round.