Simplifying and opening up a Brentwood ranch house

Lush greenery outside is seen from the dining area.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Architect David Montalba raised the roof and installed clerestory windows and opaque skylights to bathe rooms in a luminous glow.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Wall-mounted walnut cabinets appear to float above whitewashed oak floors.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Paint, marble, glass tile and Caesarstone were selected in shades of white and beige for their light-reflective, space-expanding quality.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Taking down walls and partitions and opening rooms to the outdoors brought a sense of spaciousness to the 1,800-square-foot home.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

“This remodel was all about editing,” says architect David Montalba.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The architect turned separate living, family, kitchen and dining areas into one open, free-flowing space that focused on adding more natural light.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Windows open up a corner of the kitchen.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Landscape designer Judy Kameon of L.A.’s Elysian Landscapes cleared overgrown palms and evergreens from the back slope and planted drought-tolerant Mediterranean and subtropical plants under purple acacias.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The hillside serves as a colorful backdrop for garden terraces that extend from the house.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Clerestory windows bathe rooms in a luminous glow.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Architect David Montalba moved the front door to a more central location and freshened up the ranch-style facade while preserving the home’s small footprint.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Landscape designer Judy Kameon designed an extra-long sofa and a fire pit for an outdoor seating area.   (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)