Sunlit Sanctuary: A Midcentury Home’s Bold Transformation

How M.O.Daby Design Reimagined a Primary Bath and Home with Nature-Inspired Glazing and Timeless Elegance

In a striking reimagining of a midcentury classic, M.O.Daby Design has transformed a primary bathroom into a sunlit sanctuary. Spearheaded by life partners and designers Matt O. Daby and Angie Mechaley, the Portland-based firm has redefined the space into one where architecture meets nature.

Before their renovation, the bathroom featured a sunroom-inspired design—outdated and in disrepair, yet it offered an undeniable connection to the outdoors, with views of the surrounding trees and an influx of natural light. Inspired by this rare charm, Matt and Angie rebuilt it, adding a concrete Avalon 62 soaking tub, and preserving that seamless interaction with nature while elevating the room’s aesthetic and functionality.

Elsewhere in the home, Native Trails’ Palomar vanity top with an integrated sink adds understated elegance to the powder room, where creamy, textured tiles create a vibrant yet soothing backdrop.

Built in 1955 for the grandfather of the current owner, this home has witnessed three generations of family life. We spoke with Matt and Angie about how they struck the perfect balance between honoring the house’s midcentury heritage and adapting it to meet the needs of today’s family.

Native Trails: Can you tell us about the home’s history and how you approached its renovation?

Angie: The home was originally built by our client’s grandparents in 1955. After living there for a short time, the family — now with two little ones — realized the space was no longer working for them. Some previous renovations had added square footage, but the main living areas were closed off and needed a major overhaul. Despite the changes over the years, we wanted to preserve the nostalgia that the home held, especially since our client’s father grew up here and has many fond memories.

Matt: One of the biggest challenges was finding a way to honor the nostalgia; especially because the husband, a collector of midcentury furniture, was so fond of the midcentury design. Meanwhile, his wife wanted to make the house their own for their family. The challenge was finding a balance between those two desires.

Native Trails: How did you preserve the home’s midcentury roots while modernizing it for today’s family?

Angie: The existing finishes didn’t match the style we were aiming for, and we knew we needed to make the space more functional for modern life. So, we gutted the interiors down to the framing. We chose materials like antique brass fixtures and walnut casework that could effortlessly span from mid-century to the 21st century. We also used natural slate for the floors to reflect the original flagstone at the entry that the husband loved. We paired it with colorful, geometric tile patterns that nod to the home’s atomic age aesthetic.

Native Trails: One notable design decision was keeping the original fireplace intact. Could you explain that choice?

Matt: The fireplace was a key part of the home’s original design, and the homeowners were adamant about keeping it. The husband’s childhood memories of his grandparents’ fireplace made it non-negotiable. But from a design perspective, it was a challenge because the fireplace sat right in the middle of what I envisioned as the open-concept great room. Ultimately, we embraced its centrality, and it became a unique feature around which the kitchen, dining, and living areas were designed.

Native Trails: The primary bathroom is stunning. Can you tell us about its transformation?

Angie: When we first saw the bathroom, we were drawn to its sunroom-like aesthetic. Despite its disrepair, it had a fantastic connection to the outdoors, with expansive views of the backyard and surrounding evergreens. However, the space had a massive, outdated tub — we joked that it could’ve fit Burt Reynolds and six of his friends from the ’70s! The layout was also awkward and didn’t function as a primary suite.

Being drawn to Pacific Northwest modernism, which emphasizes organic materials and a connection to nature, we knew we wanted to incorporate natural elements. That’s why the Native Trails Avalon tub was a perfect fit. We reconfigured the space to give the family an actual primary bath and a separate powder room, introducing a sauna with cedar accents for a serene retreat.

Native Trails: What made the NativeStone tub a standout choice for this space?

Angie: I’ve been familiar with NativeStone tubs for a while, and this was the perfect opportunity to use one in a bathroom where we could really highlight its beauty. The tub fits perfectly against the feature wall, and we knew we wanted to highlight its earthy texture.

Matt: One of the challenges with freestanding tubs is finding the right spot for them. They often end up squeezed into alcoves, which makes cleaning a nightmare. But here, the layout naturally lent itself to a freestanding tub, and the space felt like it was made for it. With views of the trees and sky through the windows, the space gives you a feeling of sitting on a rock in the forest, just gazing at the natural beauty around you. It’s incredibly sculptural and serene.

Native Trails: In the powder room, the Palomar vanity top feels like a nod to the materials in the primary bath. Was that intentional?

Angie: Absolutely. We wanted to create a cohesive design throughout the home, using the same natural materials where possible. The powder room is a space where we could make a bold design statement, so we opted for something special like the Palomar vanity top. We also used colorful, playful tile on the back wall to inject some fun, while grounding the space with the walnut vanity and concrete countertops.

For more designer spotlights and projects featuring Native Trails products, be sure to explore our blog.