The Shumways, an artisan couple, requested a home that would provide a large area for making quilts, an even larger workshop, "and, incidentally, a place to sleep, bathe and eat." Sheltered on a steep hillside by native oak trees, the home is approached via a winding, down-sloping, gravel path. The intimate scale of the entry is in striking contrast to the expansive view of the western hills of the Sonoma Valley revealed beyond. The main living spaces, perched in the canopy of the oaks offer a feeling of being high up in a treehouse. To complete the experience, a cantilevered balcony extends from the living spaces into the treetops.

The main sleeping room has been tucked into the hill, stepping up and offering privacy from the living level. A second bedroom is isolated from the living activities of the house making it suitable for a home-office.

The windows are continuous to the ceiling, revealing a ceiling plane that extends through the glass, outside the house, minimizing the perceived barrier between indoors and out. The open planning of the house allows the home to feel larger than its 1,975 square feet of living space would indicate. The use of large overhangs allows the clients to enjoy the oak-filtered light of the sunset while providing protection from the sun. Windows are placed to view the natural features of the site and to maintain privacy from neighboring homes.

The roof appears to sit lightly on the structure because of its thin edge created by a beveled fascia board. The detailing where the underside of the roof meets the wall adds a continuous band of ornament to the outside of the house. Interior and exterior lighting has been designed to integrate with the architecture of the house. The home is heated by a radiant system within a stained concrete floor. The doors, windows and cabinets have been crafted by the owners and are a visual expression of their participation in the making of their home.