A Mar Vista remodel brings the outdoors in

Mai Hirai and daughter Leah Corley, 4, make their way through a traditional “genkan” entryway at their Mar Vista home. Members of the family take off their shoes in the entry area. The area is alongside a breakfast nook that looks out over the frontyard. The home was redesigned by architect Talbot McLanahan.

Mai Hirai spends time with her daughter Leah Corley, 4, in the new multipurpose room in their Mar Vista home.

Barton Corley and his wife, Mai Hirai, spend time in the living room while daughter Enna, 8, does her homework.

Mai Hirai opens a closet in the “genkan” entryway, where the familys stores shoes, helmets, lacrosse sticks and more.

Barton Corley and wife Mai Hirai spend time in the multipurpose room while daughters Leah, 4, left, and her sister Enna, 8, sit in the living room of their Mar Vista home.

Enna Corley, 8, left, and her sister Leah, 4, on the back porch of their Mar Vista home.

Barton Corley and wife Mai Hirai on the back porch.

Mai Hirai spends time with daughter Enna Corley, 8, in the master bedroom of their Mar Vista home. Architect Talbot McLanahan installed the window high so there would be no view of the garage from the bedroom.

Leah Corley, 4, spends time in the Japanese-style bathroom that features an outdoor Japanese tub. Homeowner Mai Hirai was born and raised in Tokyo. “We take bathing seriously,” she says.

The new addition features an outdoor Japanese bathtub.

Enna Corley catches some air in the bathroom. A Japanese shower rests on the other side of the wall.