This residence is a remodel addition to an existing 4,402 s.f. house that was originally constructed in a contemporary Santa Fe Style with purple and yellow stucco. The clients came to us wanting to add a clean modern glass box for the second floor master bedroom, better connection to the outdoors, and blur the line between formal and informal spaces.

We proposed to create series of view spaces borrowing from the Japanese concept of Tokonoma or an area where items for artistic appreciation are displayed.. A series of view spaces to anchor each major room were created. Rather than simply opening up the rooms to the exterior, we achieved this by framing the flowering tree in the neighbor’s yard in an alcove, by setting green foreground on a roof deck to the city view, or framing the sky in the dining room.

In the master suite, we wanted to create an oasis where the Clients can escape their day to day life. Upon entrance, you are greeted by an internal courtyard displaying a green wall with a stainless steel sculpture framed by glass and open to the sky. This Tsuboniwa (petit garden) is flanked by the wet room (shower and bath area) and the master bedroom. It also doubles as an outdoor shower area. The glass door between the wet room and Tsuboniwa recesses into the wall, thus enlarging the space. The planting around this second floor suite also gives a sense of grounding and foreground to the view beyond.

The light-filled entry, wall papered with images of books, is your first clue that this family loves books and enjoy being surrounded by books and ideas that provoke imagination, knowledge, and curiosity. The bibliophile theme appears in several places, on the second floor landing which provides a family library, study and gathering place, and again in the master bedroom with book shelf with a whimsical element. The family’s love of travel and curiosity about the universe are additional themes incorporated into the celestial reading room.

Be sure to notice the frameless corners of the windows in the master bath and elsewhere, letting generous amounts of light into the home. Functional window coverings are controlled by remote to filter the natural light and for privacy. The three children’s rooms are themed according to their interests and rooms will easily transition as the children mature.

This family home has been featured in NBC’s Open House, Luxe magazine, and HGTV magazine.

Completed in June 2019, this extensive remodel addition was created in collaboration with POSS Architects of Aspen, Colorado. This 8.889 s.f., 5 bedroom, 6.5 baths was conceived as a luxurious mountain retreat with an art deco twist.

Sited at the base of Red Mountain, just off the Rio Grande Trail, the home boasts panoramic view of the Aspen mountains. Site along a protected greenbelt., the three story home is clad in dry stack imported stone with custom limestone banding. The roof is covered in custom copper roofing in dragon scale pattern. The bronze doors and windows frame the expansive view to the mountains.

The interior was finished in polished Venetian plaster with walnut wood flooring. Bronze Nanz hardware adorn the custom doors.

The Clients first came to us when the project was already completed framing. Their words were: “We are downsizing but upgrading”. Their youngest had just left the house and they wanted to be able to have a white couch, and be able to use luxury material like silk velvet and mohair again. Having raised their family in Palos Verdes, they were not daunted by the style restrictions of a traditional exterior. But they wanted a pared down interior with modern flair. After interviewing several interior designers, they came to us because our architectural and interior background. They wanted us to help select the material and fixture to complete the exterior and create a contemporary interior that’s befitting of their new lifestyle.

We approached the project as if it is a historical villa that has been passed down through generations. The decorative elements on the ceiling and walls framed the backdrop to all the interior modern elements, from fixtures to furnishing. The coffered ceiling in the library, the decorative floral plaster relief in the dining room, and the reclaimed wood beams in the kitchen are all designed as if it were original details that were preserved. We then layered the space with Indian decorative elements, handmade tapestry and sculptures, as a nod to the client’s cultural heritage. Lastly were the colors. We took Client’s paintings as a direction to bring in the rich and vibrant colors. The ultimate objective was to create a minimal but layered space to celebrate a successful life well-lived.

Creating the illusion of space on a 1450 s.f. lot was our task. The existing structure was built in the late nineties. Being ranchers from Colorado, the clients wanted to create a pied-a-terre for entertaining dedicating to the coastal surf culture. Our challenge was to bring the sense of space into a two thousand square foot of space.

We approached the project as if it was a jewelhouse. It stands proudly on the corner near the strand overlooking the beach. Every square inch is considered, from the entry mud room to the origami desk that transforms from a closet to a desk. The enclosed stairs were opened up with open risers and glass railing. The mitered floor to ceiling corner captured the sense of the space beyond. Bringing the beach in was the goal. Though the house was built like a machine, the interiors is considered and soften with plenty of coastal elements that is fitting to the area.

A native son of Hawaii found this piece of paradise on Toes Beach that reminded him of home. This secluded stretch along the Playa del Rey lagoon is a hidden jewel in the busy beach community within South Bay. Our client came to Southern California to study film, so the dramatic scenery and cinematic lighting throughout the day was not lost on him. After a long search, he finally found the perfect location, but the house was dark and dated. He wanted to create a space that he can enjoy not only as a bachelor and eventually as a family within this tight knit community.

When we first visit the site, there were absolutely no connection from the main living space to the outdoors. You wouldn’t even know that this house was on the beach or had a view. After climbing a 12’ high exterior staircase, you would want to be rewarded with something. We opened up the entire living level with a staircase that is flooded with natural light and flanked with a display cabinet. We created a great room that incorporated a curated backyard for entertaining or just chilling in private with a view to the sunset. Designing with a future family in mind, we wanted each space to be usable with durable materials. But not losing any sophistication for the adults. The original primary bath was carpeted with a sunken tub that was enclosed. We obliterated wall between the sleeping and bathing, so that the entire space can be spa-like, thus enlarged the cavernous space. Now even the private ritual of bathing can enjoy the sunset view and connection to nature. Constructed during the Pandemic, we also created several outdoor spaces where our client can lounge and work.

When the clients first came to us, they had already completed framing on a remodel project they had purchased from a local speculative builder. Rather than filling the house with standard finishes, they wanted help to elevate the space and create a home that is cool enough for their four teenagers. They wanted to be able to entertain large parties and host school events at this house. This starts in the front yard. We transformed the prerequisite utilitarian rain garden into a stone garden vignette with a vintage fountain and composed the scene with an ornamental tree. Then the stone pathway leads you to a custom steel door with brass fixture from Rocky Mountain Hardware. A modern white crisp hallway flanked by art then leads you into the great room that is filled with art and textures. The double island in the kitchen acts not only as a gourmet cooking and prep space with Miele appliances, one island also serves as the “homework” area with plenty of Mockett pop up outlet ready for quick study sessions. The large Driade Anapo dining table sits under the brass Brenta Grade Chandelier by Aerin in the dining area, flanked by Poltrona Frau leather dining chairs, always accommodating a minimum of twelve guests. The living room area is centered by an etched stone clad fireplace. The client’s vintage Minotti sofa is reupholstered with Perennial fabrics to withstand wear and tear from kids and dogs. We then completed the scene with new Minotti coffee table and console pieces. The calm neutral interior palette then opens you up to the lush, landscaped backyard and a plunge pool with bold azure blue water contrast with black accent and dramatic geometric patterned tiles. The gourmet outdoor kitchen doubles as a cocktail bar for grownups. The lower outdoor seating area that we like to call the living room is centered around a built-in firepit where you can look back at the house while enjoying the trickling sound from the fountain. We also upcycled all the client’s existing teak furniture with new upholstery that is able to withstand the outdoor elements.

We purposedly chose clean line pieces for the interior to contrast with the organic nature of the landscape outdoors. Though this is a single-story ranch style house on an urban lot, we wanted to make sure that every bedroom has its own personality. Well-traveled, the clients had just returned from an African safari trip. The client had shown me the pictures that their grandfather had taken on the trip. We featured one of his large black and white leopard photographs in one of the teen’s rooms. In another, we selected a world map reflecting another teen’s love for travel. Finally, we create a lush primary suite filled with indoor plants or botanical pieces by artist Kauro Mansour to relate to the outdoors.

Best of outdoor living in California - The outdoors is designed for large family gatherings and ultimate California dream for living and dining, including an custom outdoor kitchen for catering. This project includes an edible landscape full of planter boxes, fruit trees and grapevine fences.

Marine Loft is a 1,750 s.f. residential loft space located at the corner of Main and Marine Street in Santa Monica. The Client, who is from the Midwest, relocated from New York City. He is an avid surfer who embraces the California lifestyle. He wanted to be reminded of the natural environment where he grew up and yet respect the industrial nature of the space.

The design concept was to anchor the large linear entry space with a conversational piece. This was created by using industrial materials such as a 16 foot long island constructed out of reclaimed logs and plumbing pipes. The island itself is divided up into areas for eating, drinking, and reading. Continuing this concept, the materials of the reclaimed wood and industrial products were used throughout the loft.

Sited along the cliff of Point Dume, the former Johnny Carson Estate was completely renovated to suit the current Client’s need. The original architecture from the Seventies by Ed Niles was preserved, along with its interior arboretum.. We updated the infrastructure to meet today’s modern needs.

Beyond the gated driveway, this magnificent estate boasts panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. It sits on over 4 acres of land with private beach access. We carefully juxtaposed the Client’s exquisite art collection within the architecture. To suit the Client’s need for formal entertaining, we created a private dining area along with a chef’s kitchen.

Check out the rest of the residence through this link.

The client came to us wanting to create a wellness retreat for her and her friends and family to enjoy. A philanthropist and constant entertainer, she wanted a modern structure that utilizes the steep hillside that would look compatible with the existing Southwest style main house. We reconfigured the lot by creating a ten foot high retaining wall to the rear of the lot, thus gain another fifteen feet of flat area for entertaining. View from the pool deck is visually extended towards the hillside by creating an infinity pool edge that cascades down to a fountain that leads you to the gym/wellness retreat below. We also converted the once overgrown hillside to a landscaped pedestrian pathway that enables the health conscious client to stroll around her entire estate. Several gathering areas were created, that includes a fire pit seating area, a roof deck for yoga, a solitary sitting area anchored by a faux bois bench, and a large entertaining area paved with French Limestone for parties.

This is the phase two of our Manhattan Beach Residence. Our long-time client came back to us ten years after the original main house was completed to create a pool house that is more fitting to their family’s current lifestyle. They wanted to create a bar and secondary catering kitchen that allows for the ultimate California outdoor living lifestyle. We created an indoor-outdoor kitchen that doubles as a bar with full custom wine storage unit. All of the interior furniture are cladded with performance fabric so that you can come directly from the pool to watch a game on the TV.

We were honored to be asked back by the client to create a wellness retreat on the adjacent lot that the clients had acquired next door. The client wanted to create a wellness retreat that adapts to their active lifestyle and growing family. An avid swimmer-golfer-soccer-basketball-pickle ball family, the client wanted a gym, a golf simulator room, a cold plunge bath, a dry sauna, pickleball/basketball court along with a guest house/theater that they can entertain their adult friends and allow for the kids to have friends over.

First we started by creating a portal moment anchored by large custom concrete bell light fixtures by Buzzell Studio connecting the main house with the new. We were able to fit all of the program onto this 5,000 s.f. urban lot. Utilizing pocketing Fleetwood sliding doors, one is able to watch a football game at the same time while playing a game of basketball or pickle ball. Using Full-Swing Golf Simulator system, we were also able to double this as a wood clad theater flanked by a kitchenette and bar with deco ceramic tiles in rich blues. The guest bedroom suite is created to double as a ZOOM meeting room. We plastered the powder room in a moody gray Roman plaster with custom stone sink in leathered blue quartzite natural stone.

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