Yerba Buena Island, the new San Francisco, California, neighborhood developed by Wilson Meany and Stockbridge Capital Group, has debuted its newest completed residences, The Townhomes, within The Cove Residences enclave. Designed by Hart Howerton and featuring interior concepts by Meyer Davis, this exclusive collection of attached single-family architectural townhomes merges a timeless modern nod to the classic San Francisco row home with a seamless blend of Bay views, market-defining amenities, and sustainable living.

Situated atop the naturally formed Yerba Buena Island, between Downtown San Francisco and the East Bay, the new residences mark the milestone of reaching 50% completion in the island’s residential development. This news arrives on the heels of announcing its 124-residence completed condominium building, The Bristol, being 40% sold and declared the top-selling new residential development in San Francisco in 2023. 

Reimagining San Francisco’s iconic row homes

The Townhomes breathe new life into the classic San Francisco row home, with gracious, sunlit multi-story floor plans featuring large bay windows and expansive terraces that frame unparalleled views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, Angel Island, the Berkeley Hills, and Clipper Cove. 

Floor plans range from 1,956 to 4,034 square feet across two, three, and four-bedroom layouts, starting from the high $2 million. Each home is distinct and boasts private entrances, attached garages, gourmet chef’s kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances, spa-style bathrooms, and expansive terraces that provide seamless indoor-outdoor living. Select homes include in-home elevators with private rooftop access, double-height great rooms, and lead gray-honed marble fireplaces. Every home boasts its own outdoor space, from east-facing gardens that catch the morning light to west-facing terraces that take in the evening glow, designed to immerse residents in the island’s incredible vistas and peaceful atmosphere.

“The Townhomes draw inspiration from the finely crafted building traditions of San Francisco coupled with the latest innovations of building materials and technology,” says Tim Slattery, AIA, a partner at Hart Howerton. “The homes are organized in a series that steps with the terrain, creating a unique rhythm and identity for each home. This design approach embraces a variety of expressions that respond to both the island’s natural and neighborhood settings.”

A new era of sustainable design

The Townhomes exemplify Yerba Buena Island’s commitment to sustainability and architectural excellence, with the goal of obtaining LEED Silver certification. Each home achieves environmental efficiency by integrating solar panels into the sophisticated design. This approach prioritizes the well-being of residents and contributes positively to preserving the island’s beauty, embodying Yerba Buena Island’s dedication to preserving and celebrating its natural landscap

“With the arrival of the initial Townhomes within The Cove Residence enclave at Yerba Buena Island, our vision of an urban village is truly coming to life,” says Chris Meany, managing partner at Wilson Meany, the co-developer along with Stockbridge Capital Group of Yerba Buena Island. “Designed by Hart Howerton to integrate with both the natural landscape and the architectural context of the site, each Townhome offers private outdoor spaces—from east-facing morning gardens to west-facing roof terraces—that capture the essence of the island’s views, sounds, colors, and breezes. We’re excited to invite people to experience a new way of living in San Francisco, where the thoughtful design and commitment to the environmental ethos of their homes enhance the natural setting.”

The showcase townhome: Maritime meets city design with panoramic views

Inspired by its prime location in the heart of The Cove Residences, the BraytonHughes-designed Showcase Townhome at Yerba Buena Island is a model of how city sophistication and natural beauty can coalesce. The internationally acclaimed San Francisco-based design firm has outfitted the home with a nautical theme, using natural materials and a soothing palette of creams and blues that mirror the coastal setting. The interiors are enriched with a mix of found objects and a bold modern art collection curated by the Jessica Silverman Gallery. 

Spanning 2,253 square feet, this 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom residence features extensive floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious terraces, and a rooftop deck, capturing views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, Clipper Cove, and the marina, seamlessly blending city sophistication with the natural beauty of its surroundings.

The Cove Residences: A village-like community

Located within The Cove Residences, adjacent to The Bristol condominiums, the initial release of The Townhomes is designed as a village-like enclave to foster connection and community while providing a tranquil urban retreat. Residents enjoy a safe, walkable lifestyle, access to 72 acres of parks, five miles of trails, a scenic dog park, the Point of Infinity sculpture by Hiroshi Sugimoto, the tranquil Clipper Cove beachfront, and access to an array of exclusive amenities and the forthcoming 10,000-square-foot wellness sanctuary, The Island Club. 

Exclusive amenities and The Island Club

Elevating the living experience, residents of The Cove Residences townhomes enjoy access to The Bristol’s LEED-certified amenities, which include an inviting lobby, a rooftop terrace with sweeping views for leisure and social engagements, and a modern fitness center. The forthcoming Island Club, a private sanctuary designed by Aidlin Darling Design, extends these luxuries with its 10,000-square-foot expanse dedicated to wellness and community. It features an array of amenities for relaxation and socialization, including a comprehensive fitness area, yoga and stretching rooms, a massage room, an outdoor pool and hot tub, and spa-inspired locker rooms with steam and sauna facilities. The Island Club also offers a private dining room, lounge, and library for quiet contemplation, a game room for entertainment, and an outdoor fireplace, all set against the backdrop of the island’s stunning views. 

Redefining urban living: Yerba Buena Island’s visionary approach

Emerging from two decades of strategic planning, Yerba Buena Island introduces a refreshing urban living model, placing you at the city’s core while surrounded by nature and community — and only an 8-minute ferry ride from downtown San Francisco. The success of The Bristol and The Townhomes exemplifies this innovative approach, merging modern urban architecture with a profound connection to the natural environment. This vision cultivates a lifestyle that enhances wellness, sustainability, and community ties. Yerba Buena Island presents a unique duality: a retreat and a dynamic link to urban life, affirming that city living can be revitalizing, environmentally aware, and deeply integrated with community values.

“The introduction of The Townhomes at Yerba Buena Island presents a lifestyle not previously available in San Francisco, blending urban convenience with perfectly-sized architectural residences amidst the serenity of nature,” shares Krysen Heathwood, senior managing director at Compass Development Marketing Group. “This unprecedented living experience emphasizes well-being, a connection to nature, and a genuine sense of community. We know and are already hearing that The Townhomes are truly a one-of-a-kind offering in San Francisco and the Bay Area.”

Sales begin this spring

The public sales launch for The Townhomes is set for this spring. Pricing starts at $2.85 million, and sales are represented by Compass Development Marketing Group.

YerbaBuenaIslandSF.com

Nestled along Southern California’s pristine coastline, Park Hyatt Aviara has unveiled its latest gem, the Miraval Life in Balance Spa Aviara. This addition marks the culmination of the resort’s extensive $60 million renovation, inviting guests to a sanctuary of wellness and tranquility.

Miraval’s global reputation in wellness is well-known, with its pioneering resort in Tucson leading the way for over a quarter of a century. Now, bringing its signature blend of mindfulness, spa treatments, and wellness activities to Carlsbad, California, the Miraval Life in Balance Spa Aviara promises a retreat like no other.

As a Southern California resident, I am eager to try their fitness, spa services, and culinary experiences firsthand—and uncover a new (and local) wellness venue.

Outdoor amenities

As the editor of Luxury Pools + Outdoor Living magazine, I naturally stop at the adults-only and kid-friendly pools first. Aptly named, the 18-and-over Ocean View pool features ample lounges, private cabanas, and poolside food and beverage service. The kids’ Splash Pool has a variety of depths and two tubular water slides!

In addition to the newly reimagined pools, the resort has several amenities, including Aviara Golf Club, the only coastal California course designed by Arnold Palmer, a TopGolf Swing Suite, tennis and pickleball courts, indoor and outdoor dining, and the new Miraval Life in Balance Spa Aviara.

Rejuvenating spa and well-being offerings

After a quick look around the pools and outdoor spaces, which includes a large lawn for outdoor fitness and yoga classes, I make my way to the Miraval Life in Balance Spa Aviara. Here, you can participate in unique wellness experiences like bungie fitness and aerial silks classes.

I opt for an aerial silks class, a practice that merges the art of yoga with silks, providing a unique perspective on flexibility and strength. I tend to struggle with focus during yoga classes, but the silks class combines core, strength, and yoga into a fun acrobatic experience. My instructor, Liv, is patient and encouraging, and I am certain to return for many more!

After trying my skills at silks, I indulge in a calming 80-minute hot stone massage, a perfect blend of heat therapy and aromatic essential oils. I get massages frequently, as I think they are an important part of self-care, but it is rare for me to completely relax and doze off during a treatment. However, my therapist manages to soothe my muscles and calm my mind, sending me into a twilight sleep. I leave the spa refreshed, completely relaxed, and hungry, which is perfect because a culinary experience is next.

Interactive culinary experiences

Miraval’s wellness programs enrich the mind and body. In addition to the fitness and spa services, the they offer several interactive culinary activities. I am booked for the Pisco Sour & Ceviche class, which is led by Chef Stephanie. This hands-on experience is fun and tantalizes the taste buds. Learning new recipes and sampling a cocktail and ceviche is an excellent way to round out my day of wellness. In addition to ceviche, Chef Stephanie has crafted up an array of classes—ranging from salsa and margarita making to smoothie blending. These are perfect activities for a day with friends, a unique date night, or even corporate team building.

Stay for a day or the week

For those seeking a wellness retreat that combines luxury with mindfulness, Park Hyatt Aviara’s Miraval Life in Balance Spa Aviara stands as a beacon. Whether for a rejuvenating spa treatment, a round of golf, fun fitness experiences, or simply to soak in the Southern California sun, this resort promises an unforgettable experience.

And you don’t have to be an overnight guest at the resort to indulge in a salsa-making or bungee fitness class. Pop in for a couple of hours or stay for the week. You won’t be disappointed. I am grateful to live just a short drive from the resort. Meet me there!

parkhyattaviara.com

Limited by neighbors and traffic on three sides, a new home on San Francisco Bay opens up on its fourth to spectacular waterfront views. Federico Engel, principal in Butler Armsden Architects, skipped the windows where the home faces those beside it. He gave it privacy on a streetside entry that’s packed with people and cars. Then he directed the eye from the front door through a courtyard and living area to bayfront vistas. “It needed privacy at the front, and action at the back,” he says.

Engel kicked off the design and construction by tearing down a 1965 Midcentury Modern with a fatal flaw. The site was an infill lot mired in mud from the bay. “That doesn’t lead to the best foundation,” he says. “The home had settled beyond repair, and we had to take it down.” 

In its place is a two-story, 3,500-square-foot masterpiece that’s an ode to both transparency and opacity. Started in 2019, its construction endured supply-chain challenges provided by the pandemic and took 28 months to build. It was finished in February 2022. The client is a Scandinavian whose family’s in the shipping business. 

He has a wife and two children—and a passion for developing properties around the world. In the States, he has homes in Montana, Southern California, and another that looks down to San Francisco. This home, though, is on Belvedere Island in Marin County, between Sausalito and Tiburon. It offers the area’s Mediterranean climate, but its high winds have to be dealt with too. 

Here, the types of houses that are most successful are either L-shaped or courtyard-based. “This one’s laid out in a courtyard way, so it’s protected from the winds but still has the views,” Engel says. “On windy afternoons you need a protected area, so the interior courtyard is an outdoor sitting room.” The courtyard is essentially a sculpture garden with low sofas, chunky rugs, and leather sling lounge chairs.

And the overall design reflects the textures of the site, with water glass, clouds, and landscaping. “I was trying to reiterate the emotional quality of late afternoon on the water at the end of the day—reflection, shimmer, back-lit shapes, and a quiet mood,” he says. A series of connected rooms all look out to the bay and blur the indoor/outdoor boundaries for different weather and environmental conditions. 

“On a super-nice morning you could be outside looking at the views, or in the courtyard, depending on the weather,” he says. “All provide different experiences but relatively unobstructed views.” His material palette here is simplicity itself. He used two types of Portuguese limestone—a gray/blue for the floors, and light green for the walls. He started out with the intent of using cedar for cladding out front, but strong demand and high supply-chain pricing pointed him in another direction.

He substituted another product called Thermory—a heat-treated natural hemlock. All its moisture’s been removed, and it offers a resistance to harsh exterior conditions. “It’s the same light color as cedar, with the same warmth that balances the limestone,” he says. “It came to us pretreated with that honey/amber color, and we sealed it to preserve that, but it will gray out eventually.” 

For furniture, textures, and artwork, Engel turned to Sabra Ballon, principal in ballonSTUDIO, a veteran collaborator with Butler Armsden. She’s an interior designer with a master’s degree in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, so she was aligned with what Engel sought to achieve. And she listened closely to the client. “There’s a Scandinavian aesthetic in the way he was brought up, which was very pure,” she says. “So we used leather, wool, cotton, and stone in very straightforward ways.”

She eliminated veneers for all the furniture—every piece is solid wood, even a bowl carved from a single chunk. “There’s a minimalism, and the building comes first—the furniture is there to sit on, and it’s a continuation of the architecture.”

The bedrooms upstairs are small, with a built-in desk for each child, along with a bed and trundle for sleepovers. “It’s like a cruise ship up there—with only enough room to come out and tiptoe around,” she says. “And there’s a sliding partition that can open up or close off the bedrooms.”

In the primary bedroom, the clients’ bed faces the water, so the designer added a dresser on the back side of the headboard, with bedside tables too. There’s room for one chair with wool upholstery and one table. In that bedroom and the family room, the designers eschewed framed art, and opted for art-like textiles on the walls instead.

“There aren’t a lot of tiny pieces, but larger rugs providing color, pattern, and a focal point, but not ‘Look at me!’” she says. After all, it’s the views of the bay that beckon.

Rather than demolishing the entire 1970s home that stood on this Solana Beach, California bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Hayer Architecture’s design folded in some of the original structure. “Coastal setback and city zoning requirements for new construction would have greatly decreased the size and negatively impacted the location of a new residence in terms of capturing views,” architect William Hayer explains.

Hill Construction Company, which built the home for the family of five who relocated from a nearby community, seamlessly blended those original elements with Hayer’s new design. The firm brought Hayer’s strong contemporary design to life, making the most of the stunning views within state regulations and coastal requirements.

The key? A symbiotic relationship between indoor and out. A consistent materials palette makes the design feel cohesive. Hayer collaborated with interior designer Anita Dawson in choosing interior and exterior finishes. “I wouldn’t necessarily say one drove the other,” the architect says when asked which set of finishes came first, interior or exterior. “The materials have to work in concert from inside to outside with an indoor-outdoor design such as this.”

A linear pattern of concrete pavers that alternate with skinny strips of pebbles define the entry court, where a fire pit faced in Ocean Blue lava (a material that repeats on portions of the façade) and concrete planters set against an illuminated black stone backdrop offer instant ambiance. Snow White quartzite makes up the stairs that lead to the large, frosted-glass pivot door, then beyond it, running underfoot throughout the main level, out to the back patio. “The home takes a beating with salt spray, so we needed strong durable materials inside and out,” Dawson says.

The foyer opens into the dining room. Here, a rusty-orange table pops in front of a glass enclosure with raked limestone tiles that displays wine, two bottles deep, on a black metal shelving system. “They needed conditioned wine storage, but the open floor plan didn’t lend itself to a separate room, so we turned it into a design feature,” Dawson says. The top is quite spare; the lower (less visible) half is more utilitarian.

The condenser hides in the adjacent console with black granite top that pushes through the glass enclosure. “I don’t like when pieces just end,” Dawson says. “I need them to pick up again.” The treatment highlights the designer’s stone-wrapped built-ins, which in turn reinforce what she calls “the solid, masculine masses” of Hayer’s architecture.

An expanse of Ocean Blue lava—the floor-to-ceiling fireplace surround—anchors the living room. Walnut ceiling panels, a thick, patterned carpet, and plush, espresso-colored linen velvet upholstery soften the swathes of stone, as do the forms of the sofas themselves. “The homeowners wanted lounge seating, but a square sectional would have pinched circulation to the patio,” Dawson says. Her solution? Modular seating in organic shapes by San Francisco–based furniture designer Jiun Ho.

Dawson plays with geometric volumes of wood and stone in the kitchen, too. While bleached wood cabinetry and a back-painted glass backsplash blend into the background, the Ocean Blue lava island floats above a recessed black plinth, and a walnut peninsula offers casual ocean-front dining. “The perpendicular orientation of the table allows more people to face the view,” the designer points out. “It’s also another way of accentuating the building’s many right angles.”

Tucked around the corner from the wine display, in the middle of the house, a floating staircase rises from a pebble floor that ties to the exterior entry area. Charcoal-stained oak treads meet charcoal-stained oak floors and doors on the second level, contrasting with the white Venetian plaster walls.

The large primary suite dominates the back half of the upstairs. The bed is sheltered within a cozy niche, its ebony leather headboard reaching the ceiling. Opposite, the hazy-blue back-painted glass wall echoes the ocean view. An oversize slider opens wide to the covered patio, blurring the lines between indoors and out as effectively as the floor-to-ceiling sliders in the living spaces downstairs.

In the bath, Dawson incorporates massing that relates to the blocky architecture. The monolithic black granite tub fills a glorious glass corner, wraps a wall of book-matched marble, then pierces the frameless glass shower enclosure, turning into a bench. The designer likens marble slabs to artwork, noting that this particular one, with its graphic marks, is reminiscent of an etching.

The kids chose the stone slabs for their bathrooms, where Dawson used white pebbled tile on the floor and designed a waterfall vanity that just pushes through the shower’s glass divider.

“I’m nothing if not consistent,” she laughs. It makes for good modern design.

Third-floor views of the Pacific Ocean are the beating heart of a design for a new home in Hermosa Beach, Calif. Its architect, Joseph Fournier, reversed the home’s layout to take advantage of those sweeping vistas.

The main living area, dining area, and kitchen – plus two decks for soaking in sunsets, drinks in hand –  are on the top floor. Five bedrooms with baths are on the second. The first is for mixed use, with a garage and a rec room that opens out for strolls to the beach two blocks west.

“It’s 400 to 500 feet, and a one-minute walk,” the architect says.

Fournier teamed up with interior designer Christine Vroom to maximize space inside and out for their clients, a beach-loving couple with three children. Their lot was small – about 2,400 square feet – so the designers opened up every livable space in the 3,750-square-foot-home for multiple uses.

Fournier handled the macro vision, and Vroom the micro. And they did it with style. “Actually, we were trying to achieve a little more of an edgy coastal home and create a space with more of a non-traditional coastal-house feel,” Vroom says. “We wanted it to be bright and open and with a lot of different entertaining spaces.”

Ordinarily, Fournier might have placed a roof deck over the third floor, but here it would have exceeded height restrictions. So instead the architect created a gabled roof that’s unique to the neighborhood. “We used a vaulted ceiling,” he says.

That gave a soaring feel to the open plan on the upper level – with a floor-to-ceiling height of 13 feet. “The ceiling’s so high, you feel like there’s more space,” Vroom says.

There are four decks in total, with one off the primary suite, one on the ground level, and two at the front and rear of the third level, all to emphasize the outdoors. But the vistas aren’t limited to decks alone. “When you’re on the top level, the ocean view is from all the windows on the west side,” she says.

The interior designer didn’t want built-in cabinetry to interfere with the views. Instead, she used blue skies to influence the color of the cabinets – and everything else. “It’s a California coastal palette, with blues, taupes, whites, and some brown tones,” she says. “There are lots of different tones of blues – soft blues, gray blues, funky blues, and, in the primary bath suite, a denim-y blue.”

Seeking an expansive feel for the home’s private spaces, Fournier made adjustments where he could. On the second level, he sacrificed one bedroom to give more room to all others. “There are five bedrooms instead of six, to get some additional square footage in each,” he says.

Durability and low maintenance were key to Vroom’s material palette, her concessions to ocean breezes, sandy feet, and salt air. The designer used easily cleanable fabrics and rugs, along with marble slabs for countertops. Her furnishings, too, are basic and comfortable. “They’re like: ‘I just want to lie here and watch movies with the kids – to veg and lounge,’” she says.

Outside, where there’s a high fire risk, Fournier used Hardie siding and board and batten. There’s a standing seam metal roof, plus aluminum-clad windows and doors. “Being next to the ocean is brutal over time, so we chose materials without high maintenance issues,” he says.

If it sounds like the architect and interior designer are on the same wave length, that’s because this is not their first rodeo together. With developer Mike Levine of Levine Homes, they’ve teamed up on a number of homes. Here, Levine selected the lot, Fournier designed the home, and Vroom took on the interiors.

Often, the result is a home designed for a mass audience. But with this home the clients stepped up before it was finished. “A lot of times, because there is such a limited quantity of housing, especially new construction, they can be bought before they’re even built,” Fournier says.

That’s what happened here. “They bought it and I presented the design,” Vroom says. “Then we customized it for them, rather for than the general public.”

For this family of five, that means the best of all possible worlds.

When it comes to buying or designing a new home, there’s one basic criterion that notoriously tops the proverbial checklist: location. It was this factor that provided the defining moment for notable architect Paul McClean, principal of McClean Design in Orange, California, when he was enlisted to help a homeowner and his family create their dream home in Bel Air, a coveted Los Angeles neighborhood.

“It’s a very unique lot, and it’s very steep with a long driveway, and kind of has a limited footprint that we could actually work on,” says McClean of the lush hillside lot he designed with help from contractor Craig Williams. “But, at the same time, it’s wrapped by trees, and feels almost very secluded and private, so that was what was attractive about the property. They appreciated that the site was nestled into the hillside and that the house could be designed in a way that allowed for very intentional interplay between the tree canopies and this ‘tree house’ emerging from within. There wasn’t a very wide parcel at the bottom, so we had to hug the house to the driveway in order to create enough room for the backyard, which we set up like a series of rooms.”

For the 14,000-square-foot modern home spanning six bedrooms and ten baths, McClean—who has designed projects in locations such as Beverly Hills, Laguna Beach, Turks and Caicos, and Whistler, British Columbia—tailored the design to the family’s needs and expansive art collection, and desire for a connection to the outdoors. “I’ve known the homeowner for quite a long time, and he wanted it as a family home [and a base for himself since they live partially in California and on the East Coast],” adds McClean, who also incorporated select furniture and pieces from the homeowner’s own collection. “He’s a big art collector and that was important to have places to highlight the art and just create a warm and inviting family home. And fitness was super important, so a gym was a big component, and they wanted a way to connect the various spaces to the outdoors as much as possible. We kind of saw that whole base floor as one extended entertainment living space.” 

The location of the home itself naturally determined the overall design direction. “It’s really lot-driven, and that’s something I find for most of our projects: We don’t set out to create unique shapes or anything, but most of it becomes site-driven by multiple conditions,” says McClean. “In this particular case, the lot is a very strange shape, and it’s almost like a backward ‘S’ form, so the house kind of weaves like a snake format around the usable parts of the lot, and we oriented spaces so that they had the best views and they are practical and useful, but at the same time [we had to] find ways to ameliorate those conditions where those corners come together, so there are some triangular spaces that we used for utility spaces, and that really helps to make it work and function.”

To accomplish this and take full advantage of the woodsy lot and city views, the house was designed with three stories: a basement level for a media room, wellness and fitness center, bar, and glass-enclosed walk-in wine cellar; a main floor with the garage, kitchen, dining room, family room, library, and a guest room; and an upper floor comprised of three bedrooms and outdoor patio on the West side, and primary suite on the east side. There is one additional bedroom above the garage.

“Each floor has two ‘wings’ that spin off a central axis staircase,” adds McClean. “We were able to achieve entertaining or guest wings on each floor, while opposite the axis, the more intimate and private wing would curve away, creating the S-shaped floor plan.”

For the materials, McClean chose teak for exterior cladding; steel; 12-foot-tall floor-to-ceiling glass windows; and walnut and silver travertine stone flooring. “It’s kind of floating in the forest, and we wanted to have warmer materials and have that feeling like you were in a forest,” explains McClean. “You don’t see other homes, you just see the distant view of Westwood. We spend a lot of time in our work trying to edit views with either water or landscaping, and we try to give that feeling that this a refuge with a sense of peace, calm, and tranquility.” 

McClean also designated a library and office space for the homeowner’s art and book collections with Poliform shelving; separate ”his” and “hers” primary baths with silver marble and walnut; and a sprawling outdoor space that features a large patio with a rectangular lap pool (with a potted olive tree completely contained within it) that has a reverse infinity edge that spills on both sides; a hot tub; and a lower reflection pond with stepping stones. “There are so many great reflections in that water if you’re sitting in the living room or the dining room,” explains McClean. “If you look across, you see the beautiful reflections of the sky at night. We wanted to create a variety of experiences within the house versus one thing that just gets repeated over and over again.”

Layering in experiences and subtle architectural nuances throughout the home was entirely intentional. “I am very happy with the way it turned out,” says McClean, of the four-year-long project. “It’s just a unique series of spaces. It’s not sitting on a flat piece of land somewhere with a traditional garden or a traditional front yard. The way it’s set up and the snaking orientation of the plan creates these interesting, intriguing moments. I really like that aspect of it.”  

For more information, visit mccleandesign.com

Built about 15 years ago, this four-story house in Hermosa Beach was ready for a refresh. The natural wood cladding and metal rails on the exterior coupled with the dark wood finishes inside, not to mention the serious lack of light on the top level, simply didn’t do the dwelling justice.

The new homeowners, a family of four with two dogs, desired a look that was lighter, brighter, and more fun. The words they used? Modern, Zen, swanky, elegant, hip, and cool, “These clients were adventurous,” says Anthony Laney, whose architecture studio, Laney LA, is also located in the Los Angeles beach community. “They invited us to be expressive.”

First, Laney pared back the exterior. That’s not to say he rebuilt it, however. “We began with the premise that we would avoid unnecessary demolition,” Laney explains. “The façade only required a cosmetic refresh.” As such, he replaced the balconies’ busy metal rails with swathes of matte aluminum and transparent glass panels that disappear in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. “The aluminum panels offer subdued reflections of the clouds, sky, and ocean,” he says. Refinishing the entire façade in white plaster completed the ephemeral effect.

The interior is altogether more bold. Entry is onto the second floor, which is all about entertainment and meant to wow. “They wanted the experience of a club,” Laney says. Inky blue-stained cabinetry with metal mesh inserts paired with a black quartzite backsplash and countertops hug a curved island wrapped in white quartz with gray veining. Illuminated glass teardrops hang over the neotenic piece, turning the tableau playfully glam. “There’s something the moodiness of dark millwork, stone, and metal that feels associated with libations,” Laney says. Even the swanky powder room with its black 3D tile is nightclub-inspired.

Like the exterior, the four-story floating staircase featured metal rails, which coupled with the dark treads and steel spine, felt chaotic. Laney did the unthinkable: He closed it up. “We reused the original structure and treads, boxing it in as a continuous wood volume from top to bottom,” he explains. Transparent glass panels that correspond to the ones on the exterior balconies complement the simplified white oak form and allow light to permeate. The outcome is masterful, proving less is more, even when opportunities for letting light in are involved. Despite fewer openings, sunshine is plentiful; as for the design, it is soothing and harmonious.

The third floor is devoted to quiet time. The primary bedroom suite boasts a wall of glass that opens to a balcony with a view of the Pacific Ocean. Opposite the bed, Laney created a daybed to fill dead space. The arched, oak-lined nook looks straight to the ocean. The airy, cozy nest is brilliant for reading or curling up when you don’t want to be in bed. “It’s surprising, yet feels inevitable; we can’t imagine it being anything else,” the architect says.

Laney retained the footprint of the galley bath that connects the bedroom to the closet, but gave it a crisp makeover. Trough sinks on a clean-lined vanity stretch between tall built-in cabinets, and a custom backlit mirror above is a fun detail. Matte black trim defines the glass-enclosed shower where three slabs of book-matched marble come together flawlessly.

At the top of the fourth floor, a swooped oak wall offers an early glimpse of the spectacular ocean vista. On the flip side, a daybed facing the wall of glass at the back of the house stretches alongside a picture window. Understandably, it’s a highly coveted spot for watching the sunset. The shell of the interior—white oak floors, white walls, and a hemlock slat ceiling—is sun-dappled and serene; all the attention flows to the outdoors.

An exuberant floral quadtych in fiery hues holds the center of the open-concept space. Here, a round Roche Bobois table with a Carrara marble teardrop base sits atop a circular rug edged with marine blue rays that evoke the ocean and sun.

To remedy the suffocated kitchen—dark wood cabinetry didn’t do it any favors—Laney exploded the entire ceiling. “We created a large lightwell that slopes up from the top of the cabinets to a massive skylight,” he says. The feature, which is more glass ceiling than mere skylight, washes the kitchen with light from early morning to end of day when shadows dance around the sleek white space. “What was the home’s worst feature is now its best,” Laney points out.

Opposite the island, an enormous U-shaped, channel-tufted banquette in a broody blue channel-tufted leather with a curved white oak base nestles into a niche around an equally enormous white oak table with rounded edges and an elliptical base. Delicate Rebecca Atwood wallpaper in stripey watercolor dots lines all three walls, providing a lyrical backdrop for a deliriously joyful art piece by Amber Goldhammer. The homeowners commissioned the graffiti-style painting and neon after seeing the Santa Monica-based artist’s work at a local restaurant.

The roof deck is West Coast nirvana. The lounge-y teak sectional, capsule-shaped firepit, built-in planters, and a white dining ensemble by Harbour Outdoor are the must-have accoutrements for hiding away or enjoying the salt air and ocean view with friends. Not only did Laney transform this home into a soulful oasis, he captured the family’s vibrant spirit throughout.

Learn more about the project team

Architecture and interiors: Laney LA
Builder: RJ Smith Construction
Doors and windows: Otiima USA
Breakfast banquette and table: Board & Block

Legendary basketball player Shaquille O’Neal lived in the house at 501 John Street in Manhattan Beach. Major League Baseball pitcher Ken Brett once lived there as well. Most recently, Danny Zuker, the executive producer of beloved television comedy Modern Family, owned the luxurious, 5,725-square-foot home.

Now the house is on to its next owners – no word yet on their celebrity status – as Zuker and his wife, noted photographer Annette Lombardi, recently sold the five-bedroom house for $10.5 million.

Nestled in the exclusive west side of the city’s Hill neighborhood, just a stroll from the beach and the superb restaurants and shopping of downtown Manhattan Beach, the three-level house enjoys views of the ocean and Palos Verde. Designed for entertaining, the property includes a pool and spa, built-in BBQ, circular fire pit, and pool house. The home’s style blends West Coast relaxation with French countryside elegance and boasts luxurious details throughout, including white oak and stone floors and bespoke cabinetry.

The master suite is a true escape, featuring a large stone fireplace, and a luxurious bathroom with a soaking tub and steam shower. And two fully equipped home offices allow residents to enjoy their home even when at work.

First of all, there are the views.

After all, San Clemente is located in California’s Orange County, known for hilly topography and ocean vistas to die for.

Then there’s the 1960s single family home owned by Rocio and Jeff Mckellips, on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. Redesigned on its interior many times over the years, it was tired and worn out when the couple found it. Rocio wanted to take it down to bare bones, tear down its walls on the main level, and start over with one big open space.

Enter Olga Dean, owner of the firm that bears her name. A go-getter, she started out first as an attorney, morphed into a mother and real estate broker, and finally found her calling as an interior designer. “I went out on my own three years ago and jumped into the deep end with big remodels – and got a tremendous response,” she says. “I’m like a heat-seeking missile now.”

That’s precisely what Rocio needed. She’d already hired a contractor and had some ideas about what she wanted, but she needed focus – and a collaborator. “I chose Olga because the first time she came to the house, she saw so much potential and how to make it our own,” Rocio says. “She had the eye – the big picture – and then she worked with me on all the details.”

The home is 3,600 square feet on two levels, and Rocio laid out all her ideas on a table for Olga to look at. “She said: ‘What do you think?’” Olga says. “And I said: ‘Working together, we could make it better,’ and she said: ‘Let’s do it.’”

So the two ran with it, in what Olga calls a beautiful collaboration.

The first order of business was to deal with a post that supported much of the second floor, but was prominent in the living area. Previous owners had transformed it into a waterfall, clad in stainless steel and mirrored glass with stones below – a total distraction from the sweeping vistas outside. “It was the first thing you saw when you entered,” Rocio says. “So now we take advantage of the view and it doesn’t impede.”

Next, they looked up at the ceiling – and thought about how to transform it, with drama. They bumped it up in the kitchen and entryway, then added white oak beams to match the floor across the first level. “It’s a very warm oak floor, and the beams over the kitchen were game-changers,” Olga says. “If we’d left the ceiling flat it, wouldn’t have been the same – and now there’s a gentle slope up from that post to the kitchen. We went up as high as we could.”

Adds Rocio: “At the entryway you can see how the ceiling lifts up, and even though it’s one big room, it lent itself to say: ‘Heres the entry,’ with rustic wood and a chandelier and the family room raised up six inches.”

Now, even though it’s all one open area, each room is defined by the ceiling and where the pair positioned the furnishings. They worked through it all, including the oversized sofas, and then the play of materials. “The Mckellips very much knew what they wanted, and that the space needed to be tied together,” Olga says. “That’s where the flooring and the beams in the kitchen and the post all came together.”

Rocio initially focused her color palette on black and white, something that’s trendy now in San Clemente. Olga persuaded her to use that as foundation, but then wisely added: “Let’s soften it a bit with colors of your choice – through accessories or whatever you feel like doing.”

Thus the pops of terracotta here and there, and the porcelain countertops in the kitchen and master bath,  white with hints of gray and the warm tones of wood floors.

It’s all the result of a collaboration, but also the mark of an interior designer who’s found direction in her career. “I saw the Oscars last night, and the winner of the best actress award said so many positive things – like: ‘Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re past your prime.’”

Clearly, Olga Dean is out to prove she’s not.

When a young couple saw this 3,000-square-foot home on a hillside in the Mission Canyon area of Santa Barbara, California, it had almost everything they wanted. It offered year-round sunshine in a peaceful rural setting, spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, abundant space for them and their two wirehaired pointing Griffon dogs, and a perfect indoor-outdoor feel. The only problem? The interiors didn’t match the couple’s style. 

“It was a nice house before the renovation, but it lacked functionality and warmth in many of the spaces,” says the wife. Indeed, the two-level home, built in 2011, had great flow and a spacious, airy feeling. In addition to open-concept space, the property had floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that fully opened. What the couple needed was a designer to overhaul the interiors. 

Enter Corinne Mathern, a California-based interior designer known for creating serene, elegant environments inspired by the natural world. “We feel so lucky to have been introduced to her by our architect, and from the start, we had a very natural rapport,” says the wife. “After discussing the design direction we hoped to go in, Corinne used the term ‘organic modernism’ as the aesthetic. We felt like, ‘Yes, you get us!’ and that’s what drove the project.”

Mathern used various raw materials to soften the architecture’s sleek lines and add a welcoming feel throughout the house. On the ground floor, white oak warms the ceilings of the great room, a free-flowing space composed of the kitchen, bar, and dining and living room areas. The wood also accents many of the furnishings, including the chairs and dining area table topped with obsidian quartzite. White oak stools tuck under the quartzite island in the kitchen area, which has two-toned walnut cabinetry. Walnut also graces the cupboards of the nearby bar, appointed with a sea pearl quartzite countertop and charcoal plaster backsplash.

“I’m not afraid of mixing woods and bringing in a lot of natural elements,” says Mathern, who used creamy, natural plaster to surround the living area fireplace set with a chunky stone hearth chiseled from an 800-pound block of Indian Buff limestone. “The natural plaster and stone hearth give the space a calm, earthy feeling, and we brought those same natural elements into the downstairs guest bath.” The bathroom sink was chiseled from the same Indian Buff limestone as the hearth and has a white oak apron. An oak mirror hangs above the sink area, tying the two elements together.

A huge priority for the couple was remodeling the primary bedroom and bath, a fully detached space above the garage about twenty yards from the main house. “The wife really wanted the space to feel like an elegant hotel, where they could lay their heads and feel calm,” says Mathern. “The couple has traveled extensively, and a big source of inspiration for the home and their bedroom was the Aman Kyoto in Japan.”

White oak flooring and a custom white oak wall behind the couple’s bed give the room an earthy warmth. A wheat-colored area rug softens and grounds the room, while natural linen drapery offers privacy. Other than two oak bedside tables, the room is soothingly minimalist.

White oak millwork also adds an organic glow to the primary bath, separated from the bedroom with pocket doors. Next to a large window that ushers in views of nature and copious light sits a luxurious soaking tub. Large-format floor tiles in a warm gray anchor the space.

An expansive deck off the suite lets the couple savor morning coffee or twilight drinks al fresco. In a nod to the concept of staying in a hotel, Mathern furnished the guest suite next to the couple’s quarters with a full bar, refrigerator, and coffee maker. 

To enhance the home’s natural flow, Mathern used the same floor tiles in the primary bath as the ground floor’s surface. The tiles even extend outside to a covered patio area and around the lap pool, creating a seamless link between the inside and out. Shrubs, flowering plants, and grasses add color and soften the architecture’s clean edges. A chunky stone firepit in a gravel “garden” offers a secluded place to contemplate the views and hang out with friends. 

Given the couple’s love of entertaining, Mathern created a media room on the ground floor to the left of the entry. The husband, who retired from the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 after an eleven-year career, now has a place for movie nights and game days. A ten-foot pocket door gives the space a cave-like feel, further enhanced by forest-green walls and a pine-colored linen sofa. “Green was really the only color we worked with, except for some blues,” says the designer. Most of the home’s colors come from natural materials, like wood, stone, clay, and plaster. 

“It’s so wonderful to finally feel the home’s full realization with comfortable spaces that fully function,” says the wife. “To be able to cook in our kitchen with our doors wide open to the views of the Pacific Ocean is such a privilege that we don’t take for granted. We are particularly pleased with the primary bedroom suite, which feels just as luxurious as a hotel, but homey, cozy, and completely ours, in a way that a hotel never can.”

For more information visit corinnemathern.com