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Contents

A SENSE OF PLACE Architect James Conrad, Designer Lauren Williams Of Matrix Design And Michael Reeves Of Corbin Reeves Collaborate On A California Beach House That Works With The Land Text by Erika Heet Photography by Darlene Halaby

SONOMA SANCTUARY A Wine Country Home Designed To Embrace Its Natural Surroundings Text by Lotus Abrams Photography by Adam Potts

QUIET LUXURY Designer Wendy Haworth Creates A Lush European Hideaway In The Heart Of Los Angeles Text by Kerstin Czarra Photography by Kort Havens

TRANQUIL IN GRANITE BAY Designer Rachel Madden Rebuilds Her Own Her Own Home Text by Kavita Daswani Photography by Stephanie Russo Styling by Rachel Forslund

Features

SPRING 2025

102

ECLECTIC NATURE Architect Geddes Ulinskas Designed A Contemporary Home Highlighting Light And How It Inhabits The Space Text by Kavita Daswani Photography by Manolo Yllera

ABOVE Designer Rachel Madden brings her signature aesthetic and design

philosophy to her own home. It is warm and inviting, with a balance of classic and contemporary—a mix of farmhouse with a cottage spin. The complete teardown and renovation was her biggest project to date. She knew it would be her forever home, where she would raise her children. See story beginning on page 94. Photograph by Rachel Forslund. RIGHT The award-winning design team from Hoffman & Ospina created an

elegant outdoor living space for the Brentwood home featured on our cover. The firepit is surrounded by furniture from the esteemed Virginia-based company McKinnon Harris. See story beginning on page 52. Photograph by Manolo Langis.

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20 | CALIFORNIA HOMES

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Contents

39 NOTEBOOK

Departments

58 GARDENS Hoffman & Ospina and Zeterre Landscape Architecture Shape Outdoor Spaces that Inspire Calm and Connection

SPRING 2025

26 CALENDAR California Museums, Galleries & Events

BY HEIDI GERPHEIDE

64 ENTERTAINING A Mediterranean-Inspired Garden Party Celebrating Design, Olive Oil, and Food

BY KATHY BRYANT

30 EVENTS & AFFAIRS Exciting and Prestigious Events throughout the State

BY JENNIFER BLAISE KRAMER

110 OUT & ABOUT

BY MEGAN KEOUGH

California’s Special Events for the Design Industry

34 BOOKS

The World of Peter Dunham: Global Style from Paris to Hollywood Text by Peter Dunham Photography by Matt Walla Relaxed Luxury Text by Chad Dorsey REVIEWED BY KATHY BRYANT

22 | CALIFORNIA HOMES

Contributors

Editor’s Letter

IME REALLY DOES FLY and I can’t believe summer is just around the corner. It has been four months since the terrible fires in Los Angeles and many people have lost their homes, businesses, and more. Southern Californians

have once again proven their ability to stand together, helping those in need and giving hope for a steady and successful recovery from this tragic disaster. We also thank our neighbors in all surrounding areas of California, and beyond for their help from donating clothing and household supplies to cash donations. The Palisades Design Network is one such organization that has quickly been established to help those in need. It is a consortium of experienced residential architects, and landscape architects, design

MANOLO LANGIS Manolo Langis, architect by training, photographer through life. Through his keen sense of space paired with his aesthetic eye, Manolo captures architecture and nature at their finest moments. Pairing technique with ever changing environment, Manolo creates soft yet evocative photographs. His work is featured internationally. See his photography beginning on page 58.

professionals, client representatives and general contractors who share resources and guidance to rebuild and restore the Palisades & Alta Dena residential communities. There is strength in design, and even greater strength in collaboration. The Palisades Design Network unites those who know these communities best to ensure that what rises from the ashes is thoughtful, enduring and worthy of the people who call this place home. The PDN is led by Grant Kirkpatrick, FAIA, the founding partner of KAA Design Group, Inc. If you would like to join the network, please go to palisadesdesignnetwork.com and complete the “Join Us” section on the homepage. Topanga Canyon Farmer’s Market has been honored to partner with World Central Kitchen to support those directly impacted by

JENNIFER BLAISE KRAMER Jennifer Blaise Kramer grew up in the East Bay’s old town of Danville. Over the years she lived in Arizona, Boston, and Minneapolis, before returning to the Golden State, where she now lives in Santa Barbara with her husband, three daughters, black lab, rabbit, and four chickens. She writes about homes and gardens for regional and national publications and recently co-authored Small Garden Style (Ten Speed Press, 2020). See her Entertaining story beginning on page 64.

the fires. Through this collaboration, they have been able to distribute fresh, organic produce boxes and gift cards to families and individuals rebuilding their lives after loss. These produce boxes are sourced from local farmers and filled with seasonal, nutrient-rich food. The gift cards provide a bit of extra relief, giving recipients the ability to make choices that meet their specific needs. But as recovery efforts continue, the need for support continues. To make this support sustainable and extend it to all who need it, additional funds are needed. Every donation helps keep this effort going. For more information please contact Kate Kimmel and Freddi Swanson at hello@topangafarmersmarket.com or call 818.480.1118. I hope you enjoy this Spring issue of California Homes Magazine and maybe receive inspiration from the homes and gardens featured for your own rebuild. Susan McFadden Editor in Chief

24 | CALIFORNIA HOMES

KAVITA DASWANI Kavita Daswani, born in Hong Kong and having lived in London and Paris before settling in Los Angeles, is a seasoned journalist whose work has appeared in prominent publications such as California Homes, CEW, South China Morning Post, and the Los Angeles Times. She began her career as a reporter for the South China Morning Post and has since contributed to leading fashion and design platforms. She is also an eight-time published novelist, whose books have been translated into 17 languages. See her feature stories beginning on page 94 and 102.

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CALIFORNIA HOMES

THE MAGAZINE OF ARCHITECTURE THE ARTS & DISTINCTIVE DESIGN

Move beyond illumination

SPRING 2025 PUBLISHER

Heidi Gerpheide

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Susan McFadden

ART DIRECTOR

Megan Keough

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Kendra Boutell

ART EDITOR

Kathy Bryant

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lotus Abrams Kerstin Czarra Kavita Daswani Erika Heet Jennifer Blaise Kramer CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Christopher Amitrano Maren Caruso Ann Chatillon Douglas Friedman Darlene Halaby Kort Havens Manolo Langis Leah O’Connell Adam Potts Stephanie Russo Manolo Yllera

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VOLUME 29 · NUMBER 2

San Francisco

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Laguna Niguel

Calendar MUSEUMS & EVENTS BY KATHY BRYANT

Amy Adler A Safe Place, 2022 Pastel on paper 27 x 19 inches

ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART

Over the last 25 years, pioneering artist and filmmaker Isaac Julien (b. 1960, London) has created immersive, multichannel video installations. Celebrated for his poetic visual narratives, Julien explores power, politics, and personal experience through the lens of race, class, gender, and sexuality. Featuring 10 major video installations made between 1999 and 2022, alongside select early single-channel films including his iconic Looking for Langston (1989). The works’ themes range from global migration to the collection and appropriation of African artists and art by Western museums to the celebration of cultural figures who overcame racial oppression. Shot across Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, and Asia, Julien’s works untangle the complex web of post-colonial conditions that has shaped the lives of individuals and societies across the globe.Julien’s Ten Thousand Waves will be on view in Wilsey Court through July 13, 2025.

Los Angeles–based artist Amy Adler works across the disciplines of drawing, performance, photography, and film. Nice Girl presents a new body of oil pastel works that investigate the ubiquitous social media mirror selfie, reflecting how people both see themselves and share outward their own reflections. Across the 20 canvases that comprise the show’s installation, a series of anonymous young women meet our eye, each having made the choice to share their likeness online with the public. Raising questions of identity, femininity, youth, imagination, and performativity, Adler’s process is intimate, laborious, and physically demanding, requiring time not generally reserved for our contemporary mode of image viewing. Adler’s work offers a poignant reminder of what it feels like to search for who you are—trying on identities, assessing your self-worth through the eyes of others, and ultimately experiencing what it’s like to be observed: by friends, family, strangers, and, ultimately, oneself. Nice Girl will be on view through September 7, 2025.

For more information, please visit famsf.org

For more information, please visit ocma.art

Isaac Julien North Star (Lessons of the Hour) (detail), 2019 Framed photograph on gloss inkjet paper mounted on aluminum 63 x 84 inches

FINE ARTS MUSEUM OF SAN FRANCISCO– DE YOUNG | LEGION OF HONOR

THE SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART– BALBOA PARK Norman Foster (British, b. 1935), is one of the most esteemed international architects of our time, with projects worldwide. Foster + Partners: Architecture of Light and Space focuses on models and designs for a select few of his many celebrated projects, organized into three themes: Working with History; Embracing the Environment, and Community and Culture. All these subjects are underpinned by sustainability, and crucial to Foster + Partners’ vision for an upcoming renovation of The San Diego Museum of Art west wing. Foster + Partners: Architecture of Light and Space will be on view through August 10, 2025. For more information, please visit sdmart.org

28 | CALIFORNIA HOMES

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Calendar | MUSEUMS

Ruth Asawa Untitled (S.046a-d, Hanging Group of Four, Two-Lobed Forms), 1961

SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART SFMOMA is showing Ruth Asawa: Retrospective, the first major national and international museum retrospective of the groundbreaking work of Ruth Asawa (1926-2013). This first posthumous exhibit features the entire spectrum of the artist’s practice. Sculpture, drawings, prints, paintings, design objects and archival material from US-based public and private collections offer an in-depth look at her expansive output. She explored the ways her longtime San Francisco home and garden served as the epicenter of her creative universe. Ruth Asawa: Retrospective features more than 300 works spanning six decades of the artist’s career, engaging in the full range of materials and techniques that Asawa employed. Her signature looped-wire sculptures will share gallery space with lesser-known works in other mediums. The exhibit remains through September 2, 2025.

Henri Matisse The Clown (Le clown) from Jazz, 1947 Color pochoir in opaque watercolor on paper 16 5/8 x 25 5/8 in

DE YOUNG | LEGION OF HONOR– SAN FRANCISCO In the final decades of a prolific career, artist Henri Matisse (1869-1954) took up book illustration. This exhibition celebrates the museum’s acquisition of Jazz, Matisse’s 1947 artist book on the circus and theater. Jazz includes 20 color stencil prints (pochoirs) or popular subjects on these themes, from horses to ringmasters. The prints were created using the artist’s lively paper cutouts, what Matisse called “drawing with scissors.” Jazz is considered the pinnacle of Matisse’s graphic art. This presentation offers the rare chance to see the unbound works from Jazz in conversation with other Matisse artist books. The exhibit remains through July 27, 2025. For more information, please visit famsf.org

Late Shang to Early Western Zhou dynasty Ritual Wine Vessel (Zun) Bronze Excavated from Shigushan Site, Baoji in 2013

Qin dynasty style (20th century) Chariot and Horse No. 1 (Replica) Bronze Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Site

For more information, please visit sfmoma.org

BOWERS MUSEUM–SANTA ANA

Ruth Asawa Untitled (WC.187, Two Watermelons), 1960s

For more information, please visit bowers.org

30 | CALIFORNIA HOMES

World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century opens at Bowers Museum on May 24 and runs through October 19, 2025. This exhibit features over 110 newly unearthed treasures making their North American debut. “We are incredibly proud to be hosting this historic exhibition in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the original discovery of the warriors, “ says Dr. Sean O’Harrow, President of Bowers Museum. “And we are excited to feature new discoveries from royal tombs dating back a further 2,000 years.” Highlights include iconic life-size sculptures of soldiers and horses, alongside intricately crafted half-size chariots; jade and gold ornaments, bronze vessels and ceremonial fittings; rare relics from Shimao, dating back 4,000 years.

ERIK PETERSON AIA

An award-winning architectural firm in Beverly Hills, Erik Peterson AIA and his team are making a significant impact in LA resort living including projects at The Maybourne, Casa Del Mar, Shutters on the Beach, and more. The renowned firm excels in designs for Bespoke Residential, Hospitality, and Private Golf Clubhouse by crafting stunning spaces that are both impressively grand and wonderfully human. Their team defines “Living Architecture” as a space that harmoniously combines site, form, functionality, and the human scale, creating the connective link between the surrounding environments and each client’s goals and vision. Let us design your home to be your personal resort.

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Calendar | EVENTS & AFFAIRS

SAN FRANCISCO DESIGN WEEK San Francisco Design Week returns for its 19th edition from June 2–10, 2025, bringing a dynamic, week-long celebration of design to the city. Spanning neighborhoods and disciplines, SFDW highlights the Bay Area’s unique blend of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that continues to shape the future. What began as a regional showcase has grown into a global platform—one that reflects San Francisco’s deep roots in experimental thinking and bold, boundary-pushing design. Here, visionary startups and design-driven companies are reimagining how we live, work, and connect, influencing billions around the world with ideas born in the Bay. This year’s festival invites attendees behind the scenes with studio tours, exhibitions, and thought-provoking conversations. From cutting-edge architecture and fashion to groundbreaking products and digital experiences, SFDW offers an inspiring look at the people and projects designing what comes next. For more information and updates, please visit sfdesignweek.org

LOS ANGELES DESIGN FESTIVAL The Los Angeles Design Festival invites the community to engage with Design Futurism through diverse perspectives rooted in our shared human experiences. From the smallest touchpoints in daily life to large-scale global systems, design is everywhere—guiding actions, influencing culture, and shaping the environments we move through. This year’s festival brings together the visionaries—the misfits, dreamers, and boundarypushers—who see design as a key to unlocking a more intentional future. Design Futurism is not just a concept; it is a multidisciplinary call to action, connecting the past, the present, and the possibilities ahead. Los Angeles Design Festival will begin June 26–29, 2025. For more information, please visit ladesignfestival.org

OPENING 2025 FARMHOUSE AT DESCANSO GARDENS Opening this spring in La Canada Flintridge, Farmhouse at Descanso Gardens will offer a dining experience rooted in nature and community. Set within the scenic beauty of Descanso’s cultivated gardens and natural landscapes, the restaurant will be led by Chef Richard Mead, known for his thoughtful, ingredient-driven cuisine. Drawing inspiration from the gardens themselves, Chef Mead will craft seasonal menus using locally sourced ingredients—many from longtime friends and nearby farmers—inviting guests to gather and enjoy meals that reflect the spirit and charm of Descanso. Designed to blend seamlessly with its surroundings, Farmhouse will feature a spacious main dining room, garden patio, and an outdoor cocktail lounge. A handcrafted indoor/ outdoor bar made by local artisan William Stranger from fallen garden oaks, along with handpainted botanical murals and lush greenery, will enhance the immersive ambiance. Open daily for lunch and dinner, with weekend brunch offerings, Farmhouse at Descanso Gardens in Corona del Mar will be a place to celebrate everyday moments in an extraordinary setting. For more information, please visit descansogardens.org/farmhouse

32 | CALIFORNIA HOMES 28 | CALIFORNIA HOMES

S F D E S I G N C E N T E R .C O M 4 1 5 .4 9 0. 5 8 8 8 T WO H E N RY A DA M S S T R E E T & 10 1 H E N RY A DA M S S T R E E T

Books REVIEWED BY KATHY BRYANT

ABOVE Lush crimson

enriches a garden bar in Napa, once a left over space. FAR LEFT The entry of

The World of Peter Dunham: Global Style from Paris to Hollywood Text by Peter Dunham Edited by Stephen Drucker Photography by Matt Walla

Interior designer Peter Dunham’s first book is a deep dive into his design philosophy and how it evolved. “This book is a look into how I approach what I consider to be a successful project, marrying the homeowner, the site and the decor to create a house with style, charm and personality. Getting the balance right is what I love doing. I might not have set out to be a designer, but somehow all roads have led to this book,” writes Dunham in the Introduction. And quite a journey Dunham takes the reader on. Pictures of designers and rooms who influenced him, places he lived with his peripatetic family throughout Europe, especially Paris, are interwoven with his own homes and his acclaimed textiles. Dunham is known for his bold use of color and pattern, sophisticated yet casul style and timeless aura. The Wall Street Journal described his style as “Merchant Ivory Moderne” and “restraint with a kick.” This monograph features a dozen of Dunham’s most recent projects, ranging from chic New York City penthouses to sunny California gems,

34 | CALIFORNIA HOMES

this 1961 house in Fire Island Pines has a console by Bradley Duncan that echoes the pine on the stairway. BELOW Two small rooms

were combined to create a large open living room. A drawing by Russell Forester hangs over the fireplace.

ABOVE The farmhouse

in this Napa house was painted peacock blue. TOP RIGHT Dunham

likes the counterbalance of lights by Paavo Tynell which add sparkle to an open kitchen. RIGHT A buildup of

sands, blues and pinks are found in this guest room. The rug is a vintage Indian dhurrie and the bed is from Dunham’s collection.

as well as his own residences including his Paris pied-a-terre. Each chapter illustrates the rich imagery of his design ethos: color, rhythm, togetherness, nature. Dunham and his design team are also currently restoring older houses and collaborating with renowned architects on new residences. Among these projects are a modernist Marmol Radzinger house in Montecito, an iconic 1963 Horace Gifford house on Fire Island and residences in Newport Beach, Los Angeles, among others. “I like to think everything I do in life and work is about 75 percent planned and 25 percent serendipity… I still get the same thrill from every finished job,” he says. CH The World of Peter Dunham: Global Style from Paris to Hollywood Text by Peter Dunham Edited by Stephen Drucker 320 pages , 250 color illustrations Hardcover, 10 x 12 inches $75 US ISBN 978-0-86565-444-0 Vendome

SPRING 2025 | 35

Books

Relaxed Luxury Text by Chad Dorsey

ABOVE A functional display ebonized oak

kitchen with a handpainted Chinoiserie by artist James Mobley over an antique mirror. TOP RIGHT Brass elements, patterned

upholstery, and a crystal chandelier from a Parisian hotel complement hypersaturated lacquer walls, turning an underutilized craft room into a late-night escape for intimate evenings at home. RIGHT White seating makes way for

the blues and greens of a splashy 1978 screenprint by Larry Poons in this otherwise neutral living space. Dorsey commissioned a custom area rug to fill the expansive living room floor and added a deep-seated sectional, making the interior feel current, relaxed, and casual but luxurious.

36 | CALIFORNIA HOMES

Architect and Designer Chad Dorsey created the term “relaxed luxury” to describe current design trends that feature casual yet still elevated decor. It is a design concept that allows for comfort in the home, while, at the same time, has sophistication and classic beauty. In Dorsey’s book Relaxed Luxury he details what this type of design really is. The book highlights over a dozen of the longtime Texan’s most notable projects from the last two decades. The photography illustrates the rooms but there is the added bonus of advice from Dorsey on everything from paint choices to clever tricks for space-saving. There are mood boards from Dorsey on how to translate the style of elevated relaxation in your own home. The monograph features a variety of projects from penthouse pied-a-terres to restored historic homes to modern bungalows around Texas. This book stresses that Dorsey is a powerful voice in the American design style and originator of an original aesthetic. “Relaxed luxury is the idea of living casually with things a person loves to touch and feel in a way that is approachable and not precious. Relaxed luxury is understated,” continues Dorsey. “Often quiet, it can go unnoticed, but the user with a discerning eye will appreciate the details and the soothing feeling.” CH

Relaxed Luxury Text by Chad Dorsey 256 pages, 311 illustrations Hardcover, 10 x 13 inches $120 ISBN: 9781649803603 Assouline

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Notebook

Human Touch

Jarrod Baumann of Zeterre Creates Healing Gardens

BY ERIKA HEET

CH What is the origin of the name Zeterre? JB The letter Z has always been special to me. It

has multiple spiritual meanings, including wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Terre is the Latin word for earth. The name Zeterre for me is about listening to and understanding the earth—its healing powers, its beauty, its complexity—learning from it and designing with the knowledge of all of those qualities so as to enhance our designed experiences. These experiences heal us and fill us with joy.

SPRING 2025 | 39

Notebook | VISIONARY

In our gardens we extract these qualities, and celebrate them in an abridged way so that our clients get to experience this on a daily basis.

CH What initially drew you to landscape architecture?

JB I grew up in California on

one of the most beautiful pieces of raw land (over 800 acres) with incredible wildflowers blanketing our meadows, flowering trees dotting our hillsides, and majestic ancient oaks standing proud around us. I started gardening at 5 years old and was planting seeds and bulbs with my grandmother at the family ranch, and I was so intrigued

with the magic that happens when a tiny seed or bulb grows to create such a large and beautiful plant. I still fall in love with the magic every day and am constantly amazed at how healing and beautiful gardens are and the effects they have on us as humans. My grandfather was a developer and built custom homes. By the time I was 12 I had a subscription to Architectural Digest and wanted to be an architect, until my neighbor suggested that perhaps I should study landscape architecture when she saw how beautiful my “secret garden” was that I designed and built near my parents’ home. I remember saying to her, “That’s not a profession—that’s a hobby!” Luckily for me it has been both to me.

been to Europe to study gardens and architecture every year for the past 20 years, and have been so fortunate to love what I do, so I am a “sponge” when it comes to retaining the knowledge and what I have learned from past masters. I also have a photographic memory, which certainly helps.

scents, sounds or feelings that are conjured up when one experiences the gardens as they were designed and meant to be). I personally have lived through a lot of trauma, and nearly died from it a couple of times. When I could barely get out of bed, it was my garden giving back to me that got me outside to see what new was blooming and what had changed. It gave me hope and made me strong. We all need this raison d’etre in our lives. I personally very much endeavor to create gardens that are so enticing and healing for my clients that it forces or beckons them to be outside and become addicted to this healing magic.

CH What should every good land-

CH What projects are you

scape design include, and what should people be implementing into their landscapes right now?

working on now?

CH What inspires you the most in your work, both from a landscaping and non-landscaping angle?

JB Most definitely my travels. I have

JB Healing qualities in our

gardens. Especially with all that is going on in the world today, they should be designed to heal people (whether it be from the beauty,

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JB So many private and public

Edens all over the world…the exciting ones that come to mind: • A private residence in the Silicon Valley for one of the leading heads of AI. I love doing things that have never been done before.

For him, we are creating pool that I have designed with a hydraulic lift that lifts the pool bottom to become a deck over the top of the pool. There are three different sections of this hydralift that allow me to raise whichever portions I want individually, so the middle portion will be a boardwalk sometimes that crosses the pool to an art-viewing area while the other two portions are dropped, which creates the feeling of two pools with a hovering boardwalk across the top. This is just the pool. Wait until you hear about the native plant boardwalk, healing garden and the outdoor kitchen carved out of a boulder…. • The Museum of Jazz and Art on Lake Merritt in Oakland • A 12-house compound near Montpellier, France that appears as eight 17th-century homes from the cobblestone street out front, but in the back, we have combined all of the gardens to

create a hidden Eden for healing as well as the family’s culinary and recreational needs. • And of course there is always a super exciting non-disclosure project going with us. The current one is near D.C. and set on 200 acres— that is all I can say. Oh, and that it’s special and what we are doing has never been done before.

CH If you hadn’t become a landscape architect, what kind of artistic path or career do you think you might have pursued?

JB I might have become a jewelry designer or a blacksmith. I love organic molding of matter.

CH What is your favorite indulgence in life?

JB Freedom and being able to

be spontaneous. If not that, then probably fashion. Secret confession: I have over 150 pairs of good shoes.

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Notebook | PLACES

WAYFARE TAVERN

REVISITED

Designer Jon de La Cruz is Leading the Way in Creating a New Look for the Bay Area Dining Scene PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT of San Francisco is coming back to life. Chef Tyler Florence handpicked designer Jon de la Cruz to bring his signature blend of heritage and warmth to the new location of Wayfare Tavern. His firm, DLC-ID, is leading the way in the new landscape of Bay Area restaurant design, including the award-winning Che Fico and Protégé. The design pairs exposed brick and timber beams with refined furnishings and rich wood tones, striking a balance between grit and grace. Generous windows bathe the room in natural light, while a palette of spice tones, deep greens, and crimson accents sets a bold and inviting mood. Custom lighting nods to the Gold Rush era, adding a touch of theatrical elegance. “As with Tyler’s recipes, the vision was to take something familiar and comforting and elevate it—infusing every detail with a sense of craft and discovery. The design taps into the strong identity of Wayfare, layered with nods to the Barbary Coast and the textured romance of Gold Rush-era saloons.” –Jon de la Cruz CH Wayfare Tavern, 201 Pine Street, San Francisco wayfaretavern.com de la Cruz Interior Design, dlcid.com

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Designer: Studio Cabida @studiocabida Stone: Calacatta Arabescato Corchia

whitemarble_pietrafina 23190 Connecticut St, Hayward, CA | 510.670.1010

Notebook | SHOP

DISCERNING

EYE

Interior & Textile Designer Leah O’Connell Opens a Jewel Box Atelier in San Anselmo BY HEIDI GERPHEIDE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LEAH O’CONNELL

DESIGNER LEAH O’CONNELL has opened the doors to her new atelier in San Anselmo. This discreet, welcoming space functions as both a studio and a carefully curated retail shop showcasing her line of textiles, furniture, and discovered treasures. Like O’Connell herself, the shop is unpretentious, creative, and impeccably stylish. The furniture collection includes lovingly named pieces that seem plucked from a Jane Austen novel— like the Chit Chat Chair, Why Worry Lounge, and Tipperary Sofa & Chair—each handcrafted using the finest natural, organic materials. These new heirlooms are designed to become part of a home’s evolving story. O’Connell’s devotion to beauty and nature shines in her textile line, which is an ode to florals. In the shop, you’ll also find lampshades and pillows made with her textiles, with the option to customize sizes and details. Antiques and found objects fill out the mix, along with selections from a few of O’Connell’s favorite craftswomen—such as Jess Wheeler, Scanlon Apparati, and The Green Vase. These artisan-made additions give the space a layered, one-of-a-kind character. “I really only want to carry brands that you can’t find elsewhere in the Bay Area,” she says. CH Leah O’Connell Design, 609 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, leahoconnelldesign.com Her textiles are also available at HEWN in San Francisco hewnsf. com and at Hollywood at Home in Los Angeles hollywoodathome.com

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Fabulous. Functional.

and F un!

original

Eye-catching style and a rainbow of colors are hallmarks of the popular Klassiker ™ Kitchen Collection. From the entry-level Smallie™ to the hard-working Professio™ and new pot-filler, the collection is the embodiment of precision engineering combined with flawless design. Each faucet in the line is built with exceptional craftsmanship and a genuine commitment to environmental stewardship. The collection is offered in 20 different shades ranging from Sky Blue, Leaf Green and Crimson to more neutral options like Gun Metal Grey and Dark Tan. But the possibilities don’t stop there... Flusso also offers custom-finished faucets in almost any imaginable hue. Klassiker Collection faucets make the perfect focal point in the kitchen: sleek, sturdy, functional and utterly chic! Created in the Flusso® Design Lab in Dallas with premium quality stainless-steel construction.

original

Flusso offers the finest kitchen faucets with colorful possibilities.

FLUSSO KITCHEN & BATH COMPANY 11927 Mustang Rd, Ste 100 Dallas, Tx 75234 isenbergfaucets.com 972.972.9198

Flusso Kitchen & Bath Company

larger flusso

Available in brushed stainless steel and 20 eco-friendly, ceramic-based color options.

Notebook Notebook || PRODUCT CLOTH & PAPER

OBSOLETE Garden Urns, England 1950 11270 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, obsoleteinc.com

PENNOYER NEWMAN Tulip Urn pennoyernewman.com

OUTDOOR

LIVING

A Selection of Seating, Planters and a Must Have Drinks Cart to Breeze Into the Warm Weather Season

DEDON Atolo Lounge Chair Available at Dunkirk 101 Henry Adams Street, No. 355, San Francisco, dunkirksf.com

MCKINNON HARRIS Thirza Drinks Cart in Majesty Palm mckinnonharris.com

MARCH Billy Cotton Large Terracotta Column Planter marchsf.com

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Build the Life You Deserve

CookConstructionSF.com

Notebook | CLOTH & PAPER

FOG & FURY

Organic and Functional Felt Textiles with the Power to Inspire a Deeper Reverence for the Natural World PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAREN CARUSO

SAN FRANCSICO-BASED Kristin Kelly Colombano discovered her passion for felt while on a photo assignment in Mongolia. She immediately fell in love with the process and spent several years studying internationally with numerous renowned felters before launching Fog & Fury in 2016. “Authenticity, integrity, beauty, and mastery of craft are some of my driving forces.” The felt is made primarily from wool but may feature exotic animal fibers such as yak, alpaca, camel, llama, and mohair. The inspiration behind the design comes from nature: veins in marble, ripples in sand, layered strata of a rugged cliffside, and the perfect imperfection of tree bark. CH Fog & Fury is available through De Sousa Hughes in San Francisco and Thomas Lavin in Los Angeles. fogandfury.com

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(Clockwise from left to right) 1. Each piece is crafted by hand, one at a time, slowly, and with intentional care. Wisps of wool are pulled from carded roving, and fibers are layered with precision in preparation for felting. 2. “Color Field” pillows feature fine wool in amber + rust and heather + lavender, framed in mocha, and finished with a luxurious sheen of camel down and mulberry silk. 3. Kristin wet felts at her work table in the Box Factory studio, nestled in San Francisco’s Mission District, surrounded by works in progress and felt wall hangings. 4. A close-up of the felted surface of the “Marbled Striation” blanket in soft hues of cream, ecru, olive, caper, and moss. 5. Fog & Fury’s “Steppe” upholstery, felted with undyed Manx wool and striped with natural flax fiber, accentuates the graceful curves of Kimberly Denman’s “Grace” sofa. 6. A pair of “Striation” pillows in a natural honey hue highlights a lustrously soft, untamed surface of curly mohair locks felted into a rich blend of camel, wool, and silk. To the right, a solid cream throw with an elegant drape is felted from natural Suri alpaca wool and finished with a fringe of exceptionally silky, long white Suri locks.

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Notebook Notebook||CLOTH PRODUCT & PAPER

NATURAL WORLD

De Gournay Pays Homage to Bunny Mellon and her Enduring Legacy at the Oak Spring Garden Library in Virginia PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DE GOURNAY

A PERFECT PARTNERSHIP for the first collaboration of the de Gournay, Bunny Mellon Collection inspired by the extensive collection of essential books, manuscripts, and artworks relating to horticulture, landscape design, botany, natural history, and the decorative arts, all acquired by renowned gardener, tastemaker and philanthropist, Mrs. Mellon and now housed within the Oak Spring Garden Library. “Her passionate and unwavering patronage of the arts and the handmade resonates deeply with our own dedication at de Gournay to the finest artisanal handcraft” says Hannah Cecil Gurney, de Gournay’s Director. The collection includes hand-painted and hand-embroidered wallpaper and hand-painted porcelain that speaks to Mrs. Mellon’s lifelong curiosity about the natural world. CH degournay.com

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Notebook Notebook || SPOTLIGHT CLOTH & PAPER

WHERE MUSIC MEETS DESIGN Tidelli Unveils the Pentagramma Collection by Francesco Maccapani Missoni IN A BOLD HARMONY OF DESIGN and innovation, Tidelli has partnered with celebrated Italian artist Francesco Maccapani Missoni to debut the Pentagramma Collection—a limitededition series unveiled during Art Basel at the Tidelli showroom in Miami. Drawing its name and inspiration from the five-line musical staff, Pentagramma celebrates the rhythm of design through color, form, and composition. This collaboration marks a defining moment where contemporary furniture becomes a canvas for artistic expression.

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Francesco Maccapani Missoni, a visionary whose creative roots run deep in the legendary Missoni family, brings an emotive and architectural sensibility to the collection. A graduate of Politecnico di Milano and 2023’s BOOMSPDESIGN Designer of the Year, Francesco is known for blending art, culture, and spatial awareness. His works have graced major cities across the globe—from Milan to São Paulo — and now take form in a dynamicnew language of furniture. Pentagramma reimagines four iconic Tidelli pieces—the Quechua chair and armchair, the Oslo bench, and the Club Cube—in an astonishing palette of 20 rope colors across 12 exclusive patterns. “With the Pentagramma Collection, we want to enhance our customers’ experience by allowing them not only to appreciate Francesco’s art but also to bring this beauty home in the form of furniture,” shares Tidelli founder Tatiana Mandelli. CH tidelli.com

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krmlandscapes.com 310.709.7948

695 TOWN CENTER, NO. 150, COSTA MESA

949.204.3744

LEICHTCA.COM

Gardens

GARDEN MASTERY

Hoffman & Ospina and Zeterre Landscape Architecture Shape Outdoor Spaces that Inspire Calm and Connection BY HEIDI GERPHEIDE

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Gardens

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANOLO LANGIS

CALIFORNIA IS SYNONYMOUS with effortless outdoor living. With its temperate climate and picturesque landscapes, it’s a place where the line between indoors and outdoors blurs beautifully. This feature explores two distinct visions of luxury garden design, courtesy of the acclaimed firms Hoffman & Ospina and Zeterre Landscape Architecture. From pristine pools and lush pavilions to artistically layered gardens, these outdoor environments redefine what it means to live well and beautifully. With a reputation for crafting immersive, timeless outdoor spaces, Hoffman & Ospina takes a designforward approach grounded in classical sensibilities. Led by principals Anna Hoffman and Juan Camilo Ospina Londoño, the firm draws inspiration from traditional European garden forms—symmetry, strong axial lines, and refined plant palettes—while embracing the breezy charm of midcentury modern and tropical aesthetics.

ABOVE Graced by nearly an acre of incompara-

ble, park-like grounds, gardens, and a private vineyard, this legendary estate is privately enveloped by lush landscaping and double gates designed by Hoffman & Ospina. RIGHT Indulge in the quintessential California

lifestyle. Hoffman & Ospina designed seamless indoor-outdoor living and lush, private exteriors boasting antique stone fountains and fireplaces, 80-year-old olive trees, and a Hamptons-inspired swimming pool. OPPOSITE TOP Hoffman & Ospina created a se-

OPPOSITE BOTTOM This stunning lyre-shaped

pool, once cracked and outdated, has been meticulously restored by Hoffman & Ospina to its original grandeur, with modern upgrades including a luxurious spa and captivating water feature. Set against a backdrop of mature palms, the surrounding landscape has been reimagined with low-water use Mediterranean plantings.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER AMITRANO

rene garden walkway featuring clean concrete paving, bordered by lush green hedges and neatly trimmed shrubs. Cast stone planters, decorative antique pieces, and terracotta accent tiles add an elegant, timeless charm to the space. The warm tones of the terracotta elements beautifully complement the greenery.

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Gardens OPPOSITE TOP A classic, tranquil setting

designed by Zeterre is defined by sublime symmetry and offers the perfect space for both relaxation and elegant entertaining. OPPOSITE BOTTOM LEFT A contemplative

moment unfolds in this contemporary Zen garden. Zeterre is a true master at crafting immersive experiences in nature across their projects. OPPOSITE BOTTOM RIGHT A checkerboard lawn

of alternating concrete and grass redefines garden design expectations. This imaginative space designed by Zeterre also features a white oyster shell bocce court, a stainless steel and glass wind room, over two hundred vivid and rare plant species, custom sculptures, and furniture, and a winding, serpentine stone wall.

ABOVE A Southern California project designed by Hoffman & Ospina features several outdoor rooms and

gardens that complement each other. Outdoor living rooms feature oversized stone slabs that offer heat to herringbone limestone patterns and legacy furniture by McKinnon and Harris. BELOW The pool area also continues, creating separate gathering spaces with chaises, trees, and planters.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANOLO LANGIS

Supporting the pool house, the landscape and the stonework, which feature limestone, marble plaster, and porcelain tiles, reflect the use of the space.

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Their signature style is one of quiet sophistication, where structure meets softness. Manicured hedges give way to layered, painterly plantings; serene fountains and sculptural elements invite reflection and repose. Whether a courtyard garden or expansive estate, every space they design is a study in contrast and cohesion—formal yet inviting, polished yet personal. In contrast, Zeterre Landscape Architecture infuses gardens with bold artistry and a contemporary edge. Based in San Francisco and founded in 2006 by Jarrod Ryan Baumann, Zeterre’s projects are sculptural, vibrant, and deeply rooted in site-specific narrative. The firm specializes in high-end residential and estate gardens, often working with clients who desire outdoor spaces that are as thoughtfully curated as their interiors. Zeterre’s approach treats the garden as a living canvas. Think intricate plant mosaics, sweeping terraces, and infinityedge pools that seem to spill into the landscape. Each design honors the natural topography and climate, ensuring ecological harmony while making a visual statement. It’s landscape architecture that doesn’t just enhance a property—it transforms it. What unites both firms is their commitment to creating environments that offer respite, beauty, and connection. In a world that feels increasingly fastpaced and fragmented, the gardens of Hoffman & Ospina and Zeterre are spaces of calm and creativity—sacred sanctuaries in every sense of the word. CH

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ZETERRE

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Entertaining

ABOVE Fresh décor

FRUITS OF THE

FIELD

A Mediterranean-Inspired Garden Party Celebrating Design, Olive Oil, and Food BY JENNIFER BLAISE KRAMER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN CHATILLON

ON A WARM AFTERNOON, three talented women came together to throw a garden in a spirited collaboration. The al fresco event was held at a Santa Barbara home designed by Caroline Thompson, co-owner of Cabana Home, who curated the lunch in tandem with Pascale Beale to celebrate her new cookbook, Flavour, and Elise Magistro, owner of Luretik’s olive oils. Together, the three women joined forces to lift each other up.

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included Hallstein water bottles and citrus. TOP LEFT Luretik olive oils, used in every dish. LEFT Butternut squash soup matched the autumnal vibe. BELOW A seasonal menu on seasonal linens. OPPOSITE TOP Caroline Thompson arranged florals “more flora rather than flower.” OPPOSITE BOTTOM Dishes were as fresh as the décor, drizzled with olive oil.

“This was a feast of the senses—taste, smell, and visual—celebrating the collaboration of design in all its many forms, the bounty of food, the fruit of the tree, and the gathering of community around a table in the beauty of nature,” Thompson says. Since the “fruits of the field” event was held al fresco, Thompson wanted it to feel more earthy than fussy. For centerpieces, she used more flora than flowers. Tables were covered in vintage Moroccan rugs, a nod to the Andalusian style of the home, while a palette of ochre, maize, sage, and terracotta echoed the interior hues. “All the same principals are put into play whether designing a room, an event, or an outfit,” says Thompson, adding that it’s all about balance, texture, contrast, serviceability, playfulness.

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Entertaining

ABOVE Interiors were also designed

by Cabana Home. TOP RIGHT Pascale Beale prepped a lunch in tune with the season. RIGHT Beale with her cookbook, Flavour. BELOW Elise Magistro, owner of Luretik Olive Oils.

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The menu, created by Pascale Beale, was a collective of recipes from her new cookbook. “Flavour is about the taste of each season, so we wanted to reflect that,” Beale says. Since it was fall, she chose autumnal recipes and incorporated three Luretik estate olive oils: Toscana, Sicily, and Meridione. Guests enjoyed a three-course menu of roasted butternut squash soup drizzled with oil; a grape harvest salad with roasted cauliflower, dates, and pesto; and an apple and pear galette with pomegranate crème fraiche ice cream, kissed with Luretik’s balsamic vinegar. Just as the olive oils complemented the food, the menu reflected the setting. “There’ s a deep connection between our oil and the setting on a philosophical level, Magistro says. “Just as the home’s Andalusian architecture draws from centuries of European craftsmanship while being distinctly Californian, our olive oil is rooted in the time-honored traditions of Italy but shaped by our exceptional local terroir.” For her, olive oil isn’t just an accompaniment, but rather the foundation of Mediterranean style cooking, enhancing fresh, local ingredients. “Pascale’s menu was also an exemplary illustration of this same concept, it highlighted the best of what grows here, and she treated the primary ingredients with the same respect and restraint that defines the great culinary traditions of the Mediterranean.” “In the end, what made this gathering stand out was the way it embodied a lifestyle: refined but never fussy, steeped in tradition but meant to be lived,” Magistro says. “The event was a perfect expression of what makes Santa Barbara County unique—a place where deep ties to the European old world, an extraordinary agricultural and food culture, and an effortlessly modern California way of life all come together.” CH cabanahome.com pascaleskitchen.com luretik.com californiahomes.com

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Designer Caroline Thompson

toasts guests Diane Pannkuk, Linda Butterwick, Jill Taylor, Julie Morley, Margaret Kemp, Jana Hildre, Christina Kensington; Anne Wilder Carol Marsch; Leslie Schneiderman and Caroline Thompson; Julie Morley BELOW Beale topped off her apple and pear galette.

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The ICAA Southern California is a community-focused organization, and we are actively exploring ways to offer meaningful and lasting support in navigating these unprecedented times together. Southern California’s beauty, strength, and resilience can be seen all around us. Please visit our calendar of events at www.classicist-socal.org for upcoming opportunities to join together around our shared values. Firmitas, Utilitas, Venustas.

ICAA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA UPCOMING EVENTS: Ben Pentreath, February 12th

Erik Evens, April 16th

Loyzaga, February 26th

The Composite Order, April 26th

Gracie, March 6th

Wade Weissman and Mark Weaver, May 14th

Ferguson & Shamamian with Ohara Davies Gaetano, March 20th

Plein Air Sketching, May 17th

Intro to Classical Mouldings, March 26th

Bullocks Wilshire tour, June 6th

Barbara Sallick, April 9th

Design in Mind screening, June 12th

FEATURES SPRING 2025

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A SENSE OF PLACE ARCHITECT JAMES CONRAD, DESIGNER LAUREN WILLIAMS OF MATRIX DESIGN AND MICHAEL REEVES OF CORBIN REEVES COLLABORATE ON A CALIFORNIA BEACH HOUSE THAT WORKS WITH THE LAND TEXT ERIKA HEET | PHOTOGRAPHY DARLENE HALABY

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A bookmatched koa pivot door complements the limestone and stucco exterior, whose horizontal lines continue to the rear facade and reference the view to the horizon beyond.

ERCHED ON A BLUFF ABOVE MONARCH Beach in Dana Point, California, is a house that was built to exist in harmony with the natural world. Situated on a relatively flat lot with expansive ocean views, the house is low slung, its architectural rhythm set by a roofline of varying heights, topped in copper meant to patina naturally amid the salty sea air under an open sky. “This house seamlessly blends with its natural surroundings, offering breathtaking views of the water below,” says Lauren Williams of Matrix Design, whose firm took on the interior architecture and design for the clients, a couple deeply involved in the design process. Architect James Conrad and builder Michael Reeves of Corbin Reeves Construction ensured that the home blended into the somewhat strict standards of the area vernacular, yet existed as a testament to how a home can be architecturally significant while not taking away from its idyllic setting. “The clients were wonderful to work with,” Conrad says. “They wanted a well-designed home with all the details thought through. And they wanted a home that was built to last.” Central to this tenet was the use of enduring materials, beginning with the exterior stucco highlighted by hardy Texas Shell stone accents. At the entrance, approached via modern Travertine pavers, is a commanding custom center-pivot door made by Brassington Casework, its bookmatched koa panels set within a solid mahogany frame to match the windows and doors of the couple’s adjacent offices. “The clients were involved in every aspect of the design, down to the very tiniest detail,” Williams notes. “They have exquisite taste and knew exactly what they wanted.” A perfect blend of materials continues inside, where the limestone transitions into large floor tiles that extend from the foyer through the great room, which completely opens up to the exterior views via pocket doors. A mix of quartered and figured custom koa cabinetry defines the main living spaces and bedrooms, while black granite caramel onyx slabs bring more earthly elements inside. The clients “wanted even more drama in the office,”

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Williams says, so she ramped it up with a bookmatched ziricote veneer and petrified wood wall tiles, adding a deep, dark wenge flooring and custom desk. Throughout the construction process, which lasted just over a year, the clients would often travel from their main home to meet with Reeves for daylong planning sessions, which resulted in an ideal collaborative process that fulfilled the clients’ vision for the house that will eventually become their full-time residence. Never losing sight of the need for this home to be its own island of sorts, the design and construction team implemented aesthetic approaches along the way that ensured its

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uniqueness. Williams created gathering spaces that focused inward for conversation and entertaining, and outward for relaxing on the terrace and taking in the views, depending on the couple’s moods. Conrad masterfully designed the pool to maximize privacy for the clients while establishing a feeling of oneness with their surroundings. “The design embraces a modern, minimalist aesthetic, using natural materials to complement the rugged terrain and reflect the serene beauty of the water,” Williams says. “Every room is oriented to capture the everchanging views, making the home feel as though it is floating above the horizon.” CH

ABOVE The horizontal lines

continue inside, where the design team implemented black granite caramel onyx accents in the living room. LEFT By design, the limestone-

clad pool was raised to block the view of the home below, while maximizing the ocean view from the pool. OPPOSITE Black onyx and cus-

tom koa cabinetry define the kitchen, which is open to the living room, ideally outfitted for entertaining.

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The wine room is located just off the entrance. RIGHT Floor-to-ceil-

ing glass allows for unimpeded views from the primary bedroom, accented by more custom koa finishes.

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SONOMA

SA N C T UA RY A WINE COUNTRY HOME DESIGNED TO EMBRACE ITS NATURAL SURROUNDINGS TEXT LOTUS ABRAMS | PHOTOGRAPHY ADAM POTTS

ABOVE The glass-door entry

reveals the property’s dramatic views of the Valley of the Moon and Sonoma Mountain.

OPPOSITE Tucked into a corner of the

kitchen, the breakfast nook features a built-in banquette and an oversized pendant light from Golden Lighting.

AZING UPON THE VIEWS from a new home in Sonoma belonging to a Midwestern couple nearing retirement, it’s easy to see what drew them to the area. “The homeowners had always dreamed of living in the wine country, and this property’s sweeping views of Valley of the Moon and Sonoma Mountain provide such a spectacular setting for this chapter of their lives,” says architect Luke Wade of Wade Design Architects, the firm that designed the home with clean lines and a blend of contemporary and historical elements. Built from the ground up by Eames Construction, the 3,000-square-foot home is embedded into the sloping site so that the views are revealed from the moment one approaches the metal-framed glass entrance door. The great room is the heart of the home — grand in scale, yet at the same time intimate and inviting. Pocketing glass doors open wide to the landscape; a double-sided stone fireplace adds warmth; creamy quartzite slabs and custom painted

80 | CALIFORNIA HOMES

A lofted, cedar plank-clad ceiling with cedar-wrapped beams shelters the great room. OPPOSITE

A neutral color palette and natural textures evoke the Sonoma landscape.

SPRING 2025 | 81

LEFT Kitchen finishes include

the quartzite countertops and backsplash and custom painted white oak cabinetry. RIGHT The home’s placement,

natural stone pathways, and rock façade entry are designed to harmonize with the natural surroundings.

white oak cabinetry define the kitchen; and a lofted, cedar plankclad ceiling shelters the space. “We were able to do something novel with a truss system that reinforced the centerline of the room with the feeling of a ridge beam, but in reality, the ceiling continues to climb and let in light through a series of clerestory windows,” Wade says. The interior design draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape, from the golden hills and vibrant green vineyards to the gnarled olive and oak trees. “Being a Sonoma native, I reflected on what it is about living in Sonoma that I love so much and what would be new and special to a couple from the Midwest,” says interior designer Kati Kelly, founder of Kati Kelly Interior Design. “Life in Sonoma is pure, organic and relaxing, and I wanted the interiors to capture that as well.” To that end, the Kelly paired a simple palette of stone, wood and plaster finishes with neutral colors and textured furnishings and textiles. “We even used bouclé to reflect the texture of the sheep in the field,” she says.

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The nature-inspired aesthetic extends to private areas of the home, including the primary bedroom, where the bed is set against a backdrop of grasscloth wallpaper printed with a tree design. Bathrooms incorporate elements like marble, limestone, brass, and ceramic and porcelain tile — all tied together by custom white oak cabinetry. Outside, a new 700-square-foot ADU stands ready to welcome visits from the homeowners’ grown children; landscaping designed by Paul Rozanski Landscape Design blends seamlessly with the surroundings; and spaces are outfitted for outdoor living, including a firepit and jetted tub. “This home is special, and everyone who has been in it feels it,” Kelly says. “It’s awe-inspiring and humbly subtle all at the same time.” CH

ABOVE Marble and limestone embellish

the primary bathroom. TOP LEFT A custom built-in reading

bench in the primary bedroom is a cozy spot to start and end the day. OPPOSITE Printed grasscloth wallpaper

provides a soothing backdrop in the primary bedroom.

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Landscape designer Scott Shrader framed the front entrance with a bonsai jade tree planted in a reclaimed water pipe. OPPOSITE Framed by

glass-paneled doors, the entry unfolds like a modern still life— anchored by a Dessin Fournir table, Charlotte Perriand stools, and a French antique mirror.

QUIET LUXURY

DESIGNER WENDY HAWORTH CREATES A LUSH EUROPEAN HIDEAWAY IN THE HEART OF LOS ANGELES TEXT KERSTIN CZARRA | PHOTOGRAPHY KORT HAVENS

SPRING 2025 | 87

ABOVE Designer Wendy Haworth,

a former Vogue photo editor, has a talent for creating rooms that draw you in like a memorable image. RIGHT A Masao Nakahara painting

presides over a texture-rich living room, where Portola Roman clay walls meet an antique wool rug from Jamal’s. A linen-covered sofa, Rose Tarlow velvet pillows, and drapes add layers of warmth and elegance.

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F CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN, texture undoubtedly defines the home—especially when that home is a 6,500-square-foot Mediterranean-inspired retreat in a gated Los Angeles enclave. Its owners, veteran Hollywood storytellers, sought to imbue the new build with European warmth and ease. To achieve this, they turned to Wendy Haworth, the celebrated designer known for her ability to layer spaces with spirit, patina, and an effortless sense of lived-in luxury. Haworth envisioned the home as a villa in the city, drawing inspiration from the timeless charm of European hamlets and the understated, soulful aesthetic of Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt. The result is a California retreat that balances romance and restraint—equal parts refined bohemian and aristocratic ease. “The owners have distinct sensibilities—he favors tradition, while she gravitates toward the modern—so the challenge was finding that perfect equilibrium,” says Haworth. The first step in transforming the home was a comprehensive overhaul of its finishes to infuse texture, warmth, and individuality. An oatmeal-colored Roman Clay was applied to the walls, offering a subtle yet refined contrast to the highgloss French gray moldings. The oak flooring, initially disconnected from the lofty, white-washed drywall ceilings, prompted the designer to take a bold step by introducing timber ceilings. “We wanted to establish a direct relationship between the floors and the ceilings, creating a more cohesive, cozy, and intimate atmosphere,” she explains. To further elevate the space, the fireplaces were adorned with elegant limestone mantels and bespoke plaster shelving, adding layers of texture and a sense of enduring permanence to the home’s design.

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A view from the dining room to the kitchen shows off the home’s wide-plank oak floors and timber ceilings, which Haworth used to warm up the space. The kitchen rush chairs are 1950s Charlotte Perriand.

ABOVE A handmade tile backsplash from Country Floors and glass-front cabinets with sheer linen panels transform the kitchen into a warm

gathering space for the family. Fabricut Roman shades and a Gregorius Pineo chandelier add refined charm. The barstools are from Thomas Hayes. BELOW Haworth embraced a muted, natural palette to echo the landscape. Portola Roman clay sets the tone for a Formations table, custom Holly Hunt linen chairs, an antique mirror, and a Formations chandelier. Ben Ton’s Dogs and Lilies completes the scene.

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LEFT The designer used

spaces like powder rooms to articulate Old World design, using marble counters, a classical faucet by Samuel Heath, grasscloth wallpaper from Donghia, and romantic Urban Electric sconces. RIGHT Another bedroom

boasts moody Ralph Lauren wallpaper and a custom headboard with mohair fabric from Thomas Lavin. The bed skirt is from Loro Piana, and the pillows are covered in Now Voyager fabric with Samuel and Sons fringe. The lamps are vintage. BELOW The seating area

in a guest room combines a Fortuny floor lamp, antique chair, and bedside table to create a charming, comfy reading nook.

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LEFT An unused office is

reimagined as a chic speakeasy wrapped in Philip Jeffries grasscloth. Moore & Giles leather-clad the bar, and mohair-covered Dessin Fournier stools are upholstered in Thomas Lavin fabric. BELOW LEFT In one of the

second-floor bedrooms, Haworth used rare but memorable pops of pattern, including a hand-blocked floral wallpaper by Marthe Armitage. The bed is from RH, the floral pillows are from Claremont, and the bed cover is striped from Zara Home. The lamps are vintage.

The palette, though deliberately restrained, is a sophisticated blend of earthy greens, rich chocolate browns, and warm rusts—hues that echo the natural landscape beyond. This foundation gave Haworth the freedom to experiment with fabrics and subtle patterns, layering historic Fortuny prints with relaxed linens, sumptuous mohair, and elegant leather. “I find joy in juxtaposing humble materials with more luxurious ones,” she explains. “Linen and silk, velvet fringe paired with canvas or leather—each element invites intimacy. These tactile pieces ask you to get close and truly experience them.” Haworth sourced some furniture pieces and fabrics from her Silver Lake design store, Now Voyager. The designer also used artwork to add to the home’s narrative—working with art consultant Karyn Lovegrove. For the guest bedrooms, Haworth chose old-world-inspired wallcoverings to make a subtle statement and conjure a mini escape. “I encourage clients to make bedrooms a little different,” she explains, “and wallpaper makes them instantly cozier.” The homeowners love entertaining, so a special space to gather with friends was on the wish list. The designer reimagined a small, unusable office as a custom leather-padded bar that opens onto a courtyard patio. The outdoor spaces were created by noted landscape designer Scott Shrader, who also collaborated with Haworth on the home’s styling, used herringbone charcoal brick, and added a custom pergola, fire table, an antique fountain, and specimen plants to create a lush escape. “The idea was to give them a beautiful entry garden that also serves as a livable outdoor room,” says Shrader. Haworth’s intuitive fusion of historical craftsmanship with character-driven furnishings and objets d’art has yielded a space that feels entirely transportive. “When the windows and doors are open, there’s an undeniable warmth and soulfulness,” she reflects. “The best compliment is when guests say they can’t believe this is in the heart of Los Angeles.” CH

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In the bright, airy living room: Armadillo rug on the floor, beneath a coffee table from Restoration Hardware. A chandelier from Currey and Company hangs above Lee Industries sofas and Redford House side tables. Rose Tarlow performance fabric is used to upholster the chairs.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY NICOLE DIANNE

TRANQUIL IN GRANITE BAY DESIGNER RACHEL MADDEN REBUILDS HER OWN HOME TEXT KAVITA DASWANI PHOTOGRAPHY STEPHANIE RUSSO STYLING RACHEL FORSLUND

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OCATED IN THE TRANQUIL community of Granite Bay, California, 30 minutes north of Sacramento, designer Rachel Madden’s latest project was not just any home renovation—it was her own. A complete tear-down and rebuild, this personal project allowed Madden - the founder of Rachel Madden Interiors - to bring her signature aesthetic and design philosophy to life, guided by her naturally intimate understanding of how she and her family would live in it. The home, which is adjacent to expansive trails and lakes, is situated close to the water. It was originally a

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modest ranch-style house, built and inhabited by the same owner for decades. While Madden had previously undertaken small redesigns in her past homes, this was by far her most ambitious personal endeavor. “We knew it was going to be our forever home, the place we would raise our kids,” said Madden, who had moved with her family from Marin County. “I knew I was going to touch every single surface, do all the space planning, and get everything exactly as I wanted. We created a canvas to paint the furniture, art, and decor, and the final product is so beautiful.” Before embarking on the full-scale renovation, Madden and her family lived in the house for a year as renters, giving her the opportunity to space-plan and

develop a clear architectural vision. The first step in the process was constructing a 1,100-square-foot ADU on the grounds, which served as their temporary residence during the two-year build. The original home, a low-pitched, single-roofline ranch, was completely reimagined. Today, it stands as a stunning 4,000-square-foot residence that Madden describes as “a mix of farmhouse with a cottage spin—sort of an East Coast Cape Cod/ Nantucket feel.” The former garage was transformed into living space, and every window and door was placed with purpose to frame the lake views. One of the guiding principles behind Madden’s design was ensuring that interior design and

architecture worked in harmony from the outset. “Every space was designed with furniture layouts in mind,” she explains. “Interior design should be considered alongside architectural plans from the very beginning.” With this philosophy in mind, Madden collaborated with trusted professionals she had worked with before. The architectural plans were developed by Leonard Woehler, principal at LRWoehler & Associates. The general contractor was Kenneth Development, based in El Dorado Hills. Madden’s years in the industry also meant she could pull from a well-established network of vendors and artisans to bring her vision to life.

ABOVE A welcoming outdoor

space is created using a pendant from Palacek, dining chairs from Four Hands, and a dining table from Woodbridge. Walls of moss rock are in the foreground. OPPOSITE For the breakfast

nook: a custom dining table from Community Manufacturing, dining chairs from Made Goods, a lantern from Currey and Company, wall sconces by Visual Comforts, and a sideboard from Four Hands.

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Madden’s personal aesthetic—warm, inviting, and a balance of classic and contemporary—comes through in every detail. “I wanted to bring in some old-world charm,” she says. “With new builds, there’s always the challenge of making it feel like you’ve been there a while, so it’s not just a square white box. It needed to have character and warmth.” Architectural details abound, from carefully considered trims and millwork to custom cabinetry and oversized, thoughtfully selected windows. Finding the perfect windows alone took weeks. The interiors feature muted shades, organic materials, and vintage artwork, creating a lived-in yet sophisticated feel.

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For furnishings, Madden made the bold decision to start fresh. “We ended up selling everything we had previously and got all new furniture, a lot of it custom,” she says. “I really wanted to go all in.” Madden’s approach to designing her own home allowed her to tailor it specifically to her family’s lifestyle. All bedrooms, including the primary, are clustered on one side of the house, while the television is deliberately placed in a dedicated media room rather than having television sets scattered throughout the home. “I’m a big proponent of having just one TV in the house, and not in the living room,” she notes.

The family room holds a Verellen sofa, Megree and Co Ottoman, and a vintage cabinet/chest.

LEFT Kitchen pendants are from Top

Original, counter stools are by Lee Industries, faucets are by Perrin and Rowe and the pot filler is by Waterworks. Kitchen cabinets are painted in Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore. BELOW Madden was able to plan for every

small detail, down to storage and display, based on how her family lives.

A standout feature is the prep kitchen, an extension of the main kitchen that enhances functionality. “It’s an amazing design feature,” Madden says. “The kids use it for baking, making smoothies, and preparing their lunches, while I use it as a prep area for larger meals.” The home’s transformation extended beyond its walls to the landscape. Madden worked with Red Leaf Developments Inc. in Loomis to revamp the outdoor spaces. The property originally sat on sloped land, requiring fill work to create a level foundation for a porch and patio.

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ABOVE At the outdoor fire pit: chairs by Summer

Classics and lanterns by Bevelo. Bluestone bands are set in the concrete. LEFT Wall sconces by Visual Comforts. OPPOSITE

In the primary bedroom - Rowe chairs, a rug by Annie Sielke, pendant by Palacek and curtain fabric by Kerry Joyce. The bed is custom made.

“The outdoor space is just as important as the interior,” Madden says. “We are constantly outside, lounging on the outdoor couches and dining in the fresh air.” Now, two years after moving in, Madden remains as enamored with her home as the day they completed it. “It’s really amazing to be able to design your own house, to shape every detail, how it flows and is laid out,” she says. “It’s exactly what I wanted. I’m still pinching myself.” CH

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ECLECTIC

NATURE

ARCHITECT GEDDES ULINSKAS DESIGNED A CONTEMPORARY HOME HIGHLIGHTING LIGHT AND HOW IT INHABITS THE SPACE TEXT KAVITA DASWANI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANOLO YLLERA

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Living room seating flanked by entry to kitchen and passage to entry vestibule.

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View of living room with full height windows facing west to Raycliff Terrace.

F IT HADN’T BEEN FOR A MISSED deadline, Geddes Ulinskas might never have become an architect. As a high school student in San Diego, Ulinskas applied for a scholarship from the renowned Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, with plans to pursue a future in illustration or commercial art. “I missed the deadline,” Ulinskas recalls. Encouraged to apply instead to the architecture program, with the idea of switching to art later—he decided to give it a shot. “I remember thinking, ‘What do I know about architecture?’” For his application, he submitted a conceptual design for a home dedicated to American naturalist John Muir: a structure embedded in a rocky outcrop along a quiet sound, organic in shape and deeply connected to nature. “The judges seemed to like it,” he said. “I went to Pratt for architecture and never transferred out.” In 2005, Ulinskas launched his namesake architecture studio, headquartered in San Francisco with a secondary office in Los Angeles. From the start, his career took off. “Jobs came quickly, and that was a combination of luck and hard work,” he said. A key early connection came through a top-tier Bay Area builder of high-end homes, who immediately understood and embraced Ulinskas’ design sensibilities. “He seemed to appreciate my style and how I did things,” Ulinskas said. “He sent clients my way. It was an incredible break to have someone so well-established in the industry supporting me, like a guardian angel. My first three large projects were with this firm, and that’s what helped me establish my name.”

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Since then, Ulinskas has worked on some significant projects, including a gut and significant expansion on Raycliff Terrace in San Francisco. “It’s the way the light dances off the water and fills the space—it’s a reminder of how art and light can permeate a space. And that was our client’s vision,” said Geddes of the house, whose interiors were designed by Shamir Shah Design in New York. “I’m not shy about saying that my success in creating beautiful architecture comes from my good fortune of being involved with visionary clients.”

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The primary exterior material is horizontal Accoya wood siding in grey from Japan, complemented by deep-charred vertical siding. Ulinskas said the clients had visited Naoshima—also known as Japan’s ‘Art Island’—which had inspired the couple. “I loved that the clients were bringing their ideas from other parts of the world to her home,” he said. Throughout his career, one of the things that has set Ulinskas apart is his continued use of hand-drawn

illustrations—an increasingly rare practice in the digital age. “I still really love to draw, and that is still the hallmark of my practice,” he said. “I like to do hand illustrations of architecture and especially use watercolors. That’s always stayed with me. It’s a high-tech field and there is so much in the form of AI and computer software. But I find that when I work with an owner who takes the time to look at my hand painting of my vision of their project, it connects with them more than any other medium.”

ABOVE Detail at entry vestibule. LEFT View from kitchen

to living room. BELOW Dining room with full height window looking to Raycliff terrace. OPPOSITE View from entry vestibule thru dinnig room to South garden.

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ABOVE The fireplace at the living room bathed in north light from the water

courtyard. RIGHT A dramatic cantilevered roof eave seamlessly flows into the ceiling of this glazed corner office. BELOW Cantilevered lounge suspended over two story glass corner at entry.

He remembers a project in Sonoma where he delivered a portfolio of digital renderings and one hand-painted watercolor to the client. “I dropped by one day and all the computer renderings had been rolled away into a drawer, and the watercolor was displayed on an easel. I could see that that is where they ascribe artistry, and where they value it.” Artistry clearly runs in the family. Ulinskas’ aunt is Holly Hobbie, the celebrated writer, watercolorist, and illustrator who,

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in the 1970s, created the iconic American Greetings character by the same name— a wistful girl often in a floral bonnet and patchwork apron. “I visited my aunt’s studio once and she showed me two brushes and four tubes of paint, and those were the tools that built an empire,” Ulinskas said. “I was pretty blown away that someone could take such small tools and their imagination and create this entire world.”

In his own right, Ulinskas and his team have created a world of their own—one defined by clean lines, bold aesthetics, and a willingness to embrace a variety of styles. “Other clients come to us for our eclectic nature,” he said. “We don’t just do modern homes—we’ve done Edwardian and Victorian restorations, Mediterranean, and are working now on a large Regency estate in LA.”

But regardless of architectural style, Ulinskas believes the most essential element of any successful project is authenticity. “It shouldn’t be about having a house to impress people,” he said. “It should be more about a story being told, a statement being made, where a client has something they want to say, and they want to work with someone with whom they can collaborate to write that story.” CH

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Out & About | ORANGE COUNTY PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN CHATILLON 2

SOUND AND SHADES Sound and Shades Partnered with Women in Luxury Design (W.I.L.D.) and California Homes Magazine to Celebrate a New Showroom in Costa Mesa Designers, architects and builders gathered together to celebrate the opening of a new showroom for Sound and Shades. Jennifer Convy, Founder of Women in Luxury Design (W.I.L.D.) presented a very informative panel consisting of Douglas Moore, COO, Sound and Shades, designer Jeanne Chung of Cozy Stylist Chic, and David Weinstein, VP. Residential Sales at Lutron, discussing New Level Technology and Design with Seamless Integration. Over 80 guests sipped wine and champagne while indulging in small bites from Jay’s Catering.

1. Susan McFadden California Homes Magazine, Mike Reeves, Corbin Reeves Construction, and Jennifer Convy CEO of W.I.L.D. (Women in Luxury Design) 2. Jennifer Convy, CEO W.I.L.D. Douglas Moore, COO Sound and Shades, Jeanne K. Chung, Cozy Styish Chic, and David Weinstein, VP Residential Sales Lutron 3. Douglas Moore, Regional Manager, David Junk,

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CEO Sound and Shades, Mark Mendelson, Marketing, and David Weinstein with Lutron 4. Justine Prueter, Laura Tapias, Brain Gamache, and Miguel Sandoval of Scavolini 5. Mark Mendelson 6. Jeanne Mustafa and Jessica Jones

7. Judy Stout of Chic Design, Jeannette Mustafa, Jessica Jones, and Reba Ford-Sans 8. Douglas Moore, Jennfer Convy, Megan O’Reilly, Susan McFadden, Roxie Sarhangi, and Linda McCall 9. Kwane Yeboah, showroom manager, Miguel Sandoval, showroom Manager, Joann Killeen, Mike Moran, and John Savali of Sonance

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