California Homes

THE MAGAZINE OF ARCHITECTURE THE ARTS & DISTINCTIVE DESIGN

LAKE TAHOE

LOS ANGELES

NEWPORT BEACH

SAN FRANCISCO

If you can dream it, we can build it… in any color you desire.

Since 1978, Hydro Systems has crafted bespoke bathing systems, proudly made in our Valencia, California facility. Our mission is to transform baths into life-affirming sanctuaries using the healing power of water, with products defined by innovative design, fine craftsmanship, quality materials, and highly personalized details taken from one’s vision for wellness.

Design: Elaine Morrison Interiors

Denali freestanding bathtub specified in a custom color and polished finish

Create Where

Discover how our Orange County and Coachella Valley Experience

Centers empower, entertain, and inspire you to design your ideal lifestyle with cutting-edge, smart home technology.

Daisy

Daisy Orange County

Baker Street, Suite A

Mesa, CA 92626

92626

HUDSON HOUSE by JULIA WONG

leaders, coming together to create a one-of-kind luxury home experience. Combining restoration of the main structure and brand-new construction of a freestanding luxury guest house, Hudson house will highlight our partner’s products, capabilities, and expertise. The home is in the historic Hancock Park area and is a quintessential 1925 “California” Mediterranean residence. The living room contains rarely found original hand-wrought iron banisters and high-beamed ceilings anchored by a leaded stained-glass window overlooking the private garden. Hudson House will embody the intimacy of a private home with the accessibility of an atelier. Luxury living where old-world craftsmanship & modern technology meet Hollywood glamour.

Hudson House is a collaboration of design industry leaders, coming together to create a one-of-kind luxury home experience. Combining restoration of the main structure and brand-new construction of a freestanding luxury guest house, Hudson house will highlight our partner’s products, capabilities, and expertise. The home is in the historic Hancock Park area and is a quintessential 1925 “California” Mediterranean residence. The living room contains rarely found original hand-wrought iron banisters and high-beamed ceilings anchored by a leaded stained-glass window overlooking the private garden. Hudson House will embody the intimacy of a private home with the accessibility of an atelier. Luxury living where old-world craftsmanship & modern technology meet Hollywood glamour.

“With the help of my friends Marc Appleton, Architect, Appleton Partners, LLC, Scott Shrader, Landscape Architect, Shrader Design, Christopher Thompson, Lighting Engineer, Studio Lux and Steve Ferqueron, Builder, Reside Custom Homes I am creating my dream home and I’m excited to share it with our industry.”

- Julia Wong, Interior Designer, Julia Wong Designs

Julia Wong, Interior Designer, Julia Wong Designs

THANK YOU TO OUR WESTEDGE PARTNERS

Visit us at WestEdge Design Fair: Booth No. 536 Click QR code to join our mailing list.

www.juliawongdesigns.com

WE BUILD TRAILS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY THAT SERVE AS EFFECTIVE FIREBREAKS & GIVE ACCESS TO PREVIOUSLY IMPASSIBLE LAND.

Exploring, enjoying and fully connecting with nature is one of Randy’s passions. He weaves that passion into his trail builds. As a business, Trailscape truly believes the ability to fully enjoy one’s property is essential to every home. Trails enable an instant connection to the land thus allowing homeowners to access otherwise inaccessible areas. In many ways, trails are becoming as important as driveways providing access to multiple points of interest.

In addition, trails offer a higher level of safety, security and value. “Our trails are constructed in a way that they are wide enough with clearance on either side of excess brush that they naturally create effective fire breaks which help protect our clients, their families and their properties.”

Randy Martin has a team of hardworking and creative professionals who design, build and maintain trails for private landowners and public entities. He often likes to share that, “while it may appear that trail construction is simple “landscaping,” this is not the case. Trail building is both art and science. The art part is augmenting the natural beauty and giving the user a sense of flow. While building a trail is not “rocket” science, it is the science of solving multiple terrain challenges and making the trail last for decades for generations of families.“

Left: Founder, Randy Martin. Top, right: Beautiful beginnings to a fresh trail. Above: This wildfire burned right up the trail and stopped in its tracks. On left side, you can see burnt vegetation and charred land. All photography courtesy of Trailscape.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

ABOVE Designer Una Malan creates the perfect work-life balance in this Hollywood Hills home. A Jospeh Pagano light fixture illuminates the dining room. See story beginning on page 82. Photograph by Joe Schmelzer.

RIGHT Designer Sarahliz Lawson’s challenge was to create a modern home with traditional feeling in this renovated Tahoe home. An indoor-outdoor feel was achieved by adding windows throughout the home, including replacing a small French door in the dining room with an entire wall of windows. See story beginning on page 74. Photograph by R. Brad Knipstein.

BAYSIDE BEAUTY

Mark Weaver And His Associate, Darrell Wilson, Of Mark Weaver & Associates In Los Angeles, Collaborated Closely With The Owners On This Bayfront Home Complete Renovation

Text by Kavita Daswani

Photography by Manolo Langis

TIMELESS TAHOE

Sarahliz Lawson Design Eschews Typical Cabin Motifs In This Modern Mountain Home

Text by Sophia Markoulakis

Photography by R. Brad Knipstein

UNA CASA PRIVADA

Una Malan Creates The Perfect Work-Life Balance In The Hollywood Hills

Text by Nora Burba Trulsson

Photography by Joe Schmelzer

PARVIZ PARGARI INTERIOR DESIGN

A Los Angeles Designer Gives

A Bel Air Home A New Vision

Text by Kavita Daswani

Photography by Mary E. Nichols

STATE OF GRACE

Interior Designer Marea Clark Brings

A Fresh Southern Sensibility

To A Historic San Francisco Home

Text by Deborah Kirk

Photography by Stephanie Russo

Styling by Lucy Bamman

WE ARE AGAIN…at the end of another year, and California Homes Magazine eagerly looks forward to 2025. The November/December 2024 issue will be our last regular issue for 2024, followed in a few weeks by the Essential Guide to Kitchens. I recently attended an ASID OC awards dinner at the Cultural Center at Orange County’s Crystal Cove. It was a wonderful evening in a beautiful setting, as seen in our Out & About section. Our publisher, Heidi Gerpheide, recently participated in the San Francisco Fall Show held at Fort Mason, and she commented on the buzz and the outstanding exhibitor sales. The Show Chair, Suzanne Tucker, is a force in the design world and consistently raises the bar. The design industry in California is alive and well.

Our feature stories in this issue cover a variety of areas in California, including a renovated home in Tahoe by designer Sarahliz Lawson, a Presidio Heights home designed by Marea Clark then down to a Los Angeles designed by Una Malan, another home in Los Angeles redesigned by Parviz Pargari, and a beautiful Newport Beach waterfront home designed by Mark Weaver & Associates.

Our bath feature will help you relax over the holidays and inspire you to create your sanctuary. This time of year, we are family-focused and share a story of the multi-generational business Gracie Wallcoverings. The next-generation motherdaughter team at Amy Weaver Design has launched a furniture collection with philanthropic roots.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to our writers, photographers, and the dedicated staff in our office. Their unwavering efforts and commitment have been instrumental in making California Homes the premier regional magazine of California. Each has played a significant role in bringing our vision to life.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and best wishes for a happy new year.

Susan McFadden Editor in Chief

Contributors

JOE SCHMELZER

Joe Schmelzer is an editorial and commercial photographer specializing in hotel, food, environmental, and celebrity portraits. Recognized for the natural window-light-quality of his images, and a knack for making even the prickliest subjects feel at ease. Joe is a familiar presence in the travel, shelter and entertainment markets. His work has appeared in every major interiors-centric magazine, website and blog. See his photography beginning on page 82.

DEBORAH KIRK

Deborah Kirk has written about the arts, design, and travel for Travel and Leisure, Interview, Harper’s Bazaar, and many other publications. She is the editorial director of Diablo Publications, which publishes Diablo magazine, Napa Sonoma magazine, and a wide range of custom products. See her story beginning on page 96.

R. BRAD KNIPSTEIN

One of the greatest pleasures in my life is producing images for my clients. The collaborative process with all working towards creating something sublime, new, timeless and above all else beautiful is just that, beautiful. I am constantly amazed by what we come up with on set, as well as how wonderful it is to work with a great team. I am always looking forward to the next collaboration and chance to create unforgettable images as well as memories. See his photography beginning on page 74.

ANH-MINH LE

Anh-Minh Le’s byline has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, C Magazine, Luxe Interiors + Design and Diablo, among other publications. She also served as the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Silicon Valley and co-founded the independent lifestyle magazine Anthology See her story beginning on page 60.

Florim is an Italian B Corp certified company. We produce designer porcelain stoneware with the commitment to respecting everyone’s future.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

PUBLISHER Heidi Gerpheide

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Susan McFadden

ART DIRECTOR Megan Keough

EDITOR-AT-LARGE Kendra Boutell

ART EDITOR Kathy Bryant

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kavita Daswani

Deborah Kirk

Anh-Minh Le

Sophia Markoulakis

Nora Burba Trulsson

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Paul Dyer

R. Brad Knipstein

Manolo Langis

Mary E. Nichols

Stephanie Russo

Joe Schmelzer

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Linda McCall ORANGE COUNTY

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Richard Rothenberg

LOS ANGELES

MEDIA CONSULTANT Jo Campbell Fujii

NEWSSTAND CONSULTANT John Ponomarev, Choice Circulation Consulting

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICES

949.640.1484

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

California

Subs@calhomesmagazine.com

Calendar

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

BY KATHY BRYANT

SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART

In Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s Preston Morton Gallery is Accretion: Works by Latin American Women Like the pearl that forms from the accretion over time, the works in this exhibition contain the aggravated experience of the artists — women living and working in the United States but with roots in Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru. However, unlike the pearl, their layers — composed of earth, ceramic tiles, paint, photographs, stories, art history and the artists’ own lives as material — neither are they smooth nor conceal themselves. Weaving a rich tapestry of diverse perspectives, Accretion’s expressions draw attention to the intersected culture, temporalities and histories that constitute the layers of being.

One standout piece is Patricia Iglesias Peso’s Lavinia Mariposa (2024). In this work, Peco draws inspiration from the 1998 novel Reina Amelia by Marosa de Giorgio (Uruguayan 1932-2004).The painting’s title references the novel’s mystical, enigmatic figure, who is given the opportunity to work as a butterfly in a garden. Works by ten other artists are being shown. The exhibit runs through April 13, 2025.

For more information, please visit, sbma.net

THE HUNTINGTON –SAN MARINO

The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens will present the culmination of the national touring exhibition Raqib Shaw: Ballads of East and West from November 16 through March 3, 2025. Raqib Shaw is a London-based artist known for his opulent and fantastical works that blend Eastern and Western influences to create mesmerizing paintings that merge fable, history and autobiography. The exhibition surveys two decades of Shaw’s career and unfolds in two locations in the Huntington Art Gallery. Seven paintings will be on view in the North Passage and two new tapestries will be in the upper register of the grand staircase. Through highly personal imagery, Shaw combines iconography from both East and West, drawing on a wide range of sources. The exhibit’s cornerstone work, The Retrospective (2002-2022), includes 60 miniature versions of Shaw’s paintings and sculpture in a reworking of Giovanni Paolo Panini’s Picture Gallery with Views of Modern Rome (1757.)

For more information, please visit huntington.org

BERKELEY ART MUSEUM AND PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE

The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) presents Making Their Mark: Works from the Shah Garg Collection, a widely acclaimed exhibition of one of the leading private collections of works by women artists. More than seventy artists are represented in the exhibition, which juxtaposes contemporary practices with pathbreaking historical works to illuminate transgenerational affinities, influences, and methodologies among artists from the postwar era to the present.

The exhibition will highlight women artists with deep ties to the Bay Area such as Mary Corse, Trude Guermonprez, Mary Hellman, Mary Lovelace O’Neal, Elizabeth Murray and Kay Sekimachi, as well as other internationally distinguished artists including Lynda Benglis, Joan Mitchell, Maria Lassnig, and many others. The exhibit will be on view through April 20,2025.

For more information, please visit bampfa.org

Patricia Iglesias Peco Lavinia Mariposa, 2024 Oil on panel 60 x 84 inches

RIGHT

Raqib Shaw Ode to the Country Without a Post Office, 2019–20 Acrylic liner and enamel on birchwood

Installation view, artworks left to right: Miriam Schapiro, Double Rose, 1978; Merikokeb Berhanu, Untitled LXXIII, 2021; Sonia Gomes, Sol Maior, 2023; Sonia Gomes, Artérias (série tela- corpo), 2022; Francoise Grossen, Contact III, 1977; Elizabeth Murray, Joanne in the Canyon, 1990-91.

Vimare cabinet and

Vimare rug, Shell chairs, Organika dining table and Tidelli planters.

HEATHER JAMES FINE ART –PALM DESERT

Many cite Hans Hofmann’s impact as a teacher, yet fewer acknowledge him as one of the great painters of the American post-war period. Heather James Gallery shows exemplary works of Hofmann to demonstrate the remarkable breadth of this legacy. Born in 1880, Hofmann spent the crucial decade between 1904 and 1914 in Paris and was there for the Cezanne retrospective in 1906. He arrived in New York in 1932 and took a somewhat circuitous path toward the signature style for which he is now best remembered, the vibrant rectangles of pure, floating color commonly known as slabs. Perhaps no artist bridged the gap between European Modernism and American Abstract Expressionism like Hans Hofmann did. The works will be on view through February 28, 2025.

HOSFELT GALLERY –SAN FRANCISCO

The Heather James Fine Art gallery is located at 45188 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260. For more information, please visit heatherjames.com

LISSON GALLERY –LOS ANGELES

The Lisson Gallery presents the first solo exhibition of works by Hiroshi Sugimoto in Los Angeles in a decade. The work consists of 288 unique gelatin prints arranged in order of the Heart Sutra. The Heart Sutra is a fundamental scripture of East Asian Buddhism, and the most frequently quoted and recited text.

Sugimoto has played with traditional darkroom techniques to recreate the text in kanji, using a simple composition of fixer, brush, light exposure and washing.

Surrounding the Heart Sutra work will be six of Sugimoto’s Sea of Buddha photographs, each capturing a grouping a unique buddha statues from a revered ancient shrine in Kyoto. The works will be on view from November 15 through January 2025.

Lisson Gallery is located at 1037 N. Sycamore Avenue, Los Angeles. For more information, please visit lissongallery.com

In his first solo exhibition at Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco-based Mansur Nurullah presents intricately stitched wall-hanging sculptures that build on the legacies of African-American quilt makers to trace personal and community histories. Made from discarded clothing, upholstery, bits of fur, disassembled shoes and handbags, and other detritus, he incorporates the pasts of those materials and the people who used them, to depict personal or social narratives in exuberant, three-dimensional artworks that exist beyond the boundaries of painting, sculpture or textile.

Living and working in San Francisco, Nurullah moves through the city on foot or bicycle and thinks of plotting one’s course in daily life as a metaphor for finding one’s place in the world. He sees each of his artworks as charting a journey. Nurallah’s works will remain on view through December 23, 2024.

The Hosfelt Gallery is located at 260 Utah Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. For more information, please visit hosfeltgallery.com

Mansur Nurullah Imagined Migration Route of My Maternal Great Grandparents to Chicago, 2019 Found textiles, thread, grommets 86 x 108 inches

Hiroshi Sugimoto Sea of Buddha 023, 1995 Gelatin silver print 47 x 58 3/4 inches

Hans Hofmann The Climb Oil on panel 84 x 47 1/2 inches

TAKING MAJOR CALIFORNIA PROJECTS BY STORM

An award-winning architectural firm based in Beverly Hills, Erik Peterson AIA and his 30-member team are making a significant impact on major California projects, including The Maybourne, Casa Del Mar, The Bel-Air Bay Club, and more.

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.

The renowned firm excels in Residential, Hospitality, and Golf + Clubhouse design, crafting stunning spaces that are both impressively grand and wonderfully human.

“We’re dedicated to bringing our clients’ dream homes to life, and there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the joy on their faces when we do.”

FILOLI HISTORIC HOUSE & GARDEN WOODSIDE

Filoli Historic House & Garden announces the return of its annual Holidays at Filoli celebration, running from November 16 through January 12, 2025. This year the estate will dazzle guests with gorgeous holiday displays, activities and experiences for the whole family.

Highlights include: Dazzling Garden Lights with the gardens transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland; Holiday Teas with a traditional holiday tea service; Ballroom Signature Activities with champagne and live piano music; Festive Hands-On Experiences or a Gilded Guided Tour to explore the magic of Filoli.

Filoli is situated on the ancestral lands of the Ramaytush Ohlone. The estate has 654 acres of beauty nestled along the slopes of California’s coastal range. Built originally as a private residence in 1917, it was opened to the public in 1977.

For more information, please visit filoli.org

FOG DESIGN + ART–SAN FRANCISCO

Established in 2014 to create an international platform to champion art and design in the Bay Area, FOG Design + Art welcomes an impressive 59 exhibitors, including 13 galleries presented in the second edition of FOG FOCUS for 2025. The fair will take place from January 23-26 at Fort Mason for Arts and Culture. Visitors to this year’s fair will be greeted by FOG MRKT, a curated installation showcasing artisanal products and crafts with an emphasis on the Bay Area. MRKT will feature hand-crafted one-of-a-kind items, including a selection designed specifically for FOG. This year’s fair also sees the return of FOG FOCUS, a dedicated pavilion designed to showcase art by young and underrepresented artists. There will also be FOG Talks, a programming series that explores ideas and issues relevant to the fields of art, design, technology and our contemporary world.

For more information, please visit fogfalr.com

NEWPORT BEACH CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE

The annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade of Lights 2024 features elaborate Christmas light displays of Bayfront estates with their Ring of Lights competition. The event is beautiful to behold and is one of the largest decorated boat parades in the country. Hundreds of decorated ships of all sizes compete for top awards in over a half dozen categories. This boat parade began over 100 years ago with about a dozen boats. This parade has hundreds of boats and they include unique and extravagant displays. Along with holiday lights, special effects and themes, ships of all sizes enter the Parade from multimillion dollar yachts to kayaks and canoes. The parade takes place from Wednesday December 18 to Sunday December 22, 2024.

For more information, please visit christmasboatparade.com

OLIVIA BARRY/ BY HAND

Tidelli

Grey Gardens Plant Studio

Inspired by her daughter, Sofia; Jamela has thoughtfully designed the Sofia Collection to prioritize safety and sustainability. This charming line of baby essentials reflects her commitment to creating high-quality, eco-friendly products.

At Melaaura, we are more than just a furniture brand. We are creators of exquisite pieces that embody luxury, elegance, and sustainability.

Founded by Jamela M. Alawneh, Melaaura is dedicated to transforming spaces into havens of beauty and comfort.

Our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, eco-friendly practices, and personalized design ensures reflection

Jamela Alawneh

sculpture metal-work furniture follies

AR TI SANA L M AD E I N C AL I FO R NIA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY M MA NOLO LA NGIS

ADG IS ONE OF THE BEST kept secrets in the country. And it seems that the best-of-the-best keep ADG on speed dial. Projects range from traditional to modern with a pen stroke and ink wash by founder Gerald Olesker and his team. From curbside to pool side, the architectural approach is integrating the metal works as if they are part of the architectural experience with design and fabrication essential to the experience. Thi s Brandon Architects’ home actively engaged the ADG team with the interior designer to sculpt and create a seamless vibe. Over 2,000projects worldwide this is the # #adg Adv anta ge that the best-of-the-best collaborate with intention.

Books

REVIEWED BY KATHY BRYANT

Contemporary Living by McClean Design

Text by Paul McClean and Michael Webb

Foreword by James Magni

Architect Paul McClean’s second book explores fifteen ultramodern residences completed over the past five years. As McClean writes, “What is the essence of a contemporary California home? For us, it’s about removing the visual barriers that have traditionally defined the envelope of a home by using glazed walls and the continuation of materials from the interior to the exterior. Clean lines of structure, clad in a simple palette of natural finishes, are at the heart of the design intent while enhancing our connection to the outdoors through natural light and ventilation, elements essential to human health and happiness.”

The houses in his monograph illustrate his design philosophy perfectly. The residences in the book range from a remodeled classical mansion in San Francisco, to waterfront houses and serene oases that seem to float above the flats of Los Angeles, with vistas extending from mountains to the ocean.

Since its founding in 2000, McClean Design’s focus has been on creating home sanctuaries that open to the best views. There’s a sense of formality and spareness in the architecture, a reduction to essentials, serving not as a constraint, but as a foil to the landscape and the character of the interior spaces. The book includes floor plans and explanatory essays and notes by the architect on the themes of their works. CH

Contemporary Living by McClean Design

Text by Paul McClean and Michael Webb

Foreword by James Magni

304 pages

Hardcover, 10 x 12 inches

$75 US

ISBN: 978-0-8478-3848-6

Rizzoli New York

ABOVE The house faces the Hollywood sign and snowcapped mountains. Every room in the house is designed to open up directly to the garden and courtyard spaces.

RIGHT Walls of glazing completely pocket away to connect the kitchen and dining spaces to the exterior and fill the house with daylight.

BELOW The house appears to hover over the city. The pool is located in such a way that you focus on the view to the ocean beyond and not on the steep canyon and houses below.

At Home in France: Inspiration and Style in Town and Country

Text by Timothy Corrigan, with Michael Boodro

It is almost everyone’s fantasy to have an apartment in Paris or maybe a place in the country. If you are A-List Interior Designer Timothy Corrigan you can have both. And as a reader of this book, you can experience both residences albeit second hand. This personal journey through the purchase and design of both properties by Corrigan is cleverly insightful and delightful.

“I wanted to write this book as a love letter to my adopted country of France, both the architectural and cultural richness of Paris, and, equally importantly, the spectacular countryside outside of the big cities that the casual visitor to France too often bypasses,” writes Corrigan.

In the first section of the book, Corrigan invites readers into his Paris apartment, walking them through the history of the building and his design plans, from the entryway through the salons, dining room and bedrooms. In the second part, he shares his enduring love for the French country homes. Traveling through his newly bought chateau room by room, he tells the story of its purchase, restoration and decoration. What enriches the book are his insights and advice on topics from antiquing in Paris, hanging art in the French style, hosting parties with a particular French flavor and exploring the French countryside.

LEFT The painting over the console is by Angelica Kauffman, one of the few women artists of the eighteenth century to have a successful career. The pillows are made from Corrigan’s fabrics for both Schumacher and Perennials.

BELOW The salon in one of his previous apartments in Paris in the ninth arrondissement.

BOTTOM Dinner under the trees is lit with candles and a tree-branch chandelier by Fisher-Weisman. Lanterns line the gravel path and hurricane lamps ensure the candles flicker but remain lit throughout dinner.

Of particular interest in the book are things that inspired him on his French journey. There are French tastemakers like Madame de Pompadour, Charles de Beistegui and Hubert de Givenchy. In turn, he shows how the reader can make their own rooms more French through special touches of color and whimsy, art objects, furniture, to name a few.

Once in a magazine his style was described as “European elegance infused with California casual,” and he agrees that that summarizes his work. The best of both worlds. Lucky for him and lucky for the reader of this book. CH

At Home in France: inspiration and Style in Town and Country

Text by Timothy Corrigan, with Michael Boodro

272 pages

Hardcover, 9 x 12 inches

$65 US

ISBN: 978-0-8478-2926-2

Rizzoli New York

Notebook

VISIONARY | PRODUCT | GIFT GUIDE | BATH DESIGN

East Meets West

The Gracie Family Legacy

BY KENDRA BOUTELL

RIZZOLI RECENTLY PUBLISHED The Art of Gracie: Handpainted Wallpapers, Timeless Rooms. Gracie’s pictural wallcoverings evoke interior gardens inspired by 18th-century Chinese designs and Japanese folding screens. Their textures feature Papier Chinois, Silks, and Metallics. As exquisite as their offerings are, the company’s story is equally impressive. The founder, the Irish-born James Gracie, was an artisan specializing in carving, gilding, and furniture-making. James opened a small New York City shop in 1898. His entrepreneurial son, Charles R. Gracie, sold custom lighting fixtures to elite families like the Astors, Vanderbilts, and Rockefellers.

All in the family: Mike Gracie, Jennifer Gracie, and Zach Shea. Photo: David Engelhart

LEFT New World, a panoramic landscape wallpaper, envelopes an intimate Texas sitting room. Designer Marie Flanigan chose a saturated colorway in blues and greens for the tropical design, which features palm trees and lush foliage. Photo: Julie Soefer

BELOW LEFT Jeremy D. Clark Studio chose Olive Silhouette for a Birmingham, AL, Showhouse room. While based on a historic Chinese pattern, the flowering flora painted in ivory silhouette on a dark olive green background feels fresh and modern. Photo: Read McKendree

The younger Gracie expanded by importing Chinese and Japanese antiques. In the 1920s, Charles saw handpainted wallpaper panels from Beijing, and the company’s focus shifted. The fashion for Chinoiserie-style wallpapers started in the early 18th century when European aristocrats brought them along the sea trade routes, where they eventually made their way to the New World. Gracie was the first company to import the panels to America since the 1700s. Charles developed a relationship with the Chinese studio, where a single panel took 70 to 100 hours to complete, with several artists contributing. Designs might include flowers, trees, birds, and accessories, with a specific artist for each motif. Gracie’s clientele, including early 20th-century designers Elsie de Wolf and McMillen, incorporated the wallcoverings into their interiors.

Over one hundred twenty-five years after its founding, James’ great-great-granddaughter Jennifer Gracie, great-great-grandson Mike Gracie, and great-great-great-grandson Zach Shea currently lead Gracie. In keeping with family tradition, they work with the same Chinese studio they have for the last 50 years. Gracie’s papers grace the homes of the wealthy and famous, making them the go-to of top designers. For the Obama White House, Los Angeles-based interior designer Michael S. Smith selected a pieced and lightly antiqued neutral-toned Papier Chinois for an elegant and serene primary bedroom. CH 8629 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, 323.266.9765, graciestudio.com

ABOVE Laura Lee Clark Clark selected Gracie’s Kano Garden wallcovering for the Kips Bay Dallas Showcase 2023 living room. The paper, inspired by an 18th-century Japanese screen, features flowering cherry trees, golden clouds, and colorful birds. Photo: Stephen Karlisch

RIGHT Ming Garden is a Chinese scene based on antique wallpaper that Elsie de Wolfe installed in Condé Nast’s apartment. Gracie adapted the design for Alex Papachristidis in the 2016 Kips Bay Decorator Show House, scaling it up and using a grisaille colorway.

Photo: Tria Giovan

ABOVE An artist from the current New York studio restores an antique wallpaper that William Haines purchased for Betsy Bloomingdale’s home in Holmby Hills. Photo: Gracie

EMPOWERING ARTISTRY A

New Collection of Beaded Furniture

Designed by Amy Weaver

SAN FRANCISCO-BASED INTERIOR design firm Amy Weaver Design has long been recognized for designing comfortable and stylish homes focused on family. She has now become a family business with her daughter Samantha. Discovering a pair of chairs in a Santa Barbara antique store and a fascination with beaded furniture led to an introduction to the Nigerian Yoruba tribe from a documentary filmmaker in Bristol, England, who has been promoting the artistic endeavors of the tribe for several years. Amy has designed over twenty pieces and worked with the artisans to bring them to life. In addition to a beautiful product, the collaboration is helping to empower the local artisans economically. After selling out of all the pieces she had designed for

her celebrated San Francisco Showcase room and receiving new orders from several a-list designers, it became clear that the unique beaded pieces were in demand, and she launched the furniture line Oniru. To read more about the story behind the brand visit oniru.net and amyweaverdesign.com. CH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER STARK

PERFECT SLUMBER

Linen Expert Liz Barbatelli of E. Braun Beverly Hills on How to Make the Perfect Bed

CH What is the secret to creating the perfect bed?

LB Lifestyle considerations are essential when selecting the right bedding. I always start with a conversation to learn about my client’s wants and needs. How do you sleep? Do you prefer a duvet or top sheet? Once I understand the more intimate comfort preferences, this illuminates the selection of fabrics and design approach. One size never fits all. That’s the secret to a well-made bed.

CH Do you have a formula?

LB Investing in premium-quality bed linens creates a sanctuary where form meets function and lasts for years to come. There are different ways to dress a bed, and all are correct. There is no one formula.

CH What is the starting point?

LB It is important to begin with the basics when dressing your bed: a high-quality mattress pad, 100% cotton sheeting, high-quality down pillows, and an inviting duvet comforter.

I like a 600-thread count Supima cotton sateen or percale for the sheeting, shams, and duvet cover. Comfortable fluffy pillows and a sumptuous duvet comforter are essential as well.

CH Pressed or not?

LB Pressing your bed linens is a luxury that speaks to one’s desired expression of style and comfort like no other.

CH Most asked questions from clients?

LB The most common questions are regarding the proper way to make a bed and how to keep the fitted sheet smooth, and questions revolve around care and ease of maintenance.

CH Do you have any quick tips?

LB For cleaning at home after washing your bedding, use a detergent without additives, like The Laundry’s Finest Laundry Powder. Reshape and put them in the dryer on the “sheet” cycle. When your bedding is dry, remove it from the dryer immediately once the cycle is over. For total perfection, you may need ironing.

Relax and take the time not to crease the item as you iron across the sheet. When you’ve finished ironing, be sure to let the bed sheet cool before folding or making the bed.

E. Braun & Co | 457 North Robertson Boulevard, West Hollywood 90048 310.273.4320, ebraunbeverlyhills.com

COCKTAIL HOUR

The Consummate Treasure Hunter Maja Lithander Smith

THE OWNER OF THE JEWEL BOX shop, Found by Maja on Sacramento Street in San Francisco, travels the world in search of one-of-a-kind products and has developed relationships with unique artisans who share her passion for detail and elegance. Every piece has a story of discovery. Her gift ideas perfectly set the stage for chic holiday cocktail parties. CH 3681 A Sacramento Street, San Francisco 94118, foundbymaja.com

1. Snake Double Old-Fashion Glasses by Artel

2. Set Of Four Murano Champagne Coupes by Nason Moretti

3. Fenix Bottle Opener

4. Horse Decanter in British Racing Green by Artel

5. Italian Leather Polo Tray by Giobagnara

SANCTUARY FOR THE SENSES

Bath Design that Inspires and Creates an Environment to Reset, Relax, and Put a Spring in Your Step

DESIGNER HOLLY A KOPMAN INTERIOR DESIGN

STONE IRG STONE

CONTRACTOR JOHN LENGYEL

TILE ANN SACKS LIASON BY KELLY WEARSTLER

PLUMBING DORNBRACHT

PHOTOGRAPHY R. BRAD KNIPSTEIN

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE SAWYERS DESIGN

CONTRACTOR CURRENT CONSTRUCTION

PLUMBING GRAFF PHASE WIDESPREAD LAVATORY FAUCET IN WHITE

STONE CONCRETE COLLABORATIVE, ALABASTER POMELO

TILE GLOBAL TILE

SCONCES LIGHTOLOGY

PHOTOGRAPHY R. BRAD KNIPSTEIN

INTERIOR DESIGN HEATHER HILLIARD DESIGN

BATHTUB MTI

SCONCES VISUAL COMFORT

PLUMBING WATER STREET BRASS AND THEORY HARDWARE

PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID DUNCAN LIVINGSTON

INTERIOR DESIGN MAREA CLARK INTERIORS

MIRROR MADE GOODS

SCONCES COLLEEN & COMPANY

PLUMBING WATERWORKS

SKIRT FERMOIE

PHOTOGRAPHY STEPHANIE RUSSO

STYLING LUCY BAMMAN

INTERIOR DESIGN MARTYN LAWRENCE BULLARD

PLUMBING FANTINI

BATHTUB WATERWORKS

STATUARIO MARBLE STONELAND LOS ANGELES

PHOTOGRAPHY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

INTERIOR ARCHITECT DLC ID

PLUMBING WATERWORKS

BATHTUB DORNBRACHT

SCONCES APPARATUS

SURFACES BIANCA CARRERA STONE TILE AND SLAB CARMEL STONE IMPORTS

BUILDER GLENN GOODMAN GGD INC

PLUMBER CITY FRONT PLUMBING

PHOTOGRAPHY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

ARCHITECTURE WILLIAM HEFNER

INTERIOR DESIGN WILLIAM HEFNER AND KAZUKO HOSHINO

PLUMBING WATERWORKS

WALLS AND FLOOR FLOORS ARE INDIANA BUFF LIMESTONE, AND WALLS ARE SEA PEARL QUARTZITE

PHOTOGRAPHY LAURA HULL

INTERIOR DESIGN MARTYN LAWRENCE BULLARD

PLUMBING WATERWORKS

BATHTUB CATCHPOLE & RYE

PAINT BENJAMIN MOORE MOROCCAN ROSE AND DECORATORS WHITE

FLOORING DUCHATEAU

PHOTOGRAPHY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

ARCHITECT KLIGERMAN ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

INTERIOR DESIGN KLIGERMAN ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

CONTRACTOR WILLIAM PASTER

STONE T & C SURFACES AND ARTISTIC TILE

TUB AKDY

GLASS ROBERN

LIGHTING CATELLANI & SMITH

PLUMBING RESTORATION HARDWARE

PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD POWERS

ARCHITECT BUTLER ARMSDEN ARCHITECTS

INTERIOR DESIGN NAVARRA DESIGN

CONTRACTOR FONTANA CONSTRUCTION

PHOTOGRAPHY ADAM POTTS

DESIGNER/DEALER CHIC DESIGN GROUP

BRAND MODULNOVA

SINK SOLID GREY MARBLE

PAINT BENJAMIN MOORE MOROCCAN

ROSE AND DECORATORS WHITE

VANITY DRAWER CABINET GLASS

GRIGIO SATIN

INTEGRATED INTERIOR DOOR

BARAUSSE SECRET DOOR

ARCHITECT BROWNHOUSE DESIGN

INTERIOR DESIGN

BROWNHOUSE DESIGN

CONTRACTOR MJK HOMES

PLUMBING DORNBRACHT

STONE HOMEY ONYX CARMEL STONE IMPORTS

TILE HOMED CALCUTTA PRO CARMEL STONE IMPORTS

LIGHT FIXTURE VISUAL COMFORT

PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL DYER

INTERIOR DESIGN OLIVER M. FURTH DESIGN & DECORATION

RUG VINTAGE MOROCCAN

POUF TATO BON BON BY LIGNE ROSET

TOWEL RACK CUSTOM BY OLVER M. FURTH STUDIO

TABLE CHARLAN HAYMAN & HERRERO

PHOTOGRAPHY ROGER DAVIES

ARCHITECTURE MARMOL RADZINER

INTERIOR DESIGN MARMOL RADZINER

SINK KOHLER

SINK FAUCET HANSGROHE

BATHUB BLU BATHWORKS AND HANSGROHE PLUMBING

SHOWER HANSGROHE MASTER

SHOWER SET

TILE SILVER TRAVERTINE

ACCESSORIES WATERWORKS

PHOTOGRAPHY ALEX ZAROUR

INTERIOR DESIGN MAREA CLARK INTERIORS

MIRROR GIO PONTI

SCONCES URBAN ELECTRIC

WALLPAPER MAISON C

VANITY HARDWARE BEATA HEUMAN

PHOTOGRAPHY STEPHANIE RUSSO

STYLING LUCY BAMMAN

INTERIOR DESIGN JAQUI SEERMAN DESIGN BATHTUB JP BATH FROM COCOON SHOWER TRISTONE STONE, FABRICATION MARBLE BY LOPEZ, AND GLASS SHOWER BY HOLLYWOOD GLASS PLUMBING SPECIALTY HARDWARE WALLS AND FLOOR WIMBORN WHITE BY FARROW & BALL AND WIDE PLANK FLOORS IN WHITE OAK BY RUMO GROUP CONSTRUCTION

VANITY STONE IN PINK LADY BY TRISTONE, FABRICATION MARBLE BY LOPEZ, VANITY IS DANZO, AND HARDWARE IS FROM LIZ’S ANTIQUES PHOTOGRAPHY MADELINE TOLLE

A NEXT-LEVEL COLLABORATION

From Its New Rooftop Deck To Excavated Ground Floor, A Residence Is Transformed, Top To Bottom

BY ANH-MINH LE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL DYER

ARCHITECT GEDDES ULINSKAS and builder Greg Cook’s clients were eager to take their home to another level — literally. In addition to bay views, the multistory residence in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood already boasted covetable outdoor areas like a terrace in the front and a garden in the back. Still, when the husband and wife acquired the property, they immediately requested to add a rooftop deck.

As spectacular as the newly introduced space is, the access to it is also remarkable: Ulinskas conceived a flight of stairs, capped by a retractable skylight. “You’re marching up the stairs basically into the sky,” he says. “Instead of dark and depressing, the stairs are shimmering and bathed in light.” Glass panels, wood handrails, and steel posts and connectors inject a contemporary note — with the sculptural curves of the latter evoking the home’s existing arches and coved profiles. Indeed, as with many undertakings by his firm — which has offices in San Francisco and Beverly Hills — Ulinskas “walked the line between traditional and modern,” he says. “The way the transitions are handled, the way the sensibility evolves, that’s what we specialize in — doing this very sensitive, finely tuned magic act.” In this case, he joined forces with Marin-based Cook Construction to transform the 1958 abode in a manner that harmonizes with its neoclassical-style architecture.

ABOVE Architect Geddes Ulinskas conceived a wood, glass, and steel staircase — with a handrail fabricated by Blank and Cables — that leads to a rooftop deck accessed through a retractable skylight.

BELOW The rooftop deck, which offers views of the San Francisco Bay, is among the new features achieved by Geddes Ulinskas Architects and Cook Construction.

TOP LEFT The living room at the front of the house is adjoined by an expansive terrace, which is situated above the garage.

OPPOSITE The expanded kitchen includes Vadara Calacatta Bianco quartz countertops and cabinetry in fumed white oak by JCM Cabinets.

LEFT The wood flooring throughout the home is Tesoro Hickory Porter, while the wall behind the fireplace is lined in Tratto, a textured stone from Lithos Design.

While the third floor holds bedrooms, the second is considered the main level, with the kitchen/family room and garden at one end and the living room and terrace at the other; intervening are the dining area, bar, stairs and new elevator. Now, with the removal of walls and columns to improve the flow, “you’re greeted by the light and warmth and connection to the outdoors,” Ulinskas observes. The rear of the house was extended, allowing for a larger kitchen where a 10-foot-wide sliding glass door was installed.

Significant changes overhauled the ground floor as well. By excavating the sloped site — a process that, according to Cook, was complicated by the amount of granite encountered while digging out the foundation — the crawl space adjacent to the two-car garage was converted into guest quarters, a laundry room, wine storage and a media room that Ulinskas jokingly refers to as “the family cave.”

For Cook, the biggest success of the topto-bottom renovation is not necessarily evident in beholding its 4,900 square feet. “The design speaks for itself,” he says. “I’m particularly fond of the relationships we were able to maintain throughout the course of the project, with the design team and the homeowners — the collaboration we were able to achieve and still come out the other side as friends.” CH

“I’m particularly fond of the relationships we were able to maintain throughout the course of the project, with the design team and the homeowners — the collaboration we were able to achieve and still come out the other side as friends.”

–GREG COOK

FEATURES CH

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

BAYSIDE

BEAUTY

MARK WEAVER AND HIS ASSOCIATE, DARRELL WILSON, OF MARK WEAVER & ASSOCIATES IN LOS ANGELES, COLLABORATED CLOSELY WITH THE OWNERS ON THIS BAYFRONT HOME COMPLETE RENOVATION

TEXT KAVITA DASWANI | PHOTOGRAPHY MANOLO LANGIS

IN TAKING ON THE FULL RENOVATION

of a Newport Beach home, Mark Weaver and his associate Darrell Wilson had to leverage every aspect of their respective skill sets; Weaver, founder of Mark Weaver & Associates in Los Angeles, is known for his impeccable interiors on projects such as historic estates in Nantucket and a 16th century palazzo in Piacenza, Italy. Wilson, holder of a Master’s degree in architecture from Princeton, is precise down to the millimeter, ensuring that even the tiniest detail - the last thermostat and light switch - has its very specific and intentional place in every room.

The owners of the 4,850 square foot home, originally built in 1980, had a great deal of oversight as well. The husband is an engineer by background, and the founder of a company that builds substantial structures such as dams. His wife was involved in all design decisions, bringing her tasteful eye to this project, as she has done with the family’s other homes in Oregon and Palm Springs.

“Between them, they were very involved in the technical aspects of the redesign, and keeping everything clean and modern,” said Weaver. “We gave the house a completely fresh look.”

The project began with a total gutting of the interiors. Weaver and Wilson collaborated closely with the clients, refining every design decision.

“We wanted to accommodate the client’s desire to create something very special,” said Wilson.

The result is indeed that. The interiors of the threestory home on Lido Island are in the clients’ most favored palette of creams and champagnes.

“She’s very consistent with her color preferences,” said Weaver. “She does not like a lot of color. Everything is in creams, champagnes and some gold. We decided that blue was a color we would also use in this house, because of the location with it being right on the water, and the fact that all the rooms open to the ocean and sky.”

Much of the furniture was designed by Weaver and Wilson, with select pieces incorporated from top-notch designers such as Paul Ferrante, James Magni and A. Rudin. Throughout, the interiors are luxe yet the spaces remain inviting, extending to a television area off the living room that feels “cosier and more intimate, like more of a library den.”

A staircase designed by Wilson is made of brushed stainless steel and brass. Floors in the primary bathroom are in onyx and white marble and feature a striking lily pad design, and there are thoughtful and innovative touches throughout.

Weaver likened the project, which took approximately two years to complete, to “working on a puzzle.”

“There were so many elements that we considered as options,” he said. “it was a matter of putting them together until we got all the right elements, and created something completely unique.” CH

The tranquil living room features fully pocketing steel doors by Euroline. Custom cast glass table by Batho Studios and Hanset Studios. MWA custom parchment sofa tables and MWA custom cabinets flank the fireplace in macassar ebony and mother of pearl. A Rudin sofas in Kravet chenille. Custom large scale area rug by Aga John. Lounge chairs by Cygal in Armani/Rubelli fabric. Sheer drapery in Taffard fabrics.

OPPOSITE A nautically inspired MWA custom rift paneled sitting room with concealed large screen television. Chairs are by Holly Hunt in Great Plains faux crocodile leather.

ABOVE Breakfast area with Charles of Paris pendant fixture. The table is MWA custom starburst sapele pommele top on a J Alexander bronze base. A Rudin chairs in Nancy Corzine fabric. MWA custom cream lacquered server with bronze black painted glass top.

LEFT Whimsical custom pale blue lacquered kitchen cabinets. New Revenna tile backsplash through Concept Studio. Stone and tile work by Zeolla Marble.

BELOW Dining room with MWA custom ribbon sapele dining table. A Rudin dining chairs in Lavinder Fabrics. Antique server in European walnut with exotic wood marquetry from Anne Hauck.

Custom polished stainless steel and satin brass railing. Rubert Kuo entry table.

ABOVE In the sitting area of the primary suite, A Rudin chairs are in Kravet fabric and the MWA custom side table is in quilted sapale and silver leaf. Sheers are by Clarke and Clarke.

RIGHT In the primary bathroom, Cristallo slab walls with satin brass inlay were designed in collaboration with Concept Studio. THG Baccarat Crystal and Matt Gold plumbing fixtures. Artistic Tile waterjet floor tile in onyx and white marble.

OPPOSITE In the primary bedroom: MWA custom bedside tables in exotic Australian walnut with brass inlay. Rock crystal lamps are from Paul Ferrante. MWA custom Ruhlmann-inspired bed in Clarke and Clarke fabric. Silk and wool damask pattern area rug from Christiane Millinger. E Braun linens and Phillip Jeffries sateen wall covering.

TIMELESS

TAHOE

SARAHLIZ LAWSON DESIGN ESCHEWS TYPICAL CABIN MOTIFS IN THIS MODERN MOUNTAIN HOME

TEXT SOPHIA MARKOULAKIS | PHOTOGRAPHY R. BRAD KNIPSTEIN

LOOK ALL YOU WANT but you won’t find a single ski or snowshoe motif in this renovated Tahoe home. “The clients specifically asked for less cabin and more mountain home,” said Sarahliz Lawson of Sarahliz Lawson Design who headed up the home’s interior design and architecture. “The 1978 home, nestled in the small Glenbrook community, had a very ‘70s vibe.” But instead of emphasizing the quintessential ‘wood everywhere’ cabin interior, Lawson’s challenge was to create a modern home with traditional leanings. “In fact, the homeowners were adamant about removing all the wood paneling on all the walls. At first, I was a bit stunned, but as their primary residence, they wanted a family home that just happens to be in the mountains instead of living year-round in a mountain lodge,” she said.

LEFT/OPPOSITE 25-foothigh ceilings maximize views in the main living space. Pendants from Urban Electric are hung from custom brackets and chains from San Francisco’s Dogfork Lamp Arts.

A Room and Board sectional, covered in cognac velvet from Banks Fabric, grounds the family room and plays off the wood ceiling.

The 5,100-square-foot tri-level residence sits adjacent to Lake Tahoe with views of the lake, surrounding forest and meadow. The homeowners purchased the home in 2018 with plans to use it as a vacation getaway but when the pandemic happened, they relocated for the foreseeable future. In 2022, Lawson and her team embarked on a two-year remodel which included taking the home to the studs and stripping the dark finish from all the beams and ceiling wood. With the project completed by July 2024, the family was back on the lakeside golf course enjoying the summer season.

The homeowners have two young boys and wanted their mountain home to have some elements from their former home in Menlo Park, CA. One of the major changes that Lawson made was significantly reconfiguring the ground level to accommodate a rec room. “The garage level was dark and had a lot of awkward storage; they always imagined it as a rec room,” she said. In addition to the new kid-friendly space, Lawson also added a substantial mud room with functional storage.

ABOVE The upstairs family room holds the homeowner’s massive book collection. Custom wraparound shelves painted Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams keep the space cozy.

LEFT The kitchen’s footprint didn’t change but is more cohesive and brighter with the living area’s wall of windows and views beyond.

BELOW Walls of tall cabinetry resembling a sports club locker room hold seasonal rec gear.

With a roofline that runs right into the mountainside, Lawson was also challenged with creating moments within the home’s cavernous framework. She achieved that by utilizing finishes such as wallpaper and paint colors that speak more cottage than cabin. Some of those moments include the art gallery wall in the dining room, the book-filled upstairs family room and library which can be viewed from the lower level and the home’s wallpapered jewel box entry.

An indoor-outdoor feel was achieved by adding windows throughout the home, including replacing a

small French door in the dining room with an entire wall of windows and a glass door that opens onto a newly built back deck. Lawson stressed, “The original home did not take advantage of any of the views.”

Masculine and feminine tension is at play with a preppy clubhouse-like feel contrasted with a more feminine, floral aesthetic, all grounded by warmth originating from the interior wood finishes and forest and mountains beyond.

“It’s a happy place and I think we achieved that perfect balance of modern and timeless,” Lawson said. CH

ABOVE Nuetral tones in the primary bedroom come from Georgian Grid wallpaper by Philip Jeffries and the Caroline Bed by Fourhands’ smoked frame and upholstered headboard.

RIGHT Neolith’s Calacatta Royale tub surround and countertop was used in the primary bath. The Whitman Sconces are by Visual Comfort.

TOP RIGHT Arteriors Home’s Delfino Swivel Chairs create a warm spot in the primary bedroom. Caryn Owen’s abstract hangs above the fireplace.

OPPOSITE Linnea Wallpaper by Sandberg envelops the home’s entry. Poe Metal Table Lamps by Regina Andrews illuminate the space.

The living room in Una Malan and Tom Muyters’ home gets a touch of elegant whimsy with a beaded light fixture from Cameron Design House. The sofa and swivel chair are Malan’s designs, while the sheepskin stool is by Chaaban Designs.

Una Casa Privada

UNA MALAN CREATES THE PERFECT WORK-LIFE BALANCE IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS

TEXT NORA BURBA TRULSSON PHOTOGRAPHY JOE SCHMELZER

IT STARTED INNOCENTLY ENOUGH—one of those afternoons spent daydreaming and scrolling through listings on Zillow. A few years ago, Los Angeles designer and showroom owner Una Malan was doing just that, spending a little time going down the online real estate rabbit hole. “I really was not looking for a new home,” says London-born Malan. She had her hands full with her eponymous showroom, where she features her own furniture and textile designs, as well as some 20 other artisanal lines of furniture, lighting, accessories and art.

One thing led to another, and the self-described lover of traditional architecture was soon meeting a real estate agent for a tour of a three-level, 1930s Spanish-style house in the Hollywood Hills. “It was all supposed to be very casual,” Malan recalls, “but by the time I walked out, I had fallen in

ABOVE Una Malan and Tom Muyters.

LEFT A painting by Halim Flowers is the backdrop for the lower-level game room, which features Una Malan-designed chairs and a Lucas Leibman table.

OPPOSITE A painting by Aude Herlédan commands attention above the living room fireplace. The splittrunk walnut coffee table is by Joseph Pagano.

love and had to make it happen. The house was so welcoming and calming, and it had different spaces that you would want to explore.”

Envisioning the 3,600-square foot house as an extension of her brand, where she could experiment and stage pieces from her showroom in a residential setting—as well as a cozy home for herself and her partner, Tom Muyters, a former soccer player and specialist in architectural plaster finishes—Malan sealed the deal.

But it wasn’t exactly a done deal—the house had only lightly been remodeled over the decades and was in need of a facelift. Malan and Muyters went to work, replacing the flooring and lighting, adding new steel-framed windows, plastering walls and redoing the bathrooms. The kitchen received the biggest overhaul. “Along with the bathrooms, the kitchen, as we first found it, let the house down,” says Malan. “It was rather generic.” The old breakfast banquette was ripped out in favor

chair of her design, adding texture through the organic form of a walnut coffee table by Joseph Pagano and a furry ottoman with bronze legs by Chaaban Designs, both lines she represents through her Los Angeles and San Francisco showrooms. A rope of pearllike lights from Cameron Design adds a finishing touch.

In the lower level, which opens onto the pool and garden, a sculptural game table is encircled by Malan-designed chairs, while the adjacent den features a sofa of her design and a pair of Danish modern-inspired Marcali armchairs. The upper level—reached by a sinuous staircase that still has its original wrought-iron handrail—includes the primary suite, a calming retreat with a balcony that captures views of treetops and rooftops. The bedroom is a study in ivory and gold hues, highlighted by an upholstered bed of Malan’s design,

Malan has dubbed the house “Una Casa Privada,” a play on her name and the home’s Spanish-inspired architecture.

of more storage. New cabinetry, plumbing, appliances and a reconfigured island transformed the kitchen. “We found we really didn’t need that banquette,” Malan says. “We usually sit on stools at the island, and the dining area is right there next to the kitchen.”

Once the construction dust had settled, Malan began furnishing the rooms, using each space as a design laboratory where she could mix and match pieces, experiment, yet create a livable setting. “It’s not like I change everything all the time,” she explains, “but about once a year, things get refreshed.”

Against a backdrop of Muyters’ pale plastered walls and the cool hues of herringbone-patterned oak flooring, Malan anchored the main level’s living room with a curvaceous sofa and swivel

PHOTOGRAPH BY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

LEFT Just off the kitchen, a Joseph Pagano light fixture illuminates the dining area, which opens onto a side patio. The table is Castilleja, while the chairs are an Una Malan design.

OPPOSITE TOP Lareina Holsopple’s painting animates the lower-level den, which opens onto the pool patio. The sofa is a Malan design, and the armchairs are Marcali.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM The kitchen received a major renovation with new cabinetry, appliances, plumbing and countertops. New steel-framed windows are in keeping with the home’s vintage architecture. The Dutch door invites breezes and keeps the couple’s dogs in check.

as well as her “Olive” club chair. Above the bed hangs a framed drawing by her father, an artist, who inspired her creative career. The suite’s bathroom includes a deep soaking tub, placed below a new window, positioned just right for in-tub views. Down the hall, there’s a guest bedroom done in blush tones and a cozy den for TV watching.

Even with the annual “refresh,” the interior has a calm, cohesive look, with accent pieces and art drawing the eye.

Malan has dubbed the house “Una Casa Privada,” a play on her name and the home’s Spanish-inspired architecture. She and Muyters have hosted numerous events and parties there.

“People wind through the house,” says Malan. “Nothing reveals itself all at once, but the floor plan lends itself to exploring. A lot of time, people congregate on the terrace off the living room, where I designed a banquette that’s perfect for lounging.” By appointment, she also opens up the house to clients, eager to see pieces in context and in a residential scale. Post-Covid, Malan points out, clients enjoy this more curated approach to shopping.

However, most days the house is a home, where Malan, Muyters and their four dogs can enjoy a serene retreat.

“The sky seems like it’s always blue,” says Malan, “and we can see the city lights. What more could you ask for?” CH

A blush-hued guest bedroom on the upper level features an Una Malan upholstered bed and Matthew Fairbank nightstands and mirror. Draperies by Designs of the Time add a lush touch to the setting.

ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT Luminous plaster walls and a deep soaking tub by Kallista add a soothing touch to the upstairs primary bathroom. The pendant is by Gabriel Scott. Deep green hues create drama in the powder room, anchored by a marble vanity. The mirror is by Ted Boerner. An upholstered banquette and a fabric shade structure welcome loungers on the terrace off the living room. A Gabriel Scott light fixture illuminates the stairwell, which features the original wrought-iron railing.

Custom mirror and console table. Lamps from Foundry.

OPPOSITE The dome in the dramatic entryway is part of the house’s original construction. Wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries, custom-designed chairs using fabric from Thomas Lavin, chandelier from Wired and wall sconces from Foundry.

PARVIZ PARGARI INTERIOR DESIGN

A LOS ANGELES DESIGNER GIVES A BEL AIR HOME A NEW VISION

TEXT KAVITA DASWANI | PHOTOGRAPHY MARY E. NICHOLS

PARVIZ PARGARI ASSIGNED himself an overarching mandate when tasked with working on his latest project–the Bel Air house had to be “transformed to a whole new vision.”

For Pargari, that meant returning to some of his favorite sources, including those at the Pacific Design Center to most elegantly elevate the interiors of the 4,500 square foot home.

The project came to Pargari through relatives of the homeowners, who had used his services in the past. The home, built in the 1980s, had been lived in by the current owners for a few years, but they hadn’t ever felt fully settled in it, given the somewhat old-fashioned interior spaces.

“They didn’t want to do a typical house remodeling,” said Pargari. “From the beginning, it was always about creating something new, and thankfully the owners welcomed my suggestions.”

The first step was to remove the multiple walls in the house, which had contributed to it feeling boxy and dated, as well as to resurface the flooring to remove what Pargari felt were a lot of “step-up-step-down” spaces.

“We took most of the walls off, and created a flat surface with beautiful wood, so much better to walk on,” he said.

Pargari oversaw every aspect of the renovation, extending to the landscaping of the 25,000 square foot lot. He designed much of the furniture, and also changed the ceiling heights, modernized the kitchen, facilitated a full-house sound system and incorporated a bar and a gym. The exterior structure of the house has remained unchanged.

ABOVE In the family room, a sectional is covered with fabrics from Romo. Fixtures by MGI. Chandelier from Wired and area rug by Aga John. Art pieces feature an interpretation of Farsi script. OPPOSITE A library/office features custom furniture designed by Pargari, using fabrics from Cowtan & Tout. Cabinetry from MGI and the chandelier is from Wired.

“We acquired furniture from some of the wonderful showrooms at the Pacific Design Center, but most of it was custom-made to fit in with the style of the house. Everything now feels modern. Everything is brand new, and with the new layout, it all flows perfectly.”

–PARVIZ PARGARI

ABOVE Kitchen construction by MGI with plumbing fixtures from Ardy’s. Lighting by Foundry.

OPPOSITE In the dining room, Pargari designed a dining table using a stone base from Formations. Drapes and the fabrics on the dining room chairs are from Larsen. Wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries and chandelier from Wired. Mirror from Nancy Corzine.

This was an important element in conceptualizing the house, said Pargari. The family - comprising of five people - entertains frequently, and he wanted them to be able to host comfortably and elegantly - but also casually when need be.

“I wanted everything to be open, so they could use the whole house when they had big parties and a lot of people here. That is why we had to change the whole layout, including the living room. They also have a perfect family room now, where they get together to watch TV.”

He also wanted to veer away from a totally monochromatic palette–pops of color are evident throughout, as are stylistic touches that point to the owners’ Iranian heritage.

“I didn’t want to have that typical house where everything is beige and cream,” he said, indicating some brilliant purple chairs in the living room, close to a colorful painting featuring Farsi script.

Pargari is especially proud of a few signature touches that add some substantial drama to the spaces: the wallpaper in the dining room features a pattern of oversized flowers, a chandelier is inspired by a Coco Chanel bracelet. The area rugs are from Aga John in Los Angeles.

“There had to be a sense of continuity, so everything feels organic and not random,” he said. “It needs to look cohesive, young and modern. Everything must fit. We like the element of surprise. But not all the time.” CH

STATE of GRACE

INTERIOR DESIGNER MAREA CLARK BRINGS A FRESH SOUTHERN SENSIBILITY TO A HISTORIC SAN FRANCISCO HOME

TEXT DEBORAH KIRK

PHOTOGRAPHY STEPHANIE RUSSO

STYLING LUCY BAMMAN

RENOVATING A HISTORIC

home can be a daunting proposition, especially when it’s one with a larger-than-life backstory. After all, how do you find the right balance between making muchneeded updates and preserving architecturally significant features? But when the new owners of a grand 1905 house in San Francisco’s Presidio Terrace neighborhood contemplated a remodel, they found the perfect collaborator in interior designer Marea Clark.

Like the owners, Clark has Southern roots and is drawn to spaces that are warm and welcoming. She immediately saw the potential for modernizing the home while infusing it with traditional elements that would

complement the historic property. “The house needed to be brought up to date for this active family of five,” Clark says. “The owners wanted to make some key changes, such as creating an open kitchen and more family spaces, but they also wanted to retain the incredible architecture.”

The 5,400-square-foot house comes with a remarkable pedigree. It was designed by Havens and Toepke—the same architects who designed San Francisco’s landmark Flatiron Building—and was bult one year before the 1906 earthquake, which it fortunately managed to withstand. And, to add even more luster to the house’s storied past, it was once the home of Princess Abigail Wahikaahuula Kawananakoa, a descendent of the Hawaiian royal family.

ABOVE The living room, designed in a soothing palette of blue, beige, and sage, features a family heirloom grand piano.

OPPOSITE Clark updated the house’s entry with a settee upholstered in Sintra Floral by Jasper Fabrics and teal silk wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries.

ABOVE For the kitchen, Clark chose brass lanterns from South Carolina’s Urban Electric Company and counter stools from North Carolina’s Hickory Chair.

OPPOSITE TOP Opening onto the lush backyard, the bonus room features Cole and Son’s playful Frutto Proibito “monkey” wallpaper.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM LEFT The bonus room doubles as a wet bar, with brass fixtures and jewel-toned evergreen tiles from Fireclay Tile.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM RIGHT The sunny breakfast room has armchairs in natural seagrass rope from Palacek, an Arden Home dining table, and a white chandelier by Paul Ferrante.

Working closely with San Francisco-based architect and fellow Southerner Benjamin McGriff, Clark and team opted to keep the seven-bedroom house’s floor plan intact; they only did larger structural work to the kitchen and family room. The team’s Southern sensibilities can be seen in the choice of furnishings, many of which have formal lines, as well as in the floral upholstery, drapes and wallpaper throughout the home. “All the furniture is custom-made,” says Clark, “and we balanced traditionally shaped pieces with relaxed materials. We also used a lot of fresh, elegant colors in our palettes, because color was really important to our clients.”

Clark says she had a “hand in every room of the house,” from selecting the marble counters for the kitchen to the playful Cole and Son

“monkey” wallpaper for the downstairs “bonus room.” She brought in furnishings and décor from many Southern sources, such as the kitchen light fixtures from South Carolina’s Urban Electric Company. And she designed the living room to highlight the grand piano, a cherished family heirloom that once belonged to one of the owners’ grandmothers and that the family had shipped cross-country from Georgia.

“Another side of Southern living is having a lovely outdoor space where you can entertain,” adds Clark, who created a cozy seating area overlooking the serene garden oasis, which was conceived by landscape designer Erica Timbrell.

“It was so much fun to be involved in the restoration of this historic home,” Clark says, “and the collaboration with the architect and owners was a truly unique shared experience.” CH

“It was so much fun to be involved in the restoration of this historic home,” Clark says, “and the collaboration with the architect and owners was a truly unique shared experience.”

ABOVE The powder room features floor-to-ceiling Raphael blue floral wallpaper from Scalamandré.

LEFT For one of the couple’s daughters, Clark designed a charming bedroom with matching floral print Roman shades and wallpaper from Georgia-based Lulie Wallace.

OPPOSITE LEFT A serene guestroom has a queen-size bed with a Saville Row Windsor Tweed headboard from Holland and Sherry and a three-drawer nightstand from Wisteria.

OPPOSITE RIGHT An inviting outdoor dining table is nestled in the garden created by landscape designer Erica Timbrell.

ASID OC Winners

The ASID OC Design Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the interior design community. This prestigious event honors designers, industry partners, and students whose projects exemplify innovation, creativity, and excellence in the field. Categories span residential and commercial design showcasing a diverse range of styles and approaches. Each entry is evaluated by a panel of esteemed industry professionals who assess criteria such as originality, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. The awards not only highlight individual talent but also inspire collaboration and elevate the standard of design throughout the region. Join us in recognizing and celebrating the incredible contributions of interior designers who shape our environments and enhance our lives.

Best Specialty | Tiny House Under 600 SF

Residence under 5,000 SF | Secondary or Guest Bedroom

Custom Detail, designed for a specific project, and Home Office or Conversion Space

AARON GOMEZ

CHER BEALL

BREEGAN CUMMINGS Student Commercial Project

DUC NGUYEN Student Residential Project

ECLA DECORATION

Best Surface Treatment

Total Remodel of Single Family Home or Condo

Traditional/Transitional Kitchen area in a Home Less than 250 SF

JESS JONES DESIGN GROUP

GINA HACKEN

JULIE DASHER RUGS Rugs & Textiles

Contemporary/Modern Bath area in home over 60 sq. ft.

Traditional/Transitional Kitchen area in home over 250 sq. ft.

Traditional/Transitional Bath area in home over 60 sq. ft. Great Room, Living Room, Den or Family Room

Contemporary/Modern Bath area in home less than 60 sq. ft.

Best Commissioned/ Collaborative Item

LORI CARROLL & ASSOCIATES

MONROE DESIGN CO

MOLLIE RANIZE - DMAR INTERIORS

STEFANO PICCINI, GEOWORLD GALLERY

Residence over 5,000 SF

Contemporary/Modern Kitchen area in home less than 250 sq. ft.

Contemporary/Modern Kitchen area in home over 250 sq. ft.

Primary or Master Suite

Traditional/Transitional Bath area in home less than 60 sq. ft.

Special Function Space

TRISHA GOYAL

WILLIAM C. ELSON Indoor/ Outdoor Space

WANDA FREDERICK

ASID OC

The White Party Gala Held At Crystal Cove In Orange County Was A Smashing Success

ASID OC recently held a White Party Gala at Crystal Cove Cultural Center to honor the winners of the Design Excellence Awards, and to also install the new incoming president, Lauri Howell. Over 100 guests, all wearing white, attended the event enjoying the beautiful view overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Susan McFadden, Editor-in-Chief of California Homes Magazine, welcomed all guests, followed by current president, William Elsen, welcoming incoming president, Lauri Howell. During the evening guests enjoyed a dinner buffet, cocktails and wine. Chapter sponsor included Pacific Sales Kitchen Home. Design Excellence Awards sponsors included California Homes, Brizo, and Geberit. Other sponsors included California Closets, Miele, Coco Republic, Dacor, Pratesi, Century, Ethan Allen, Custom Comfort Mattress, Hancock & Moore, Mathis, Vadara, and Insinkerator. The evening concluded with the Design Excellence Awards, presented by Angela Blake, given to Industry Partners, and Student Awards presented by Ashley Coffey.

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1. Dining tables with a view

2. Celebratory toast

3. Design Excellence Award Trophies

President Emeriti Pamela Barthold Swears in President Lauri Howell

5. Chai Diaz, Cher Beall, Anna Beckman, Danie Ulloa

6. Kasey Sterling with President Bill Elson

7. Mike and Sue Cassidy, winner of Showroom of Distinction, with Susan McFadden of California Homes

8. Back row: Lauri Howell, Bill Elson, Kasey Sterling Front row: Aggie Reyes, Linda McCall

9. Tablescape by Ola Bana, Z Decoration

10. Trish Goyal, Multiple Award winner with Dina Allen, Pamela Barthold, Christine Shaia

The deck at the Crystal Cove

12. Anita Jhalani, Ariel Logan, Maria Schwartz, Lynette Monroe, Kellie Davis

Delicious fruit tray

2025 ASID OC Board of Directors, Backrow: Cesar Caravantes, Lauri Howell, Derek Fisher Front row: Ashley Coffey, Aggie Reyes, Samantha Jaramillo, Kasey Sterling

15. Cesar Caravantas, Pacific Sales Best New Appliance with Angela Blake

16. Breegan Cummings with Ashley Coffey, winner Best Student Commercial Project, and Pacific Sales Student Scholarship winner

Julia Bent, Lauri Howell, Samantha Jaramillo, Kellie Davis, with Wanda Frederick, Multiple Award winner

Sunset over the water

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN CHATILLON

KALLISTA & MONOGRAM AT HŌM IN DANA POINT

California Homes Magazine joined HŌM, Kallista and Monogram For a Lovely Evening of Culinary Delights

The showroom at HŌM, Dana Point was the setting for an exclusive sit-down dinner meticulously crafted by renowned chef & owner of Glasspar, Dana Point, Rob Wilson. Special wines were served courtesy of Wien Family Cellars in Temecula. Preparation was done in their showcase Monogram kitchen to celebrate the opulent flavors and vibrant hues of the fall season. In addition to the culinary delights HŌM was thrilled to unveil the newest collection from Kallista.

1. Table Set for Dining

2. Susan Jensen from Hawk & Co., Danielle Desimone, owner of HOM, Dana Point, Sharon Williams

3. In the Monogram kitchen, J.Ignacio, Chef Rob Wilson, Ian Harrington, Stacie Coleman, and Andy Sechrist

4. Chef Rob Wilson and Designer Rona Graf

5. Lisa Guerrero, Kallista A&D Sales Manager West, Ryan Suvanto from Monogram, Susan McFadden, California Homes, and Danielle Desimone

6. A display of Kallista’s new product

7. Caren Rideau from The Kitchen Design Group with Michelle Zoldano

8. Kimberly Smith from Crawford Custom Homes, Elaine Morrison of Morrison Design and Bianca Spinazzola

9. Greg Hawkins and Mike Reeves of Corbin Reeves Construction

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN CHATILLON

FALL MARKET AT THE PACIFIC DESIGN CENTER

Architect Paul McClean and Jennifer Convy, CEO of Women in Luxury Design (W.I.L.D) Team Up For An Exciting Keynote Discussion

It was a fantastic Fall Market in October, 2024 with a keynote discussion on the mainstage featuring architect Paul McClean of McClean Design. The interview was led by Jennifer Convy, CEO of Women in Luxury Design and Host of W.I.LD on Design, Webcast series. Paul’s topic was the journey and details of “Contemporary Living.” This is Paul’s second book in five years with Rizolli, featuring his contemporary architecture, philosophy, showcasing the firms vast work and unique approach to residential design. The event concluded with a lively book signing reception, hosted by A. Rudin, where guests had the opportunity to meet the author and enjoy drinks and small bites. California Homes was the media sponsor of the event.

1. The new book, Contemporary Living by Paul McClean

2. Architect Paul McClean on the podium at the Pacific Design Center’s Fall Market with Jennifer Convy, CEO of Women In Luxury Design

3. Architect Paul McClean and Jennifer Convy

4. Kimberly Smith of Crawford Custom Homes with Paul McClean

5. Paul McClean, Susan McFadden, Jennifer Convy and Erik Peterson

6. Designers Emma De Roche and Elena Alexandra

7. Paul McClean, Carlos Khajadorian, and Rick Campos

A Crowd at the 5th Floor Atrium

Susan McFadden with designer Parviz Pargari

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN CHATILLON

A CUSTOM HOME DESERVES CUSTOM

WATER

It goes without saying that your home has all the finest amenities. But what about your water? Pure Elements has created a fully custom HealthyHome Water Filtration System. Every house is unique; therefore every system we install is different. Plus, it’ll reduce hard water issues without the negative effects of salt. Enjoy crystal clear water throughout your house for consumption, cooking, cleaning, and bathing. Better for your family, better for pipes, better for your pool. It’s even better for your landscape. Water just doesn’t get any better than this.

SALT-FREE CUSTOM CONDITIONING SYSTEM

No more slimy, can’t-get-the-soapoff-me feeling. Better for you and the environment.

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH

Feeling is believing. Address Carcinogens, Forever Chemicals PFAs and PFOs, Pharmaceuticals, Micro-Plastics, Chloramines and more for clean drinking water and a better bathing experience.

Water Visionary in Orange County for 45 years - Rick Allen, CEO of Pure Elements, Inc.

Avoid

FEBAL CASA LAGUNA DESIGN CENTER

DESIGN

CENTER

FEBAL CASA LAGUNA DESIGN CENTER