66 DIGS.NET
| 9.9.22
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P R O F I L E | S T U D I O W I L L I A M H E F N E R
The interior is one of exquisite equilib-
rium—great depth and yet total light-
ness. "With fine materials and abundant
sunlight, spaces have a tactile richness
that is warm rather than austere," notes
the studio. It is a splendidly accessorized
space of natural light, neutral hues, and
organic textures. All very understated,
and yet, with a few dazzling surprises. The
agate chandelier cascading down from
cathedral ceilings in the limestone-fire-
placed living room. A geometric inlaid
floor and floating vanity in the master bath.
The sculptural floating staircase in lean,
graceful ascension. Every decorative
choice conveys a sense of comfort and
ease, adding texture but never forcefully,
reinforcing the home's freshness and
amplifying the views beyond.
What a beyond. Outdoor spaces are
conspicuously old and new. "A simple
colonnaded porch at the front of the house
invokes ranch heritage," the studio notes.
"Old growth olive trees," meanwhile, "were
brought into the front garden to enhance
the impression of age on the property."
Limestone on the wings of the house offer
"a modern take on rustic stone ranch build-
ings." Finally, the rear of the house opens
to a congenial covered outdoor room with
a fireplace just steps from the backyard.
The landscape, a methodically well-or-
dered Shangri-la with a strict sense of
geometry, engenders the exact opposite
feeling—it's lush, sun-kissed, and unhur-
ried. The eye gazes past the trim lawn
to the enchanting blue of the elongated
pool, its surface still like a reflecting
pond, the whole thing backdropped by
a wall of privacy producing shrubs and
trees. That the grounds are in constant
dialogue with the interior of the house is
of no surprise; it is, however, of regional
consequence. "The lifestyle of South-
ern California is so much about indoor/
outdoor, we sought to make the house
where the owners would move easily
between the spaces," concedes Hefner,
who has not only written two books about
this residential ideal—California Homes
and California Homes II—he continues to
create it, with Palisades Ranch a protag-
onist in his ever-impressive pantheon.
williamhefner.com
