DIGS is the premiere luxury real estate lifestyle magazine serving the most affluent neighborhoods in the South Bay and Westside of Los Angeles, California.
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S W E E T D I G S | 1 1 4 5 P I N E AV E N U E ''W e wanted to make sure every inch of this home had a functional use," says Mark van Meurs of the striking residence on Pine Avenue in Manhattan Beach. The dynamic designer residence is the brainchild of interior design team Ana Popovic and Mark van Meurs of Modern Beach Interiors, who were looking for a Manhattan Beach home where they and their two children could play, live, work and entertain in high style—and with plenty of gusto. The designers started with a clean slate, enlisting Abramson Architects, known for their sleek, contemporary residences, to design their new home. After seeing other works by the award-winning Los Angeles architectural firm, Popovic says: "We were fans, instantly." At Pine Avenue, Abramson Architects founder Trevor Abramson and firm partner David Pascu worked with the pair to craft the 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom residence. Spanning approximately 3,000 square feet of living space, not counting a custom music and recreation room fashioned by the designer homeowners—this vibrant, private haven includes a spacious backyard and pool that's paradoxically, very centrally located. "We start everyday with a walk to the beach," describes Popovic. "It's only 10 minutes away." Likewise for Downtown Manhattan Beach. Their daughter's elementary school is even closer, and there's a local coffee shop just a block away. "We tend to keep the car right where it is," points out van Meurs. Completed in early 2021, the crisp, archi- tectural residence was enhanced by way of the designers' distinctive interior elements, which turned up the freshly imaginative vigor of the place. There are minimalist, almost sculptural features and decor (often by luxe furniture house B&B Italia, a favorite of the design duo), and chic pops of color that are a signature of their work. "We built something different than what the Tree Section offers," says van Meurs, "and we did it in a smart, efficient way." Step into the entrance lounge—an airy and welcoming space with cherry red stools and a glowing wall cabinet, stocked with designer glassware for use at the black walnut bar, personally designed by the homeowners. Says Popovic, "Usually the entry is a space that nobody uses. We were like, 'We're going to have doors that open all the way. We're going to have an exterior fireplace, an interior fireplace and a bar—the moment you enter the house." In keeping with the fun-yet-user-friendly ethos of the project, the designers describe the shape-shifting uses of this space: As an a.m. bar where they fix and enjoy their morning coffee, a space that's warmed on cool days by a hanging fireplace imported from Amsterdam. As a stylish anteroom to greet clients before ushering them into the adjacent office, neatly cordoned off by a rolling door. Or as a party spot where guests mingle over wine and conversation. A R C H I T E C T U R E + D E S I G N 66 DIGS.NET | 4.21.23