SOUTH BAY DIGS | Digital Edition Online

54 DIGS.NET | 9.6.24 S W E E T D I G S | 4 0 1 2 7 T H Also in balance is a mingling of indoor and outdoor spaces, introduced at the front entrance. The mahogany front gate ushers you into a stone courtyard sanctuary, alive with olive trees and shade from a majes- tic Camphor-Laurel tree, standing 25-feet tall. The client, describes Starr, "wanted an outdoor space to play with his kids, so I created this courtyard. But I did these bi-fold doors that open up from the corner, and the idea was, 'You can stand in the living room and throw the ball through the courtyard and into the TV room. That's where you can play catch.' That was the inspiration." Bringing a fresh-air atmosphere into the interior is a persistent theme of the home. There are massive sliding and pocketing doors; plus balconies and decks at every turn to usher in natural light and coastal breezes. OUTDOORS, INDOORS—ALL THE TIME Head to the uppermost floor and you'll discover how the home's namesake, Cloudbreak, may have come about. A top-of- the-world entertaining lounge and bar open onto a spacious patio—with striking, unob- structed views stretching from Palos Verdes, past Catalina Island to Malibu and beyond. Spanning about 400 feet, the rooftop deck, like the rest of the home, is pleas- antly oversized. Designed for relaxation, it's outfitted with an outdoor fireplace, jacuzzi and barbecue area. There's even a shower to rinse between oceanview soaks in the bubbling spa. "It's unusual to have that big of a deck," Stroyke good-naturedly points out. "There's nobody that has that big of a deck on single lot—no chance." A connection to the natural envi- ronment is further emphasized by the use of earthy materials throughout the home. Floors, ceilings and spaces are judi- ciously clad in smooth hardwoods, reflecting sunlight and balancing a sense of warmth against the grandeur of the home. A stand- out feature is a majestic beam ceiling that runs the length of the top floor. "It mimics a wave breaking on the shore," Stroyke explains. "You've got this cedar, tongue- and-groove ceiling from end to end, and 100 feet of a 'bellow of the boat' curved wood ceiling. It's unbelievable." It's a central feature of the primary suite, which has been designed as a private sanctu- ary. Occupying a wing of its own on uppermost level, it's completed by a 400-square-foot deck. "The deck is exclusive to the primary suite," says Stroyke, describing the suite as an ideal retreat for parents. The current homeowner has even transformed part of the deck into an impromptu driving range, complete with a protective net for practicing golf swings against an ocean backdrop. More than just a home Cloudbreak is a celebration of the vision of those who created it, plus the striking beauty of its charmed location. "It's one of three biggest estate homes on oversized lots, with big ocean views in the Sand Section," says Stroyke. "It's an iconic and timeless master- piece that appeals to everyone." A R C H I T E C T U R E + D E S I G N

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