S W E E T D I G S | 2 9 1 7 N P O I N S E T T I A
tradition by placing main living spaces
on the uppermost level. Notably, the
homeowners transformed this area into
an open-concept haven: "We busted out
every wall upstairs and made it a great big
kitchen with an island that was bigger than
our old dining room," says the homeowner.
This sun-filled kitchen showcases
professional-grade appliances, including
a substantial, 72-inch gleaming range that
required crane delivery through the second-
floor French doors. The open layout creates
perfect spaces for watching over children
and hosting gatherings with ease. "The
beauty of that dining room was it lent itself
to indoor-outdoor because we had decks
on either side," Whistler explains. "Some-
times we would do buffets—they'd get food
at the big island, eat at the table and then
have cocktails on the decks."
The primary suite occupies a wing of
its own, with generous dual walk-in clos-
ets and, in addition to the spacious main
bedroom with fireplace, there's an adja-
cent bedroom suite that works beautifully
as a nursery or office. Head to the first
floor, which functions as a flexible family
zone with dual bedrooms, bathrooms and
a choice of living spaces. It's a great place
for guest quarters or to house older chil-
dren. The homeowner recounts how his
son "had friends from all over Manhattan
Beach who said, 'Let's go to his house'—
there's the big screen TV, the parents bring
food down. So he had party central with two
bedrooms, two baths downstairs and that
big den," Whistler chuckles.
RARE FIND, IDEAL LOCATION
The home is situated on a short block of Poin-
settia in Manhattan Beach's Tree Section,
what Whistler describes as "a micro-neigh-
borhood renowned for a storybook feel, quite
unlike any other block in the area." Mature
trees create a natural canopy overhead,
forming a leafy cathedral that distinguishes
this tucked-away, mellow street. It's a fami-
ly-friendly atmosphere where children play
and neighbors congregate.
Yet for all its secluded charm, the loca-
tion is a convenient one: the greenbelt
(Veterans Parkway) is a one-minute walk,
while downtown Manhattan Beach is a
15-minute stroll. Manhattan Village shop-
ping is a two-minute drive, and the beach
beckons just a mile away. Back home,
from its wood entrance gate to its gabled
roofs and old-growth trees, this Manhattan
Beach residence is a delightful haven and
a marriage of old and new—a rare show of
how classical European architecture can
work beautifully for modern-day California
beach living.
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