54 DIGS.NET
| 1.9.26
S W E E T D I G S | 4 0 6 V I A M E S A G R A N D E
desired) with a built-in beverage area and
custom iron French doors that open to the
tiered backyard.
A sublime Mediterranean oasis marked
by natural grass, pavers, pea gravel and a
low-maintenance landscape of Birds of Para-
dise, banana plants and succulents, the
backyard is a drama in three levels: The first
tier supports alfresco fun with a lawn, a grand
stone firepit, and a patio for relaxed outdoor
dining; the second tier introduces a splen-
did Spanish fountain and ocean views, and
the third tier a nice sitting area with addi-
tional scenes of the Pacific, from Catalina to
Malibu. Each elevation is a small splendor.
The view is at its most soaring, however,
on the second floor of the house—a multi-
functional space zoned for the breathtaking
chef's kitchen, a dining/bar area, and the
great room beyond. The imposing 9-foot
rounded iron glass doors dissolve the
division between indoors and out by open-
ing the entire space to the ocean-facing
balcony with custom railing and hand-
painted Portuguese tile. "It's just a mic
drop moment," Miller says of the instant
you turn left at the top of stairs and are
enveloped by the spectacular, unobstructed
expanse spanning the entire second level.
"You can see the shore break, the Strand,
the Hollywood sign, the city of Los Ange-
les—it's incredible." Maximizing this asset,
Miller altered the balcony to wrap around
and connect to a second set of double doors
to use as a side service when entertaining.
On these occasions, the showcase
kitchen is a dream. "Where do I start?" Miller
muses on this two-toned space lavished in
Taj Mahal porcelain and featuring custom
wood shelving and skinny shaker cabinetry
in both a cappuccino stain and a soft
seafoam white with brushed gold and black
hardware. The massive waterfall kitchen
island, meanwhile, is of Architectural
Digest-quality, offering multiple seating
for magnanimous gathering, while woven
pendants from Tulum lend a warm Spanish
rusticity to sleek designer refinements, from
a stainless-steel hood to topline appliances
from Thermador and Bosch.
With everything new and of premium
quality, along with plum proximity to the
beach and Riviera Village alike, 406 Via
Mesa Grande is a house of many moments.
"That's how I design and build all my
houses," Miller says. But even he concedes,
"This one really is special."
More Information
A
R
C
H
I
T
E
C
T
U
R
E
+
D
E
S
I
G
N
