12.16.2016 | DIGS.NET 67
When it comes to capturing the best of the home's outdoor panorama,
Starr explains: "The beauty of the view is not something I control, it's
only something I can embrace." In the end, a deft deck and window
placement resulted in an optimal embrace, or framing, of the outdoors
that feels simultaneously private and expansive no matter where one
is in the home.
An Elevated Lifestyle
The use of contrasting, fine materials—smooth porcelain, grainy
mahogany and rugged stone among them—further defines the home's
sophistication. "You have this limited amount of space to maximize,"
says Starr. "How do you make it interesting?" Juxtaposing materials,
particularly new with old, rugged with sleek, effectively texturizes a
space while transforming its proportions and making it more visually
engaging. "The idea is to unbox the box, and have volumes collide."
Another successful contrast is the way the home mingles luxury
with nature. This is notable in the grassy backyard—adjacent to
a comfortable family room, it's an area that's been turned into a
private, fresh-air oasis via an infinity-edge Jacuzzi pool, a grill station
and strategic spots for lounging beneath the California sun. Above
the space is a deck that provides shade for the patio below, and is
a peaceful perch where one can watch backyard happenings. Like
the top floor of the home, this private outdoor space is ripe with
entertainment possibilities.
Since today's kitchen often functions as living rooms of the past
did, as the center of family and social life, this one has been rightly
outfitted for the role. It's a high-sheen, sunlit place, decked with
industrial-grade Miele appliances and a generous, Calacatta-slab island
and dining nook. "We did an automotive finish on the cabinetry within
the home, which is unique to Manhattan Beach," points out Schlee. "It
gives that reflective, mirrored look, like a European sports car. You can
see yourself in it."
To accommodate an ever-rising standard of high-end South Bay
living, the home's designer and builder have pulled together an
arsenal of the latest home tech innovation and fine materials, and
wrapped it in a cosmopolitan design. The result is a residence where
one immerses themselves in an atmosphere of uncluttered, cutting-
edge luxury. "It's really our first Silicon Bay showcase in the South
Bay," says Salceda. "The exciting part is where we're going from here.
We're going to keep pushing the market."
S W E E T D I G S
