Residences in Santa Monica can feel closed off, but our clients, a worldly couple with three children, were interested in the opposite—a home that would engage with the neighborhood. At the entrance of the modernist-inspired design is a water feature that doubles as a bench where passersby are invited to sit and converse. Similarly, an expansive wall-height window for the powder room at the front creates an open dialogue with the neighborhood. 

Through the entry, visitors are greeted by a striking element envisioned by the client: a floating walnut stair that serves as a sculptural centerpiece as it ascends three levels through a lightwell. Further in on the ground floor are expansive dining, kitchen, and living areas, where pocket sliders melt away on three sides to connect with the backyard and pool, creating an expansive, free-flowing indoor/outdoor experience. Up the walnut stair are four bedrooms, including a primary suite that opens wide onto a wrap-around deck overlooking the yard.

Contrasting this limitless outward expression is a private sanctuary that provides our clients with a space for rest and refuge. The en suite bath is anchored by a generous 10-by-4-foot shower that’s hewn from a quartzite slab chosen for its visually stimulating character and calming effect. Its muted colors and striated, rippling patterns shift subtly as the sun moves across a skylight overhead, creating a dynamic yet soothing atmosphere.

To further reflect the owners’ vivacious spirit and penchant for hosting, we wove in a series of amenities including a state-of-the-art wine cellar, cinema room, and Turkish bath on the lower level. Additionally, a gym with mirrored walls keeps with the home’s open feel and the timeless elegance of International Style.