Redondo Beach Residence

San Franciscan city-dwellers find home in sunny Southern California. Their eclectic Scandinavian style brings a fresh feel to this Los Angeles beach town. “Walkability was key. We love that we’re a few blocks away from fresh fish tacos, margaritas, and the beach. We wanted the accessibility of a city combined with the ease of a beach town, and we found all of that here in Redondo Beach.”

Owner-architect, Niharika Hablani, www.niharikah.com, immediately fell in love with this '97 built home for its quirky 90s character and the abundant natural light. As her and her husband toured the home for the first time, one word rang out loud "potential". They immediately went to work and kept what was working and removed what wasn't. The Gills replaced the flooring, finishes, fixtures, equipment, applied fresh paint throughout. The architect even managed to carve out an additional bedroom out of an old dining nook, which has since become her home office.

Vaulted ceilings in the home’s great room are accentuated by a living sculpture - a 14 foot Serpent Tree from a local nursery. The kitchen and living area rest on the upper level of the home and are flanked by two large balconies. On most days both balcony doors are kept wide open, creating a cross-draft that - paired with the greenery sprouting throughout - keep the home feeling fresh and truly merge indoor and out.