Favorites

Hardwearing quartz is used on the kitchen worktops. The cupboards are made from yew veneer.

The open-plan kitchen and dining area has Halo lights by Ladies and Gentlemen Studio, Air chairs by Jasper Morrison, and a sofa from IKEA.

Malcolm Davis Architecture helps a family roll back years of hodgepodge additions while opening the rear facade to the garden.

A second staircase was added to take advantage of the height provided by a previously unfinished attic. The skylights bring sunshine down to both levels.

Heath tiles were used in the primary bathroom, and unlacquered brass fixtures from Watermark continue the theme.

"The dark, moody primary suite and its contrast to the bright and airy primary bathroom shower are another favorite of both the design team and the homeowners,

“The large, centrally located island in the middle of the parlor floor is not only a favorite space but also the heart of the house,” says resident Fei Zhong.

The main bathroom uses slabs of travertine contrasted against white subway tiles. “The master bathroom, which is cream and white with brass fixtures, is a favorite space,” says resident Fei Zhong. “We spent a lot of time scouting the right tiles and stone and decided on travertine. It creates a really peaceful space in a house with two small children.”

In the kitchen, affordable IKEA cabinetry is elevated through the use of Carrara marble benchtops.

In the kitchen, a glass backsplash is one of many connections to the outdoors. The Hee barstools are by Hay and the Highline pendant light is by Rakumba Lighting Australia.

A switchback staircase accommodates a grand piano handed down from Anton’s father.

Making maximum use of a tight footprint, architect Robert Sweet designed a two-story home in Hermosa Beach that provides plenty of flexible indoor/outdoor space for residents Anton and Mardi Watts and their children.

The kitchen with granilite flooring.

Designed in Oak wood specially for this project. For coat, shoes and umbrelas.

Curtis designed the Ash built-in bench and table, to be narrow enough so as not to encroach the living room, yet still fit the whole family. The “elevated but casual” stools, another Urbanology design, are covered in a textural wool, and designed to tuck completely under the table or move around as needed.

Curtis completely overhauled the shelving, changing the shapes of the niches and covering them in micro-cement.

"I often choose finishes that allow the natural texture to show through, and finishes that emphasize the cathedrals and burls of the graining,