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Collection by Carren Jao

Go West: DOD Westside Home Tour

June gloom greeted the Dwell on Design tourists early Saturday morning, but that didn’t damper their enthusiasm to get up close and personal with six residences in Dwell on Design’s self-guided Westside Home Tour. From Venice to Baldwin Hills, every home was a ravishing rendition of thoughtful modern living. Though interpreted in uniquely personal ways, modern life through the lens of these six homes was a common pursuit for a welcoming atmosphere that blurred the inside with outside and made full use of the California’s (almost) eternal sunshine. Here are few glimpses of the homes we toured last weekend.

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The front door is an awe-inspiring, 14-foot, mixed wood creation made by L.A. custom door fabricators Real Door Inc. The wood used in making the door were mostly leftovers from the shop, says Dino of Real Door Inc. A gentle wave pattern accentuates the material's natural grain.
The front door is an awe-inspiring, 14-foot, mixed wood creation made by L.A. custom door fabricators Real Door Inc. The wood used in making the door were mostly leftovers from the shop, says Dino of Real Door Inc. A gentle wave pattern accentuates the material's natural grain.
The 4,500-square-foot, six-bedroom, two-story home has multiple living areas rendered in a neutral color palette and punched up with bright color.
The 4,500-square-foot, six-bedroom, two-story home has multiple living areas rendered in a neutral color palette and punched up with bright color.
Wood and wood panels can be seen from the floors to the walls, which adds warmth and intimacy to home. The gesture seamlessly sweeps the eye from the floor up to the walls.
Wood and wood panels can be seen from the floors to the walls, which adds warmth and intimacy to home. The gesture seamlessly sweeps the eye from the floor up to the walls.
The office is hidden behind the first living area, completely removed from a visitor’s field of vision. It gives the owners a private place to work, while still keeping them connected to the rest of the home. It is a clever use of space says one visitor.
The office is hidden behind the first living area, completely removed from a visitor’s field of vision. It gives the owners a private place to work, while still keeping them connected to the rest of the home. It is a clever use of space says one visitor.
Minarc intentionally used materials commonly used in industrial settings and declined to paint over it. Their strategy made the home low-maintenance, perfect for the six members of the family, three dogs and an ever changing roster of foster pets who would call it home.
Minarc intentionally used materials commonly used in industrial settings and declined to paint over it. Their strategy made the home low-maintenance, perfect for the six members of the family, three dogs and an ever changing roster of foster pets who would call it home.
The Appleton home also showcases a beautiful outdoor area complete with pool, seating, living area and play area, which can all be seen from the kitchen.
The Appleton home also showcases a beautiful outdoor area complete with pool, seating, living area and play area, which can all be seen from the kitchen.
This home was moved into almost two years ago, but shows little wear.
This home was moved into almost two years ago, but shows little wear.
Once inside, the living area sits on the left while the media center is on the right. Through the slender staircase, the kitchen, breakfast and dining areas can easily be seen.
Once inside, the living area sits on the left while the media center is on the right. Through the slender staircase, the kitchen, breakfast and dining areas can easily be seen.
Windows create a lot of the drama in the Rose House. Each one was thoughtfully planned out and placed by architect Robert Thibodeau, says the owner.
Windows create a lot of the drama in the Rose House. Each one was thoughtfully planned out and placed by architect Robert Thibodeau, says the owner.
Almost every room fills with light, says the owner. Guests who sleep over are provided with eye masks in case they’d rather not be woken up by the morning sunlight.
Almost every room fills with light, says the owner. Guests who sleep over are provided with eye masks in case they’d rather not be woken up by the morning sunlight.
The windows in the Master Bath open directly onto the balcony facing the street. But there is no worry of neighbors being able to peek in. The owner says that Thibodeau dutifully walked all around the street, making sure that nothing can be seen from any vantage point.
The windows in the Master Bath open directly onto the balcony facing the street. But there is no worry of neighbors being able to peek in. The owner says that Thibodeau dutifully walked all around the street, making sure that nothing can be seen from any vantage point.
The Tatami home has a very closed concrete exterior that reflects the sensibilities of its ultra-private Japanese owners. It is also the result of Swiss designer Roger Kurath’s tilt-up pre-fab system.
The Tatami home has a very closed concrete exterior that reflects the sensibilities of its ultra-private Japanese owners. It is also the result of Swiss designer Roger Kurath’s tilt-up pre-fab system.
The residence was designed according to the proportions of the Tatami mat, a "golden ratio" of Japanese culture, says Kurath.
The residence was designed according to the proportions of the Tatami mat, a "golden ratio" of Japanese culture, says Kurath.
The interior of the home is evidence of its meticulous owners. Everything has its place, hidden behind sleek white shelving systems.
The interior of the home is evidence of its meticulous owners. Everything has its place, hidden behind sleek white shelving systems.
The residents' office was similarly well-organized. Every book lined up perfectly and twin Macs were oriented toward the home’s heart, the central courtyard.
The residents' office was similarly well-organized. Every book lined up perfectly and twin Macs were oriented toward the home’s heart, the central courtyard.
Kurath stayed away from any customization, preferring to purchase off the shelf products to lower the cost of building the home. Only the windows were custom-made, which is how it really is done in Switzerland.
Kurath stayed away from any customization, preferring to purchase off the shelf products to lower the cost of building the home. Only the windows were custom-made, which is how it really is done in Switzerland.
The windows turn into doors with a twist of the handle, a standard design in Switzerland says the docent.
The windows turn into doors with a twist of the handle, a standard design in Switzerland says the docent.
The central courtyard is undoubtedly the star of the show. The softly curved lines on the roofline create a picturesque frame for L.A.’s blue skies and abundant sunshine. A lone tree sits in the middle, the focal point for the whole home.
The central courtyard is undoubtedly the star of the show. The softly curved lines on the roofline create a picturesque frame for L.A.’s blue skies and abundant sunshine. A lone tree sits in the middle, the focal point for the whole home.
The Sunlight House is a welcome addition the sleepy Baldwin Hills neighborhood that doesn’t usually see new construction.
The Sunlight House is a welcome addition the sleepy Baldwin Hills neighborhood that doesn’t usually see new construction.

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