A Contemporary Beach Home in Venice, California

The key to a great home is great bones. So says the design adage. When Kim Gordon was tapped to entirely reimagine a dark and dated industrial spec project in Venice Beach, California, however, its bones were only part of the problem.

There was also the abundance of cold and sterile surfaces, the lack of access to outdoor areas, and the fact that the home had little closet space or storage. Not to mention the fact that it was entirely foyer-less.

Instead of demo-ing the 2008 structure, however, Gordon entirely reimagined it. She started by gutting the bathrooms and kitchen and in their place created spaces with more intuitive flow and less visual clutter. She replaced the original massive kitchen island with one that assumes more fitting proportions, while its former dark wood cabinetry and intricate glass tile backsplash were replaced by raw oak cabinets and all white surfaces to become a light-flooded culinary hub.

Gordon reconfigured the main floor plan, opening up the space to more light while at the same time carving out small nooks to counterbalance the openness. In one instance she removed an interior wall separating the kitchen and living spaces and replaced it with a 12-foot woven wall hanging by Venice-based artist Jayme Cole. Throughout it all, she swapped out sterile concrete floors with the warmth of pale oak planks from Duchateau.

Critically, Gordon designed a foyer area, providing a coat closet, shoe storage and more, while also creating vital privacy between the commanding front glass door and the living space.

Today expansive windows and tall hedges invite the light while protecting the homeowners’ privacy. By swapping out contrasting finishes and heavy patterns for a rich palette of neutrals, textiles and plants, Gordon created a modern-minded beach home that proves contemporary design doesn’t ever need to feel cold.