Beautiful Spaces for Beautiful Memories
When it comes to family spaces, living large isn’t about an excess of square footage but about creating a space where the family can simultaneously live together and alongside one another. Thanks to good design, you would never guess this house was originally built as a bachelor pad instead of the perfect spot to raise a family.
Upon entering the space, you may notice the open floor plan feels particularly welcoming thanks to its earthy color pallet and strategically placed conversation groupings. Just off the front door is the first sitting area comprising four velvety blue chairs anchored in place by a large painting of a sunset. Adjacent to this is the living area, with ample seating for both family and guests. Sprinkled throughout the house is a mixture of carefully curated decorative accents. Some are new, but most hold sentimental value, like the beautiful living room rug that came from the owner’s childhood home. A pair of charcoals by local tattoo artist, Joaquin Hernandez, grace the bookshelves alongside tribal inspired necklaces, handmade pottery, and a wooden horsehead for added texture. “In my own designs, I tend to have a cultural liking, whether it be Native American, Japanese, or African,” the homeowner stated. The living room opens directly into the kitchen where a large island with black honed countertops and soft taupe cabinetry continue to balance a style that is both modern and rustic. By allowing each of these spaces to flow seamlessly into one another, the family can easily read, eat, and hang out together, while having plenty of space to find a quiet corner when they crave some downtime.
As you continue inside, there are three bedrooms and an office. Upstairs is a bonus room set up with plenty of space for the kids to hang out with friends and an exercise area for the adults. “This room is amazing. Every kid in the neighborhood likes to hang out at our house and they can come up here or go outside,” the owner noted.
As well appointed as the inside is, it is really the backyard that makes this house stand apart from the rest. The same attention to space that was applied inside has been applied outside, and each area of the yard has its very own sense of purpose. The first area is a dining table where the family eats the majority of their meals. Just past this is the first of two outdoor living areas. The first has a large corner fireplace with a television, ideal for relaxing and spending time as a family. Just behind the conversation area is an outdoor kitchen. “We sit out here and watch television all the time. I cook on the grill more than inside, even in the dead of summer. I just like being outside,” the homeowner explained.
Continuing to move through the yard, a second, sunken living area offers even more space for the family and their friends to hang out. Hardscaping in this section divides it into seating, a wet bar with ample counter space, and a second outdoor television. This arrangement makes for easy entertaining and is next to a swim-up bar where the owners often enjoy spending time while the kids are playing in the pool. Up around the pool deck, you’ll continue to find lounge chairs for sunbathing and a third conversational grouping, perfect for days when they want to enjoy the sun. To add ambiance, the pool has both water and fire features. The water helps to create a backdrop of white noise that covers the sounds of passing cars. While the fire features are not only beautiful to look at, they also make the yard usable in the colder months. In addition to the pool, the homeowners also installed a sand volleyball court and trampoline. These additional activity areas add to the year round usability of their yard.
By placing a focus on functionality in the original design phase and the homeowner’s eye for maximizing each aspect, inside and out, the family has taken full advantage of the charming areas created. These beautiful spaces allow them plenty of room to feel connected and to make memories together.
