43 Gorgeous and inspiring interiors by Meridith Baer Home

Meridith Baer is a renowned home staging company based out of Los Angeles, California who shows her talents through house-staging, furnishings, interior design and event interiors on both the West and East coasts. Her design team has been staging ultra-luxurious homes since 1998 with a clientele that includes about 300 celebrities and billionaires. Baer is a former model, actress and Hollywood screenwriter who fashioned her ultimate plot twist at age 50 by reinventing herself as a niche entrepreneur. She has a talent for being a storyteller by entering a home and imagining who might live in it, telling their story with ease and elegance.

Baer’s team is known for its uncanny ability to hand-select furnishings and objects that are exactly what visitors would own if they lived in the home. The selections are made from the firm’s 135,000-square-foot warehouse and include furniture, art, books, silverware and everything needed to bring a lived in, cozy feeling to what are typically large spaces.

Baer’s staff of 70 includes decorators, movers, carpenters and upholsterers. The firm bills a design and installation fee of varying amounts, plus a monthly rental fee if the house sits on the market. Once the home sells, Baer’s items are removed to make way for whatever the new owner or his decorator chooses.

Baer’s design talents range from traditional, transitional, modern, European, coastal, estates, highrises, condos and lofts; which can be seen in this collection of inspiring interiors that are shown below. Please leave us a comment below and let us know what you think of Meridith’s affinity for selecting the perfect furnishings to make a make a home a showstopper.

Photos: Courtesy of Meridith Baer Home

Awe-inspiring LA pad with incredible views

This stunning contemporary home has been designed by La Kaza in collaboration with Meridith Baer Home, located in the prestigious Doheny estates in Los Angeles, California. Upon entrance to this large scale property you are greeted by 12 foot high ceilings, a large scale entertaining space and breathtaking views over the infinity edge, 40 foot saline pool. This LA Basin view, 6,500 square foot home offers five bedrooms, all en-suite, which includes a 1,200 square foot master bedroom with dual walnut wood closets.  Other features include top of the line Bulthaup kitchen with Gaggneau appliances, two guest bathrooms, Boffi bathroom cabinets and tub, screening room, wine tasting room, top of the line Crestron smart systems for security, lighting, climate, entertainment and privacy, video surveillance security systems and three car attached garage.  Incredible views, centralized location, and flawless execution with the finest materials, make this unique property, stunning and awe-inspiring.

Malibu dream home nestled on the bluffs

7377 Birdview Ave is nestled on 180 feet of bluff frontage next to Pt. Dume State Park, in Malibu, California, designed by Burdge & Associates Architects. The home features breathtaking ocean, island and sunset views and unique privacy. The major design and planning objective of Burdge was to take advantage of the views at every turn. Rare is a spot in the house without one. Using mostly orthoganol geometries, rectangular volumetrics and modern materials such as horizontal cedar siding, board form concrete, smooth trowel stucco, glass and aluminum, the 8,900 square foot home is designed to have an open indoor/outdoor flow. Jay Griffith’s landscape design provides privacy with tall cypress trees that line the property. The home was constructed under strict green building standards along with strict guidelines from the Coastal Commission. It deserves this award because of Burdge’s beautiful incorporation of the unique environment in his design.

Photos: Courtesy of Burdge & Associates Architects

Rusting corrugated steel barn with African influences

Wolfe Residence was designed by Ehrlich Architects for an African art dealer/collector and big game hunter and his family in West Los Angeles, California. The 3,400 square foot sustainable residence is a rusting Cor-ten steel barn showcasing the owner’s ever-changing collection of African art and furniture, taking full advantage of Southern California’s benign climate. The Owner and the Architect share a deep love of, and a long history with Africa where the Architect lived for six years and the Owner continues to visit and engage local artists every year. Their shared connection with this continent was an instrumental influence on the architecture, landscape, and interiors.

The corrugated Cor-ten steel roof wraps continuously around the roof to the walls to the ground, showcasing the naturally weathering material. Oversized sliding glass doors open the steel structure up on two sides (sliding into wall pockets), transforming the house into an airy pavilion. The owner’s collection of African art is displayed on the large white walls of the main living area.

The 13 foot high, white walls of the main living space display eclectic African treasures from many regions. A zebra print carpet covers the stairs leading to the upper floor and mezzanine, past a skylit moosehead hanging on the stairwell wall, continuing the African wilderness theme present throughout the house. The upstairs master bedroom suite features a balcony overlooking the backyard pool and a “his and hers” walk in closet that were customized to expresses the Hunter and the Hunted which the Owners religiously dress as. Sustainable landscaping is achieved with extensive zero-scape, native plants and bark and sand ground cover. African hardwood stools mix with found and recycled artifacts, and a basketball hoop.

Photos: Grant Mudford

The Fortress fantasy villa overlooking the Hollywood Hills

This striking, one-of-a-kind architectural masterpiece is one of the most unique villas in Los Angeles, California. Designed by David Lawrence Gray Architects, Sunset Plaza Mansion sits on a privately gated half-acre plus promontory overlooking the Hollywood Hills. Part contemporary palace, part concrete fortress, this 10,369 square foot fantasy villa is unlike anything else in the neighborhood. The home belongs to DJ and producer Val Kolton, and has been coined the “King of the Hill” and has also been referred to as “The Fortress”. Inside the elements of steel, glass and concrete have been masterfully incorporated throughout the mansion.

The home boasts floor-to-ceiling walls of glass that captures 270-degree jet liner city views from downtown to the Pacific Ocean. A glass staircase escorts you over the voluminous, 60′ grand entry and into the lavish master bedroom suite, richly appointed with burl wood details and an opulent dual master bathroom. Additional features include a professional stainless steel kitchen designed by the Porsche Design Group, five bedrooms in the main villa, and two more in the detached gate house (which also has its own living room), a large screening room with a full-sized bar, billiards table, motor court, gym, Koi pond, motor court and a private outdoor swimming pool with a 12-person spa. Stunning any time of the day or night, The Fortress is truly an unparalleled architectural trophy.

This incredible mansion can be rented with prices starting at $3,500/per night, from here.

Grand View Drive Residence in the Hollywood Hills

Grand View Drive Residence is perched high in the Hollywood Hills, California, designed by Whipple Russell Architects. This was a challenging remodel project, controlled by the long and narrow lot and existing walls of the old house. The residence is contemporary meets modern; a three-story ship with roof deck on top. The client, a successful model, required living space that worked for entertaining as well as providing a quiet retreat for guests. All was accomplished, keeping in mind, shape, usability, light, and of course, the views.

The open-plan house is oriented on the north/south axis, with an angled ‘slice’ taken out of the view-side of the home, drawing your eye towards the ocean and the setting sun. As it sits on the top of the hill and there are no homes immediately surrounding, it really is a unique point of view in the hills. A centrally located “glass box” switchback staircase was designed for egress from the first floor all the way up through the levels of the home, becoming a very functional piece of art.

Modern loft perched atop a rocky seaside cliff

Perched atop a rocky seaside peninsula in Los Angeles, California, this loft renovation is an efficient response to the problem of limited space with simplicity and restraint being the guiding principles of the design solution. Designed by Horst Architects, the clients wished for a design which would accommodate office work by day and intimate social and familial gatherings by night. The interior spaces have been completely reconfigured into an open plan evolving around a double height entry volume containing the principal stairway. Sliding partitions and fabric behind frameless glass have replaced traditional means of enclosure and spatial transition.

A sculptural interplay of material, light and form define spaces, which are intimate and communal, sheltering yet expansive. Indoor and outdoor living is integrated by frameless, bi-folding doors. Windows are positioned to embrace the view of the harbor, while second skin systems such as wood shutters mediate the late afternoon sun and provide privacy. The changing play of light on surfaces, the breezes that move through and around the structure, the touch and smell of walls and gardens, the play of colors, the sound of spaces all play a part in the reception of architecture as it is lived in, and are important determinants in our well-being.

Simple and modern hanging light fixtures beautify the staircase.

Horst believes in keeping an open space open to nature. Here is the beautiful Southern California Newport Harbor.

Modern and gorgeous back stone wall.

We see here how form meets function with the bath tub and sink.

Photos: Courtesy of Horst Architects

Chic DIY-inspired loft home in Los Angeles

Today we are bringing you something a little different from our usual posts here on 1 Kindesign. After scouring the internet for interesting and unique finds we fell on this unique Los Angeles home that is chalk full of DIY-inspired design that is so full of life. It is very inspiring and original and we enjoyed it so much that we wanted to share it with you! Here is some background information from the owner himself, Adam Pogue, who also has a fun instagram page entitled mrpoguemahone.

“I moved to Downtown LA three years ago and have never met my landlord. I responded to a craigslist ad that had been posted for a while. He gave me the code to the lock box and I would come here at different times of day, or night, and just hang out. I moved from a duplex in Boyle Heights that was kind of classic LA. It had an original Batchelder tile fireplace and built-ins and pocket doors, which were amazing, but I felt like I needed to respect those details and create space around them. I ended up wanting a space that wasn’t so specific, so I loaded my Scion Xb and headed over the bridge.

The space has gone through several transformations in the last few years. For a time, I had an IKEA bookshelf separating the “bedroom” from the rest of the space. I replaced that with curtain panels that I sewed together and dip-dyed. They’re not a solid separation, but they create an intimate space that feels separate.

I also created the rolling ottoman and benches for the TV and under the windows. The ottoman is upholstered in dyed black canvas and has a washable quilted top (I have two cats). The benches are 10′ x 12′ dark stained Doug fir on plumbing pipe frames. They used to be stacked with books on the lower level and the TV on top, but I wanted a bench, so I separated them. The wall behind the TV is stucco on masonry. I’m not so comfortable with hanging things in masonry, so my boyfriend (at the time) had painted a beautiful chevron pattern, which I recently re-painted.

I got the couch in an “as-is” section of a local shop like 10 years ago for $150. It’s huge and comfortable and I like the shape of it, so when it needed an update (and re-upholstering was too pricey) I ended up patch-working over the original upholstery. It took me a year of random hours with scrap fabric and spare time to cover most of the visible surfaces. I recently started re-covering the re-covering.

I also ended up painting the credenza and replaced the legs with wheels so I can easily roll it away for projects, or gatherings, that require more space. I originally made the hanging above the bed as a knotted fleece rug and the sconces on either side are upside-down plant pots with rope-wrapped wiring.

I found the glass coffee table and my workspace shelving at St. Vincent de Paul’s (amazing thrift store) for $85 altogether. The desk and the bench (between the “bedroom”) I got at a vintage shop, and used The Brick House refinishing method. And the plants! Some I’ve had for years, but most are from clippings. The stacked plants in the living room are attached to a drainpipe from the roof through the apartment

As for the rest, I try to choose things I love. I generally enjoy old, handmade and well-designed pieces. I set aside spaces for things that are sentimental. Kind of shrines in a way.”

Please enjoy the tour and don’t forget to leave us your thoughts about this unique home at the bottom of the post! If you have a home that you just remodeled or that you feel is very unique in design and you would to share with us, please contact us here.

Photos: Old Brand New Blog

Contemporary Hollywood Hills Residence

Griffin Enright Architects choreographed a series of simple moves that brought space, light, and architectural interest to this ordinary Hollywood Hills, California home. Located on a steep hilltop in a densely populated urban neighborhood above Sunset Boulevard, overlooking Hollywood and out to the Pacific Ocean, this 2,000 square foot residence experienced a complete transformation. Here is a description of the project from the architects, “by removing only four interior walls at the ground floor, relocating a stair, and adding 2 rooms stacked on top of each other; we extended the interiors and created an open living space. Additionally, natural light and views were enhanced to maximize the apparent volume of space, blurring the relationship between interior and exterior and connecting the front and rear yards.”

An existing stair was relocated from the center of the house to the area of the new two-storey addition, allowing new visual connections among living, dining, kitchen and the library spaces on the ground floor. The stair ascends a half-flight through the stepped-up library to a landing connected to the backyard, and then switches back to arrive at an upper, sky-lit landing at the bedrooms above. The stair becomes a new central element connecting the stepped spatial volumes of the residence to the site, while simultaneously acting as an internal vertical courtyard that brings natural light and ventilation into the open center of the house. The vertical movement of the residence culminates at the roof via a submarine-like ladder through a skylight to provide the owner with a secret rooftop deck where views of Hollywood and the Pacific Ocean beyond are afforded.

The library is stepped up from the living area and into the hillside and it contains an eye-level, corner window that is at the ground level of the backyard and provides a new visual extension to the rear of the site. An elegant palette of minimal, black and white materials serves to enhance the illusion of open and expansive space. The library is a room within a room — an effect that is enhanced by a material inversion; the living room has ebony, fired oak floors and a white ceiling, while the stepped up library has a white epoxy resin floor with an ebony oak ceiling. The contrasting palette creates an interlocking condition which yields and apparent expansion of the space.”

Spanish Revival home gets an exquisite facelift

This gorgeous estate sits on almost half an acre in one of Los Angeles, California’s premiere neighborhoods. This Spanish revival home was decorated by premier home staging expert Meridith Baer. In staging this Southern California house for sale, Meridith and her team kept the decorations simple, clean and elegant. They utilized lots of white upholstered chairs and sofas, dark wood detailing on furniture and neutral accessories like pillows and throws. Meridith left off window coverings to take advantage of the wonderful windows and natural light, making the space bright and inviting to prospective buyers. All of these decor elements were combined not to make a bold interior design statement per se but to make the home an upscale, tasteful, stylish and livable space, a place that possible buyers could imagine as their own. Well, whatever Meridith and team did worked, the home sold for over $9 million! Here are some details on this property: almost 11,000 square feet, 7 bedrooms, 8 baths, 5 fireplaces, 2 family rooms, media room, library, office, pool, canyon views and a 4 car garage.

Living room features a grand fireplace. A jute rug, two white sofas and a large tufted ottoman define this inviting space.