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.”

House on a bluff with stunning ocean views

House on a Bluff has been designed by architecture firm Hutchison & Maul situated in Seattle, Washington. This stunning 6,000 square foot house has been carefully planned and sited to create five outdoor “rooms” with distinct characteristics: a grassed front entry yard, a partially covered private sunning patio, a high-bank view lawn (perfect for croquet), and two upper decks.

Magnificent South African home breathes new life

Moss Oaklands Residence is a stunning property in Cape Town, South Africa designed by studio Nico Van Der Meulen Architects. The scope of the project was to remodel a 1950s residence, breathing new life back into the home and giving it more of an urban feel. Here is a brief description of the project from the architects, “Alterations and additions were made to the original building to allow for four bedrooms and large entertaining areas. The single-storey building allows for large double volume spaces and flat roofs have been used in the alteration to keep vertical expansion in mind for the client’s future. In keeping with the owner’s brief to have a home with an urban and open feel, the interior and exterior entertaining areas have been blurred by sliding stacking doors that open up the whole facade. By using a neutral palette, the company was able to create a warm environment by bringing in touches of color through rich and bold accessories and furnishings.” What do you think of this fabulous South African home?

Beverly Hills residence features sexy-chic design

This gorgeous home is perched high above a quiet tree-laden street in Beverly Hills, California. The surrounding tall and dramatic greenery embody it with a sense of natural privacy. Upon entrance to this 5,868 square foot residence, one will be amazed by the attention to detail, with no expense was spared in its making. Gleaming porcelain tile and Brazilian walnut floors on the main level lead down to the living room featuring a blazing 24-foot concrete fireplace and on the opposite side, a bar made of Walnut Burl ideal for entertaining. Pocketed Fleetwood doors create an amazing indoor/outdoor flow throughout, opening up to the entertainment deck crafted with the finest Ipe Brazilian hardwood.

This smart and energy-efficient four bedroom, four and-a-half bathroom home boasts recessed lighting compliments of a Lutron system, as well as a Nuvo audio system throughout. Main level additionally features the gorgeous master suite made with ebony Macassar wood, amazing spa tub and Porcelanosa shower in master bath; as well as dining room, additional bedroom, and kitchen. Gourmet Gagganeau kitchen is fitted with Carrara counter tops, SubZero freezer, Fisher Paykel dishwasher, and Blum stainless steel hardware. Ascend upstairs, home to a floating glass media loft/office/family room, and two additional en suite bedrooms/bathrooms. Outside, enjoy complete privacy while relaxing poolside and take in all the wonders of this sexy and chic home with its contemporary vibe and unparalleled qualities.

This fabulous architectural masterpiece is listed for sale at $6,995,000, from here.

Photos: Nick Springett

Playful and modern residence in Santa Monica

The King Residence is a single family property that defies every notion of the modern contemporary home, located in the Sunset Park section of Santa Monica, California designed by John Friedman Alice Kimm Architect. The home sits on a gentle slope on a wedge-shaped corner lot with a long side bordering a moderately busy street and a short side on a quite side street. The obvious choice would have been to orient the home to face the side street and to enclose the backyard with a tall fence. The architects proposed to orient the L-shaped 4,300 square foot (316 square meters) home to face the busier street, with the glass fronted living area and upstairs bedrooms overlooking directly onto a busy neighborhood intersection.

The home’s exterior is visually distinctive, intended to evoke light glistening off the ocean waves. With a fresh and lively approach, dappled in a chartreuse-and-white pattern, the painted siding is accented with vertical ipe screening, and a square reflecting pool is set flush into the concrete patio. The house easily transitions from indoors to out through a series of patios and a spacious terrace. The home is cooled by cross ventilation from the natural ocean breezes. The interiors feature natural materials, with an open floor plan connecting the living room with the kitchen. The living room wall features a two-sided divider with built-in cabinetry which separates the space from the office; a sliding panel can be drawn across for added privacy. Windows, glass walls and skylights are at every turn, bringing in plenty of natural light and fabulous views.

Visit the website of John Friedman Alice Kimm Architect here.

Exceptional Bohemian style loft in Chelsea

This expansive loft has been exceptionally designed to preserve architectural authenticity, located in the heart of the gallery district in Chelsea, New York. Situated in an historic former candy factory, this 3,367 square foot loft has exposed brick walls, restored hardwood floors, cast iron columns, and new industrial over-sized windows. The open living area is perfect for entertaining, with 10.5 foot ceilings and captivating light. The home offers a fully equipped kitchen, three bedrooms, two and half spa-like baths, with radiant heat floors.

This exquisite property is listed for $4,475,000 from here.

Dwelling connected with nature on Scotland Island

With great attention to detail, this beautifully appointed and unique home on Scotland Island, New South Wales, Australia has been designed by its architect owners, Walknorth Architects. Built on a sunny and sheltered block, the home features water views through tall spotted gums into Elvina Bay and the Ku-ring-gai National Park. The home adjoins a bush reserve, idyllically located in a tranquil and private bush setting which creates a peaceful ambiance and provides a wide sense of space.

The property was extensively built from red ironbark, blackbutt and spotted gum timbers in a two storey solar passive design capturing the sun throughout the day yet excluding the summer heat with the use of expansive roof overhangs. The open plan upper level with high and angled ceilings completely opens via wide sliding glass and timber doors creating an extension of space from the living room to a huge entertaining deck and a sandstone terrace. The galley style kitchen and dining room are also located here along with a wood burning stove and a covered deck which is a great place to relax in a hammock to enjoy the view.

Adjoining the upper deck is the spacious main bedroom with a walk in robe and the main and a streamline bathroom with double shower and bath with both rooms completely opening out to the beauty and seclusion of the bush. The lower level consists of a second bedroom and an open studio or third bedroom which flows onto a lower terrace featuring a sandstone seat creating an inspiring space to have as a home office. The second bathroom and laundry are also located on this level.

This gorgeous property is currently listed at $720,000 from here.

Mallorca country house with modern elements

The sound of water and the aromas emanating from the garden are combined to create a peaceful environment on this sprawling rustic country estate designed by architect Antoni Esteva in Mallorca, Spain. Located on the edge of the house is a small courtyard, comprising of a profuse garden which enhances the feeling of spaciousness, luminosity and sobriety that breathes throughout the interior. The unity of materials and Balearic native architecture is a constant throughout the home, which is divided into three levels due to the slope of the ground. The exterior facade is comprised of masonry, limestone and lime mortar. The interior spaces are characterized by a merger of modern and rural simplicity.

In line with Mediterranean architecture, the walls and ceilings appear bleached while the north pine wood ceiling beams stand out. The soft and porous stone flooring, of intense shades of ochre, provides contrast to the white walls, but, above all, warmth, so much that, according to Antoni Esteva, “allows walking barefoot in any time of the year.” There are few doors in the home, which connects the living environments into a spacious and airy floor plan.

Located in the same space, the hallway, dining room, living room and kitchen are an example of this visual continuity, which is enhanced by the use of the same scale in the upholstery and the horizontal row of planks of wood that decorates the ceiling in these four rooms. There are, however small sections of steps, or half walls which allows each space to retain its own autonomy. This same philosophy is repeated in the area where there are private units, which, located at a higher level, have balconies from where there are not only the landscape, but also the attractive verandas and the pool area. Via

Sumptuous Swedish loft with fascinating decor

This incredible apartment home situated in Östermalm, a  large district in central Stockholm, Sweden, was discovered on Langerlings. With brilliant light and great city views lays this exclusive loft with an open floor plan. This 1,668 square foot (155 square meters) home is a perfect family home, featuring a kitchen, dining room and living room with a large terrace located in the center core. The kitchen boasts Italian appliances from Gaggenau and a dining area with space for 8-10 people. A beautiful masonry fireplace can be seen from both the kitchen and living room. There are three bedrooms and two exclusive bathrooms. One has a steam shower and bathtub, the other with shower. One of the bedrooms with attached bathrooms is located on the upper floor as a separate small suite with large walk-in closet. Outside of that, there is also a small workroom.

Stylish apartment with bursts of color in Stockholm

This incredibly charming apartment in Sadermalm, a district in central Stockholm, Sweden features two bedrooms and a shared bathroom, a living room, kitchen and a beautiful balcony. Located in a building built back in 1884, the small yet spacious feeling apartment of 645 square feet (60 square meters) has been remodeled to be cozy and inviting for its homeowners. The well-appointed apartment has an open floor plan between the kitchen and living room making it perfect for socializing. The light flooded home is well decorated with bursts of color throughout. Via