No 03
Music Chamber
Palos Verdes Estates
September 2020
Early on in this project Beatriz had the good fortune to hear the homeowner, a talented classical violinist play Vivaldi’s “La Folia”. The composition, with its simple yet layered melody, originally emerged in 15th-century Portugal and its name translates to ‘madness’ in Italian. There couldn’t have been a more captivating creative starting point.
Situated on top of a picturesque hill overlooking the ocean in Palos Verdes Estates, the existing 1970s home was a jumble of personalities, having undergone piecemeal renovation work prior to the new owners purchasing the property. The client’s diverse tastes also spanned Mediterranean, Scandinavian, and Japanese influences. We rearranged the madness, bringing cohesion while harmonizing new ideas with old influences, that would bring personal meaning to the family.
The music room on the lower level also serves as a library, with a custom bookcase wrapping around a concert-size mahogany grand piano.
Kevin & Amy, owners“For us, the highlight of Beatriz’s design and approach wasn’t only about making things functional and aesthetically pleasing, but reaching for something deeper, creating an energy and ambiance that truly affects our sense of wellbeing and quality of life.”
A coat closet was converted into a serene powder room with a lightwell. Subtle tonal and textural variations in the limewashed walls are accentuated by moving shadows throughout the day.
Skylights were strategically placed to infuse the home with diffused natural light. The series of graceful arches were inspired by Italian surrealist artist, Giorgio de Chirico.
The warm tones of the oak kitchen unit compliment the owner’s collection of Japanese and Chinese earthenware and ceramics.
A violinist's well composed home
The bones of the property were good and after removing the false popcorn ceilings, we discovered voluminous original features to shape a series of graceful Roman arches. We also designed a barrel ceiling above the stairway, which draws the eye towards a delicate orb light resting at the end. Strategically placed skylights infuse the home with natural light, creating a tranquil atmosphere, while minimalist sculptural light fixtures suspend in the air, akin to the way notes float about a music sheet.
A 1970s lava rock fireplace wall dividing the living room and the kitchen was removed and replaced with a grand arch connecting the two living spaces in a soft, yet architecturally striking manner. The mismatched aluminum sliding windows were corrected in design and proportions throughout, to return to a coherent Spanish ranch style.
The design of the kitchen drew inspiration from 17th-century European paintings of ordinary bucolic life, warming the room with bright rust and saturated blue green hues. We balanced these rustic and historic notes with the neatness of Japanese lines, artisan craftsmanship and Scandinavian minimalism. The solid oak kitchen unit was insprired by a chef’s prep station, with drawers and open shelving below.
For the music room and library, a color palette and layout was selected to inspire and support the practice of rehearsing, composing and recording music. The musical chairs are perfect for an intimate practice session by a group of musicians.
Photography by Laure Joliet
