Visit an Open and Airy Southern California Home With Ocean Views
In this video, see how a couple worked with an architect found on Houzz to build a stylish custom home fit for the beach
Mitchell Parker
11 July 2021
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
Ileana Frometa Grillo was 12 years old when she fell in love with Southern California during a vacation from her hometown of Caracas, Venezuela. “Somehow I knew I was going to be here,” says Grillo. Years later, she made that dream a reality when she and husband Tim Kippen found a do-up property near Laguna Beach that fit their budget and allowed them to create a personalised home from scratch.
For help developing the difficult wedge-shaped site into a spacious, open home with an art studio for Grillo and a rental unit to supplement the couple’s income, they searched Houzz for architects in their area. They kept coming back to the work of Anders Lasater, eventually hiring him to design a home that imitates the tropical, open feel of spaces in Venezuela. The new home features lots of windows oriented to the ocean, durable materials that hold up to beach life and pops of blue that reflect the sea.
For help developing the difficult wedge-shaped site into a spacious, open home with an art studio for Grillo and a rental unit to supplement the couple’s income, they searched Houzz for architects in their area. They kept coming back to the work of Anders Lasater, eventually hiring him to design a home that imitates the tropical, open feel of spaces in Venezuela. The new home features lots of windows oriented to the ocean, durable materials that hold up to beach life and pops of blue that reflect the sea.
Photos by Chad Mellon
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Ileana Frometa Grillo and Tim Kippen, plus their three Staffordshire bull terriers, Manny, Rosa and Miles
Location: The Fisherman’s Cove area of Laguna Beach, California, USA
Size: 269 square metres; three bedrooms, three bathrooms, plus an art studio. The duplex also has a rental unit that’s 121 square metres with two bedrooms and two bathrooms
Architect: Anders Lasater
Builder: J. Kramer Corp
Interior designer: Gregory Rayes
Watch now: Go inside this contemporary beachside home on Houzz TV
The previous structure on the property was listed as a commercial space, a designation left over from the 1950s. It once contained a street-level pilates studio with two apartments above. The structure was in bad shape, and the city wanted to retire the commercial variance for the lot, so the couple and Lasater decided to demolish the structure and start fresh with a duplex design that includes a home for the couple and a rental unit.
Each unit has a two-car garage. The ground-floor rental unit on the left has its own entrance, visible on the side of the building. Grillo and Kippen’s home, on the right, features an art studio on the ground floor and three bedrooms and three bathrooms on the second floor.
Stucco in two colours forms the ground-floor exterior at the front. Cumaru, a Brazilian hardwood, clads the top level.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Ileana Frometa Grillo and Tim Kippen, plus their three Staffordshire bull terriers, Manny, Rosa and Miles
Location: The Fisherman’s Cove area of Laguna Beach, California, USA
Size: 269 square metres; three bedrooms, three bathrooms, plus an art studio. The duplex also has a rental unit that’s 121 square metres with two bedrooms and two bathrooms
Architect: Anders Lasater
Builder: J. Kramer Corp
Interior designer: Gregory Rayes
Watch now: Go inside this contemporary beachside home on Houzz TV
The previous structure on the property was listed as a commercial space, a designation left over from the 1950s. It once contained a street-level pilates studio with two apartments above. The structure was in bad shape, and the city wanted to retire the commercial variance for the lot, so the couple and Lasater decided to demolish the structure and start fresh with a duplex design that includes a home for the couple and a rental unit.
Each unit has a two-car garage. The ground-floor rental unit on the left has its own entrance, visible on the side of the building. Grillo and Kippen’s home, on the right, features an art studio on the ground floor and three bedrooms and three bathrooms on the second floor.
Stucco in two colours forms the ground-floor exterior at the front. Cumaru, a Brazilian hardwood, clads the top level.
The framing of the home was the first of its kind in Laguna Beach. The post-and-beam frame is made of prefabricated steel pieces that are delivered to the site and then assembled by a team. Sprayed-in foam and Roxul, a stone-wool product, were used for insulation.
The second-floor kitchen features custom-made bamboo cabinets in two tones: a rich custom stain for some, a custom blue paint for the others. “The blue is meant to be a counterpart to the ocean seen through the windows on the other side of the room,” Grillo says.
The white paint used for the walls in the ocean side of the home has blue undertones, while the white paint used in the guest rooms, in the street- and tree-facing side of the home, has green undertones.
The white paint used for the walls in the ocean side of the home has blue undertones, while the white paint used in the guest rooms, in the street- and tree-facing side of the home, has green undertones.
Patterned Spanish-style porcelain tiles forms the kitchen splashbck. The sink contains removable trays and other elements that help with prep. A second sink sits on the rear wall.
Grillo says she worked closely with designer Gregory Rayes on the layout. Rayes observed Grillo’s cooking routines and the two eventually determined that locating the cooktop in the island bench next to the workstation sink was the best setup. “I usually prepare everything at the sink and then get it immediately cooking at the cooktop, so this made the most sense,” says Grillo. “Plus I like to face people when cooking and I like to enjoy the view of the ocean.”
The island bench features a full-body porcelain marble-look countertop with a waterfall edge. A dining area with a custom-made table sits off one end of the island. And the kitchen space flows into a small living room before extending to an outdoor deck. Skylights bring more light into the interiors.
Large-format porcelain floor tiles mimic the look of concrete. The door on the left leads to the main bedroom.
Watch now: Take a virtual tour of this California home
The island bench features a full-body porcelain marble-look countertop with a waterfall edge. A dining area with a custom-made table sits off one end of the island. And the kitchen space flows into a small living room before extending to an outdoor deck. Skylights bring more light into the interiors.
Large-format porcelain floor tiles mimic the look of concrete. The door on the left leads to the main bedroom.
Watch now: Take a virtual tour of this California home
One area of the deck, which also sits off the main bedroom, has a fire feature and outdoor seating, making this the couple’s favourite spot in their new home. Grillo has since hung a hammock from the overhang and can often be found there reading a book. “A hammock is an essential component of any self-respecting Venezuelan, or Latin American for that matter, and I wanted to make sure that we had one on our patio,” she says.
Porcelain tiles float on a mounting system that allows for water to flow through the cracks and into a drainage system.
Porcelain tiles float on a mounting system that allows for water to flow through the cracks and into a drainage system.
An artificial turf section on a patio at the front of the home gives the couple a spot to take their three Staffordshire bull terriers on quick potty breaks between walks. The turf can be hosed off, and the wastewater drains below.
Here, Grillo gives Rosa, left, and Manny a treat.
Here, Grillo gives Rosa, left, and Manny a treat.
In the main bathroom, a mirror hangs in front of a window with ocean views. Wavy porcelain wall tiles mimic the ocean waves. The vanities are bamboo in a custom gray stain. The benchtops are porcelain.
Blue glass tiles in the curbless shower continue the ocean theme. The tub surround is porcelain.
In the main bedroom, a custom blue accent wall faces the ocean. The headboard is custom-made too.
The main bedroom opens to the deck and its spectacular view. “We’re seeing a whale right now,” Grillo says during a phone interview for this article. “We saw a pod of 200 dolphins going by about two months ago. That’s the beauty of being here.”
Watch now: Go inside this home on Houzz TV
More on Houzz
See more fantastic Houzz TV videos here
Watch now: Go inside this home on Houzz TV
More on Houzz
See more fantastic Houzz TV videos here
Related Stories
Houzz Around The World
London Houzz: Tour a Contemporary Loft in an Old Victorian School
Watch and read how a design firm updated this light and airy apartment in an old block with sleek style and warm touches
Full Story
Houzz TV
Tour a Spacious Contemporary Coastal Home in Australia
A designer shares how she created elegant spaces with clean lines, custom details and glass walls that frame ocean views
Full Story
Kitchens
Houzz TV: Tour a Classic Blue-and-White Mosman Kitchen
By Houzz AU
First we published the story, now we offer a video tour of the classic makeover of this dated Sydney kitchen
Full Story
Projects Born on Houzz
Houzz TV: An Elegant London Apartment Makeover in 40 Days!
In this video, a designer found on Houzz gives a peek into a luxe sanctuary created remotely in 40 days
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Tour a Light-filled London Home With a Soothing Coastal Palette
Watch and read how a designer found on Houzz updated a Modernist home with warm finishes and colours that evoke the sea
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Take a Look Inside a Light & Airy Home in White, Wood & Black
Watch and read how a designer created a new home for a couple using wide-open spaces with casual but refined style
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Tour a Victorian Home in the UK, Updated for Modern Life
Watch and read how a major renovation gave a narrow home a more open feel and a fresh, contemporary style
Full Story
Houzz Around The World
Visit a US Interior Designer’s Beautiful Long Beach Island House
Watch and read how Karen Wolf created a relaxing family getaway with a durable coastal style
Full Story
Houzz TV
Peek Inside The Stylish Forever Home of an Empty Nester Couple
See and read how a designer renovated a kitchen and bathroom for US clients seeking to age in place
Full Story
Absolutely Stunning!!
Exquisite thoughtful design......perfect! And I love the gratitude of the homeowner and her artwork!! Thank you for sharing and I hope this family has many beautiful years in their home!
Thanks for your comments @Gram 1954 and @Murtaza Hashwani