Location: Santa Monica, CA
Architect: Howard Backen, Backen & Backen Architecture
Contractor: MG Partners
Photography: Trevor Tondro, as seen in Architectural Digest

 
Gallery:

The space was specifically designed to feature Taslitz’s Let It Go sculpture, bringing outside art inside the house.

Great Room:

A multi-use space incorporates furniture, art, and the outdoors, opening completely to the pool and patio area. Hanging on the wall is Insecurity Kit.

Mixed materials and fabrics create a neutral palette for the art and architecture to shine.
 

A custom-designed sofa anchors the space while the Good Vibes side table, with its negative space, lets the eye continue to the outdoors.

Great Room/Family Room:

Taslitz designed the built-in cabinetry on legs to let more light into the room. To achieve a view with greenery from the glass front door to the outside, she designed a steel box on beams, suspending a tree above the lower level garden. Old Leaf table in bronze juxtaposes an organic earthiness to the clean aesthetic.

Tea Garden:

Taslitz transforms a narrow, six-foot space outdoors to integrate with the great room. She designed teak and marble furniture to create Tea Garden, an intimate dining experience or contemplative place to reflect.

Great Room/Dining Area:

The room is designed to be part of the cooking in the kitchen while listening to the fountain by the pool. Centered in the mix, both casual and functional, the Breadwinner dining table playfully combines natural oak and bronze.

Kitchen:

Tongue and groove oak cabinetry is echoed in a custom-designed bronze hood. Italian marble repeats at the island surround, waterfall, and walls, stretching up to the ceiling to highlight the scale of the architecture. The opening at the sink allows a view to the bar, gallery, and outdoors.

Bar:

A vintage 1960s hanging fixture glows in the glamorous bar. French wire cabinet doors backed by antiqued mirror sit alongside blackened oak and steel floating shelves, to contain a selection of crystal and vintage leather bound books.

Powder Room:

Taslitz designed the built-in sink, shelf, and mirror to seamlessly integrate and create an impressive monolith of gray stone. The blackened bronze and polished gold of Glow Time give the room a moodiness with gentle illumination. The Slick cabinet, seen in the reflection, matches the smoky blue lacquered wood wall.

Primary Bedroom:

By inviting the greenery of the private garden inside and keeping an open layout, the bedroom has a feeling of calm and Zen. Taslitz’s Meant To Be bedside cabinets flank the bespoke oak and shearling platform bed.

Primary Bathroom:

Steel and glass walls, which open to the lush garden on either side, and the slatted wood ceiling continuing from the bedroom, create a peaceful solarium. The built-in vanity that Taslitz designed is multifunctional, with drawers on one side and a bath ledge on the other.

Primary Bathroom/Shower:

Taslitz designed the shower with floating plinths of Bianco Lasa marble to be contained in a glass box, presenting a minimalist aesthetic and allowing the focus to be on the surrounding naturescape.

Primary Bathroom/Bathtub and Exterior Shower Garden

The oak soaking tub, designed by Taslitz, is a spa-like oasis. An outdoor shower resides in the adjacent sculpture garden, which can be accessed through the main shower area.

The mix of textures and materials create interest in the open, airy space. Taslitz incorporated many custom-designed elements, including the brass handles and the oversized, brass-edged mirror and medicine cabinets. The stone sinks and countertop are made from Bianco Lasa marble to coordinate with the shower and vanity.

Pool Patio/Dining:

Extending the living area from the Great Room, the Party In The House dining table and Bring It On chairs create a colorful mix complemented by the Bouganvillea.

Pool:

A comfortable spot to enjoy the pool and patio includes the versatile Trippy side table for a playful perch.

Pool Bathroom:

Mint green and pink pastel express a burst of unexpected color. Taslitz juxtaposed a clean-lined, stone and iron custom vanity with a fanciful vintage mirror.

Upper Stair Landing:

To take in the view of the upper rose and herb garden, Taslitz imagined a floating desk off the staircase. Oak and leather work seamlessly with the neutral bones of the house. Taslitz’s bronze Eleanor Rigby Gets Connected brings whimsy and curve to offset the linear architecture.

Library and Terrace:

Luxurious fabrics, textures and materials in a warm, neutral palette make for an inviting space that opens to the outdoors. A sliding television is cleverly hidden along the door track. Taslitz’s Calm coffee table adds a dash of glimmer and strength to the subtle, sophisticated setting.

Library/Office:
Opposite a built-in workspace sits a storage piece enlivened by Taslitz’s sculpture Exposed, which casts an afternoon shadow on the wall.

Upper Terrace:

Taslitz designed a swinging bed to be tucked into the surrounding greenery, adding Willow branches above to provide shelter from the sun.

Upper Terrace/Dining:

The dining table, chairs and built-in cabinetry are semi-enclosed by a modern pergola, which overlooks the hanging bed and fireside lounge. Tall Ligustrum bushes in custom steel boxes line the entire terrace, offering privacy and beauty.

Upper Terrace/Lounge:

Taslitz designed the blackened steel fire pit to hide the neighboring home as well as offer heat to the lounge area. The Easy Does It coffee table, with its perforated brass and stainless steel, introduces new materials and complements the Goddess side tables that flank the sofa.

Children’s Bunk Bedroom:

Built-in bunk beds in wood and brass feature individual reading lights, trundle beds below and an easy-access staircase. Positioning the custom-designed beds against the walls maximizes the room’s play area.

Children’s Bunk Bedroom Storage Nook:

Playful cubbies and drawers with soft leather pulls are utilized for favorite stories and toys. A cork floor was selected for its durability and texture.