A Delightful Departure

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In a sea of neutral interiors, Christine Markatos Design delivers a sensational new home for a family in Santa Monica

The entry features Meiro in Malachite wallpaper by Walter G Textiles, a chest found on Chairish and the mirror is by Celerie Kemble. Photography by Monica Wang.

“Each project is approached as a puzzle; envisioned through selections that are appropriate for the architectural style of the home and a bespoke design that best reflects our clients’ point of view and lifestyle. As each project develops, I find the aesthetic takes on a life of its own and so my job is to direct and ultimately edit it,” says Santa Monica-based designer Christine Markatos who is known for curating colorful, layered interiors.

In one corner of the living room, the wet bar is covered in Mottled Square 126 tile from Balenium, a pair of swivel custom chairs are covered in Maresca Oxford Dot in Cornflower and the wallpaper is Regatta Raffia from Thibaut. Photography by Monica Wang.
In the other corner, a pair of flushmounts from Coleen and Co highlight drapes made out of Canyon in Navy by CW Stockwell. Photography by Monica Wang.

Recently, she and her team put their signature spin on this English Country-style house built in the 1940s, for a family she met through her daughter’s elementary school. Originally 3,200 square feet, the family added an additional thousand square feet, creating an addition to the second floor. “The clients wanted a comfortable house for their family of five, which includes their three teenage girls,” Markatos recalls. “They love to host cocktail and dinner parties so requested multiple entertainment spaces inside and out.”

Color abounds in the dining room with Honshu Dynasty wallpaper from Thibaut and the rug is the Kiwah sisal in Indigo from Alt for Living. Photography by Monica Wang.
In the powder room, the Roadster Low Profile Three Hole Wall Mounted Lavatory Faucet is from Waterworks the Sauvage Azure wallpaper is by Zak + Fox. Photography by Monica Wang.
The Afton Large Lantern custom colored chandelier from Visual Comfort hangs over a set of Greely Counter Stools in White Oak from McGee. Photography by Monica Wang.

Aside from creating a more modern floor plan, the goal was to douse the home in color. “The husband loves to cook so was very involved in the development of the kitchen design and the wife wanted fun, wow moments to be achieved through saturated color and pattern throughout the home,” she notes. “The wife requested jewel tones and bold patterning mixed with transitional furnishings and much-loved family heirlooms.”

The breakfast nook features the Greer round table from Worlds Away. Photography by Monica Wang.
Pajama Road to Indore in Indigo 12 by Nine Muses covers the mudroom bench. Photography by Monica Wang.
Outdoor furniture from Harbour adds comfort in the backyard. Photography by Monica Wang.
The family room features a custom sectional upholstered in Fermoie Cloud, the rug is Blue & White Striped wool Kilim from Jamal’s. Photography by Monica Wang.
The blue pool house interiors feature a rug from Madeleine Weinrib, floor tile from Mirth Studio and sconces from School House. Photography by Monica Wang.

Markatos and the team worked with Twichell Studio architecture to bring the husband’s slightly more modern vision to life while delivering traditional touches for the wife. A metal-seamed roof, large steel windows and doors mixed with a sculptural staircase were installed to add the modern enhancements. “Our directive was to bridge the two aesthetics,” Markatos says. “The clients also wanted their three teenage daughters to have their own hang space, as well as separate bedrooms which was achieved through layout changes and an addition on the second floor.”

The primary bedroom shade is made out of Spring Garden by Galbraith & Paul, the bed is from Bassman Blaine and the art is a lithograph by Polly Apfelbaum. Photography by Monica Wang.
The primary bathroom features fixtures by Waterworks, the sconces are by Visual Comfort.
Photography by Monica Wang.
The dreamy tub is illuminated by a Visual Comfort flush mount. Photography by Monica Wang.

The finished result is an expansive family home full of character and charm. Markatos recalls during the final walk through, “We did a full reveal walk through for the family and they were thrilled with the result. There were even a few tears of joy!”

The cozy reading nook is adorned with Christopher Farr’s Sandy Lane Blue and a Visual Comfort sconce. Photography by Monica Wang.
The guest bedroom features the Side Stepped Harmony Sky wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries, the roman shade is Lulie Wallace by Emma Sage. Photography by Monica Wang.
The guest bedroom walls are covered in Ferrick Mason wallpaper.
Photography by Monica Wang.