Seascapers

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Tim Clarke Design curates a contemporary beach home for a pair of cool empty nesters

A rug by Marc Phillips creates vibrancy in the media room.
Photos by Noah Webb. 

“I like houses that are easy to live in— spaces that spread seamlessly between indoors and out, that remind us of the best vacation and bring warmth and a slower pace to our everyday life,” says designer Tim Clarke on how he and his team approach each project.

The Daft Punk record console is both artistic and functional.
Photos by Noah Webb. 
A custom graffiti mural is found in the elevator. Photos by Noah Webb.

This philosophy was applied when realizing a Hermosa Beach home for an empty nester couple that recently returned to the coast. The husband who works in commercial real estate and owns a tequila company, wanted a home that he and his wife could use for both entertaining and relaxing. “We were looking to create a party house that could host a big group or just two, that also pushed the boundaries of normal beach house design and stood out as new, modern and dynamic,” notes Clarke.

The stairwell pendant is by Ladies and Gentlemen Studio.
Photos by Noah Webb 
The custom kitchen is by Boffi.
Photos by Noah Webb.

Clarke met the client through architect Michael Lee and builder Dave Baldwin of Baldwin Construction during the schematic design phase, and quickly got to work on the development of the 4,445-square-foot, ground-up project. “We are frequent collaborators on ground up projects in the South Bay,” notes the designer. “We share a common approach and treat every project as though it is the first with an entirely new set of eyes based on client, location and architectural style.”

Photos by Noah Webb.
The dining table is by Troscan, found at Thomas Lavin.
Photos by Noah Webb. 

The client envisioned a new take on the combination of steel, brick and siding. “We sourced brick from Italy, a super wide shiplap siding, and steel windows with a somewhat urban appearance,” says Clarke. “A central courtyard with a pool at the bottom spans vertically the entire three stories of the space, and brings light and air to all the floors.”

Pendants in the guest room are by Clate Grunden.
Photos by Noah Webb.
A Marc Phillips rug in the master bedroom adds warmth.
Photos by Noah Webb.
Apparatus Studio pendants hang inside the custom bed. Photos by Noah Webb.

Like the finishes, all new furnishings and fabrics were purchased to complete the design of the home. The clients did however own a very large Natalie Arnoldi Wave painting (Chuck Arnoldi’s daughter), that was in need of a very special location. “Much of our work involves lots of glass and views, so a wall needed to be created to hang this large work. It now lives on the only wall of the dining room, and is visible from both the main floor and the floor above,” says the designer. “You are able to truly appreciate this painting, as you can view it not only from the bottom, but the middle and top as well.”

Custom cabinets dance down the master suite hallway. Photos by Noah Webb.
Photos by Noah Webb.

During the big reveal, the clients were thrilled with their new dream home and even more excited for the thoughtful details discovered throughout. Clarke notes, “The husband found an amazing audio system cabinet designed by the creative director of Daft Punk that he could now use to play his growing collection of vinyl. He said ‘You remembered! All I wanted was a record player!’ This retro-futuristic piece has become the center of fun in the beach room. Not only does it serve a purpose, but it is an amazing piece of art as well.”