“WE WANTED CONTINUIT Y THROUGHOUT. SO V IRTUALLY WHERE VER WE USED COUNTERTOP, IT’S CAMBRIA. WE WANTED IT TO BE HARMONIOUS.”
STEVE HENKE
—BRYAN CRANSTON Upstairs, the master bedroom reflects the sea and sand in a color scheme of celadon, pale taupe, and ivory (all fabrics in the house are natural fibers and blends, selected for their durability). In the master bath, Bryan chose Cambria countertops in sandy Templeton (Desert Collection), as he did for the other upstairs baths. Cambria is also versatile enough to use for entry hall shelves, an upstairs hall cabinet, walk-in bedroom closets, and atop the washer and dryer. “We wanted continuity throughout,” he says, “so virtually wherever we used countertop, it’s Cambria. We wanted it to be harmonious.” In addition, adds architect Turturro, “Cambria is less porous than granite, so it’s going to last longer, and not be replaced or end up in a landfill.” Suddenly, Robin enters and points to the ever-present Pacific, “Dolphin Alert!” Sure enough, four frisky dolphins are playing follow the leader a few hundred feet offshore. “We also see whales on their migration,” she says. When they are not watching marine life, the family kayaks, surfs, and swims. The house is, after all, a vacation and weekend retreat; their primary residence is a far more traditional home in a Los Angeles suburb. There is an irony in all this, however. When Bryan started 3 Palms, Breaking Bad was just beginning, and now, three Emmys and numerous awards later, the house is finished but he is almost too busy to enjoy it. Such are the sacrifices that come with success, although Cranston certainly isn’t complaining. “Walter White is the best role I’ve ever played,” he says. Being cast as CIA Chief Jack O’Donnell in the hostage thriller, Argo, was another stroke of good fortune, to put it mildly. When he saw the actors who had signed on for the picture—John Goodman, Alan Arkin and Victor Garber, in addition to director and star Ben Affleck—“I thought, ‘the sooner I get in there, the better.’”
Good move: the film won the Best Picture Oscar in 2013. In the wake of his current success, Cranston now has his choice of acting projects, but he has no intention of repeating himself. He just completed shooting a bigbudget remake of Godzilla in Vancouver, playing a father and engineer who is wise to a scientific anomaly that indicates…well, let’s just say it’s due out in May 2014. And later this summer, he turns presidential and heads to Boston to appear in the American Repertory Company’s production of All The Way, by Pulitzer Prize-winner Robert Schenkkan. He’ll portray Lyndon Baines Johnson, from his traumatic ascension to the presidency after JFK’s assassination, to his landslide re-election in 1964. “I like the departure and I wanted to be open to whatever resonates with me,” Bryan explains. Clearly, the philosophy of living sustainably—and well— is resonating too, proof positive that eco-friendliness and aesthetics are perfectly compatible. At 57, Cranston is more philosophical now. “Our priorities have adjusted,” he says. “As I get older, I want fewer things in my life, and more experiences. By having this place, we create the opportunity to have those experiences.” Given the way he built his home, and the materials he used, 3 Palms could stand for 100 years. That’s kind of the plan, says Bryan. “I have no intention of replacing virtually anything here,” he says, spreading his arms wide. “This is it.”
THE FOUNDATION OF THE HOME WAS KEPT OPEN TO PROVIDE AMPLE STORAGE FOR THE HOME’S RAINWATER RECLAMATION TANKS AS WELL AS BEACH GEAR LIKE KAYAKS AND SURFBOARDS. DOUBLE DOORS WERE ALSO INSTALLED AT THIS LEVEL TO OFFER EASY ACCESS.
3 PALMS PROJECT CREDITS: PROJECT DESIGNER
JOHN TURTURRO, TURTURRO DESIGN STUDIO ARCHITECT OF RECORD
LARRY GRAVES, ALLIANCE DESIGN GROUP GENERAL CONTRACTOR
BRYAN HENSON, ALLEN ASSOCIATES CIVIL ENGINEER
LAIMA B. REEDER, P.E. PROJECT MARKETING
KNB ASSOCIATES, LLC
C A M B R I A U S A . C O M / S T Y L E
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