Making waves

VENCILL SANCHEZ

green to deep turquoise.

As in the restaurant, the lounge’s window tables are first-come, first-served, but guests can also take in the view from one of the velvety swivel chairs at the wave-shaped bar, which Studio UNLTD accented with a so t clad in ribbed white oak. Completing the convivial scene are innovative craft cocktails, like a kelp martini and a wagyu-infused old fashioned, and seafoodforward small plates whipped up by Executive Chef Mike Minor.

A

stretch of coast at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, the Marine Room restaurant has long been a favorite spot to enjoy the seaside panorama, particularly when high tides bring waves crashing against the west-facing windows. The venerable eatery, which opened in 1941, has undergone a major refresh by Los Angeles-based Studio UNLTD that includes an expanded bar area and lounge.

The hospitality design firm behind such restaurants as Callie in San Diego’s East Village and Bar Moruno and Otium in L.A. was given just two weeks to update the restaurant and transform what was once part of the dining room into the more informal Lounge at the Marine Room. Reflecting its waterfront location, the 30-seat space features curving banquettes upholstered in a bone-colored chenille flecked with gold and iridescent mosaic-topped cocktail tables by Ornella Pisano of Ercole Home that resemble abalone shells. Throughout the space, blond wood flooring is paired with a new swirl-patterned carpet in shades ranging from seafoam

“We’re excited to o er our guests an exclusive experience to match our incomparable views of La Jolla cove and shores,” Minor said. “It’s all about luxury and indulgence in an atmosphere that’s refined but with a vibe that’s more relaxed than diners have known in the past.” marineroom.com ■

WORDS: KARINE MONIÉ | IMAGES: YOSHIHIRO MAKINO

A COUPLE OF BRITISH TRANSPLANTS FELL IN LOVE WITH A MODERNIST HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF GRIFFITH PARK, MAKING IT THEIR OWN WITH SCULPTURAL INTERIORS AND INVITING OUTDOOR HANGOUT SPACES oth originally from the U.K., James Williams and Jonno Burden now call California home. After a move from San Francisco to Hollywood Hills, they found this architectural masterpiece after visiting 50 different properties. (Yes, you read that correctly.)

“As a Brit, sunshine is almost all you need, but the indoor-outdoor nature of our home really brings us joy. From the poolside cabin to the supersized dining table where we can—and do— squeeze as many friends as possible around for dinners,” says Burden, who is a tech executive.

Nestled into the woodland of Beachwood Canyon and located directly below the Hollywood sign, the modernist villa originally designed by Jay Vanos from Vanos Architects was once owned by celebrity photographer Tony Duran and most recently pop star Halsey.

The soft color palette in the home creates a relaxing atmosphere

“AS A BRIT, SUNSHINE IS ALMOST ALL YOU NEED, BUT THE INDOOR-OUTDOOR NATURE OF OUR HOME REALLY BRINGS US JOY. FROM THE POOLSIDE CABIN TO THE SUPERSIZED DINING TABLE WHERE WE CAN—AND DO—SQUEEZE AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE AROUND FOR DINNERS,” SAYS BURDEN

The couple, who are in their 30s, love to entertain friends in the home’s lush green surroundings, and their location also gives them close proximity to L.A.’s restaurants and culture. “This house has such a history with those that love to celebrate, so why not lean in—which is where our little club ‘Tiempos’ came from,” says Williams.

With its steep amphitheater shape, the lot occupies a tight interior corner of the street, providing privacy to the inhabitants. The three-bedroom, V-shaped home comprises two wings connected by a two-level bridge.

“The slope of the site allowed us to create two exterior yard areas: the upper one in the shape of a small amphitheater and the lower one, 12 feet below, shaped as its mirror,” describes Williams. “The home is a study in complex geometry and its extension. The focus is a seven-sided flaring volume whose walls extend into the adjacent forms, tying them together. This central volume is a prominent component of the entry, kitchen, dining, and living areas.”

Williams and Burden built a cocktail bar, lounge, and club for entertaining accented with pops of color, velvet, marble, and brass to create a vibrant spirit. In the rest of the living spaces, neutral tones prevail to reflect a relaxed atmosphere with treasures in every corner: from a bowl by Arno Declercq and a vessel by Jojo Corväiá to sculptures by Rrres Studio and a vase by Kate Hume, among others.

Williams is the American CEO of ATRA, a furniture brand produced by ATRA Form, a Mexico

City-based, high-end production facility that also houses the architecture and design studio of the founder and creative director, Alexander Díaz Andersson. Many of the furnishings in the home were selected from ATRA’s collections.

“The home construction has a raw wabi-sabi nature to it, with polished concrete floors, granite kitchen counters and being swathed in glass,” says Williams. “The furniture selection materials both complement the clean lines and also contrast with comfort through the use of thick mohair, wool boucle and the travertine and Shou Sugi Ban dining table.”

A mix of American and Mexican design characterizes the interiors of what the couple describes as “a post-modern spaceship of a villa [that has] landed in the heart of the canyon.”

After years in the relative gloom of England, the couple never take the SoCal sun for granted. “The dining area is completely outdoors,” says Williams. “It’s an indulgence of being California transplants.” ■

KITCHEN

Artwork: ceramic vessel vase - Jojo Corväiá (Berlin, Germany)

Furniture: redo bar stools - ATRA (Juárez, CDMX, Mexico)

LIVING ROOM

Accessories: “rock” vase - Kate Hume (katehume. com)

Artwork: triptych, quadriptych by Andres

Diaz Andersson - ATRA (Juárez, CDMX, Mexico)

Furniture: Beluga curved sofa and mini chairs, teardrop co ee table and side tableATRA (Juárez, CDMX, Mexico)

Rug - Mehraban (Los Angeles, CA)

LOUNGE AREA

Artwork: stoneware vessel - Je rey Loura (New York, NY)

Furniture: Ala chair,

Nerthus sofa, travertine cubes - ATRA (Juárez, CDMX, Mexico)

MAIN BATHROOM

Accessories: small, large nose pitchers by Aldo Bakker - Thomas Eych (Easternijtsjerk, Netherlands)

Artwork: goblet bowl - Arno Declercq (Zaventem, Belgium)

Furniture: George stool - Bogus Studio (Juárez, CDMX, Mexico)

The exterior areas allow the couple and their friends to enjoy the sunny weather of Los Angeles