GREAT THE ESCAPE

In Rancho Santa Fe, the cofounders of San Diego-based SD Design Studio have created their dream getaway, combining midcentury California influences with Nordic touches

WORDS: KARINE MONIÉ

IMAGES: SAMANTHA GOH

INTERIOR DESIGN: SD DESIGN STUDIO

SDDESIGNSTUDIO.COM

Sometimes, luck is on your side.

Architect Salomon Daniel and interior designer Dalia Feldman—the husband and wife duo behind SD Design Studio—were on the hunt for a weekend getaway when a realtor friend suggested they take a look at a property. The home was located in the highly soughtafter community The Covenant in Rancho Santa Fe, about 20 miles from San Diego. The previous owners had started a full renovation but gave up a few weeks after the initial demolition.

When the couple went to check it out, they were able to look beyond the debris to see the incredible potential. Perched on a 2.11-acre secluded hilltop, the house boasts 270-degree views and abundant natural light from every room. The original 1960s California ranch-style residence has been transformed with a nod to midcentury modernism as well as Nordic touches. It’s the ideal weekend destination for the couple, their oneyear-old son Abbie, and their boxer Paco.

Daniel and Feldman are originally from Mexico City but relocated to California, where they founded their San Diego studio in 2016. The Rancho Santa Fe home gives them the chance to disconnect from city living and focus on their family. Spread over 5,200 square feet (including the detached guest house), the five-bedroom main home features an open great room with high vaulted ceilings, expansive floor-to-ceiling doors and windows, a cozy wood burning fireplace, and a chef’s kitchen for Daniel, who loves to cook. Downstairs, a second suite features a large deck and an attached en suite casita with its own private entrance.

Neutral tones to keep the spaces clean and crisp

“We wanted this getaway to feel open, airy, comfortable, calm, and relaxing,” says Daniel. The couple opted for a palette of neutral tones alongside white walls and ceilings complemented by touches of warmer tones and slightly cooler grays. “Some hints of black help it all tie together, contrasting with the changing colors of the natural landscape outside and creating a soothing aesthetic,” he says.

They deliberately used neutral tones to keep the spaces clean and crisp with minimal clutter. Natural wood floors, Italian marble slabs in the kitchen, and concrete tile for the fireplace were chosen for the same reason, Daniel says.

“We were adamant about respecting the original midcentury/California ranch vibes, while drawing inspiration from Scandinavian design and making sure both styles could work in harmony,” says Daniel.

Next up: the backyard, which is designed with multiple patios and bench seating for entertaining. Now that the interiors have been transformed, it’s time to remodel the pool and spa. No doubt the project will be as thoughtfully designed as the rest of the remodel. ■

The main bath features a large shower as well as a deep soaking tub

DINING ROOM

Furniture: crescent wishbone dining chair, sideboard, Terra dining tableCrate & Barrel (San Diego, CA); Mistana counter stools - Wayfair.com

Rug: vintage

EXTERIOR DECK

Furniture: Gladom side table - IKEA (San Diego, CA); Miami club chair, Newport cushion sofa and co ee table - Sunset West (Vista, CA)

FAMILY ROOM

Furniture: George Nelson platform bench for Knoll, black - vintage; Lara Acacia low dresser - CB2 (San Diego, CA) Rug: vintage

FIREPLACE SITTING ROOM

Furniture: The 45 Chair, black leather - House of Finn Juhl (Copenhagen, Denmark); Ryla Rattan stool - Urban Outfitters (San Diego, CA)

LIVING ROOM

Furniture: status accent chair - Old Bones Co (Costa Mesa, CA); Chelsea sofa - Joybird (Los Angeles, CA); co ee table; optic ines side table - Urban Outfitters (San Diego, CA)

Lighting - director floor lamp, natural wood - Adesso (Los Angeles, CA)

OFFICE

Furniture: Tyler armchair - Four Hands (Austin, TX); printmaker’s deskRestoration Hardware (San Diego, CA)

Lighting: Leanne Ford desk lampProject 62 at Target (San Diego, CA); etagere - IKEA (San Diego, CA)

PRIMARY BEDROOM

Furniture: Dean bed - Living Spaces (San Diego, CA); Circulus 7-drawer dresser - Crate & Barrel (San Diego, CA); cue white chair, tux nightstand - CB2 (San Diego, CA); Miami armless club chair - Sunset West (Vista, CA)

BY JESSICA RITZ | IMAGES BY BRANDON BEECHLER

INTERIOR DESIGNER HELENA BRANA

GIVES A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR THE BACHELOR PAD OF HIS DREAMS IN COASTAL ORANGE COUNTY

Sometimes commissioned her envision an unconventional

Charcoal gray venetian plaster walls add depth in the living room area. The television is connected to a state-of-the-art audio system

The fourbedroom home Abramsky purchased in summer 2021 had more or less the right open-concept floor plan that suited his lifestyle and entertaining, but stylistically it called for a major identity shift. Abramsky wanted to transform his modern farmhouse into a tastefully tricked-out contemporary crib.

"I needed to find a designer that shared that vision I had," he explains. He also preferred to work with a designer closer to his own age. Online research led him to Brana, whose crisp yet judicious use of color and statement pieces immediately inspired confidence that she'd be right for the job. It was somewhat of a departure from her usual projects—her portfolio of Southern California residences often showcase a feminine flair—but she was excited to take on the challenge.

Abramsky had a very clear vision, pointing to basketball legend Kobe Bryant as a guiding inspiration. Brana leaned into the blue and gray shades her client requested, exploring this palette via different textures and materials. In the main room, Brana transformed one wall with charcoal gray venetian plaster, and an ebonized oak wood panel contains a white marble-clad fireplace and one of the multiple televisions strategically placed for group viewing throughout the home. Dark polished concrete floors replaced the wood floors. Luxurious custom pieces from BRANA Designs’ rug collection add depth and color through the designer’s experiments with abstraction, gradients, and pattern.

A Bloom swivel chair by Kenneth Cobonpue in black adds a dramatic flourish to the seating

The preexisting open plan was further modified so the pool area outdoors is always easily accessible.

A flexible On the Rocks sofa by Edra allows guests to lounge and watch TV area, while a two-sided On the Rocks modular sofa manufactured by Edra anchors the space with a lounge-like feel. This piece also activates the part of the room that holds another unorthodox accessory. In lieu of a dining table, Brana designed a custom black-topped billiards table on a tiered pedestal illuminated by a Dew Drops pendant from Bomma. "Crystal lighting helps to make that space exciting, contemporary and elevated, but not heavy," Brana observes. Feathr wallpaper by L.A. artist Stacy Solodkin with a delicate, billowing gray-hued graphic adds a subtle distinction to the niche that holds the billiards equipment, appearing like smoke gently wafting through.

In the kitchen that bookends the great room, Brana retained the existing cabinets but swapped in new surfaces such as dark Emperador marble on the vent hood and island. Adding a glass extension to the island and outfitting the kitchen with plenty of comfortable, swiveling leather stools is a practical solution for Abramsky's preference to entertain casually rather than maintain a traditional dining table setup.

The hallway makes an ideal backdrop for the wall-mounted, multicolored stainless steel and acrylic sculptures by L.A.-based artist Brad Howe to play off the twisted profile of the Tobia wall sconces from Foscarini. In the home's private spaces, Brana sets moodier scenes. A pair of Togo sofa seats by Ligne Roset are irresistible cozy icons of modern furniture design and add to the comfort of the restful primary bedroom awash in more shades of purplish gray and an asymmetrical rug.

The den is Abramsky's true escape and refuge, which Brana describes as "masculine but playful," featuring custom wallpaper embellished with coppershade accents that appear to be asymmetrical patterns found in nature (think tree bark or reptile skin) and the ultimate childhood fantasy amenity: a candy bar. In the primary bathroom, Brana upgraded the lighting, plumbing fixtures, and materials, opting for

Santorini marble tiles in the steam shower and dark Emperador marble on the vanity top.

Naturally, the yard and the pool are essential to how Abramsky lives and hosts in his home. The team added a wall with a TV that connects with new state-of-the-art smart tech and AV systems, updated lighting, plus a fire pit. Outdoor lounge furnishings from makers such as Brazilian brand Tidelli add to the vibe. "When I have people over, they're open 24/7," Abramsky says about the fully pocketing doors, which mark the ultimate hallmark of the SoCal lifestyle. ■

GAME ROOM

Furniture: billiard, custom - BRANA Designs (Newport Beach, CA)

Lighting: dew drops, crystal with leather - BOMMA (Prague, Czech Republic)

Wallcovering: L.A. artist Stacy Solodkin - Feathr (feathr.com)

HALL

Lighting: Tobia wall sconcesFoscarini (Marcon, VE, Italy)

KITCHEN

Lighting: soap pendants, crystalBOMMA (Prague, Czech Republic)

Furniture: kitchen bar stools, leather - KFF (Lemgo, NW, Germany)

LIVING ROOM

Furniture: On the Rocks sofa - Edra (Perignano, PI, Italy); Bloom swivel chair - Kenneth Cobonpue (New York, NY); soda side table with Murano blown glass - Miniforms (Meolo, VE, Italy)

Lighting: Tuareg floor lampFoscarini (Marcon, VE, Italy)

PRIMARY BEDROOM

Furniture: Togo sofa - Ligne Roset (Briord, France)

THROUGHOUT

Rugs: custom - BRANA Designs (Newport Beach, CA)

Materials including a dark Emperador marble vanity top and Santorini tiles in the steam shower transform the primary bathroom into a contemporary sanctuary