Over the past few days, we have been sharing all the special details of our first Carmel by the Sea interior design project. Today, we are giving you the full tour of the Viscaino residence, standing atop the gorgeous coastline of Pebble Beach, California.
Built by Groza Construction, the home resides in the Del Monte forest and takes full advantage of the rugged coast and endless skies. Our clients and their three girls love to travel, ski, hike Big Sur and are extremely active. They have an impressive art collection. Recently they hosted a show for a local artist in this home, when it was a blank slate. Their adventurous spirits and love of the arts helped us create a spacious home filled with interesting pieces, luxe furnishings, and a dynamic energy.
This is the sixth house we have designed for these clients, and it has been an absolute delight every time. When Laura had her shop on Westheimer, our Viscaino client was one of the first to frequent the store. Our relationship with them has bloomed beautifully over the years! Our designers, Blair Usnick and Lexie Terry, took the helm of managing the details of our Carmel by the Sea interior design project from Houston.
Pebble Beach Interior Design – Nature-Inspired, Art-Filled, and Wonderfully Livable
With a pristine view of the shimmering ocean below, the home boasts an expansive terrace and a small putting green. Everything points to a life enjoyed outdoors. However, the interiors are equally captivating thanks to the clients’ ever-growing art collection. Roy Lichtenstein, Damien Hirst, and Marc Chagall all find serene rest in the home.
Color is embraced often and early. As soon as you enter, bursts of oceanic blue shades lure guests into the modern space. In the playroom level, an area modeled after the Sugar and Cloth Wall in Houston gives the homeowners a warm feeling of home. And perhaps best of all, the girls’ rooms were great canvases for creativity and personality, each one playful, colorful, and unique.
A Room-by-Room Exploration of Tone and Texture
Featured in Rue Magazine this summer, our photographer, Amy Bartlam, has captured the true essence of the home. Let’s take the tour!
Front Exterior
The simplicity of a black awning from New Millennium gives an immediate appeal to the exterior of Viscaino. Coupled with paneled planters from Restoration Hardware, it is ready to host seasonal blooms and evergreens. The scones from Lamps Plus ensure an Old World meets Modern Day look.
The Foyer
An exquisite foyer invites guests to a bright and airy interior. The center table with black marble top sits on a custom-scale octagon rug from Tai Ping. The ottoman in a pouf pill gray and silver velvet fringe has a glamorous edge, befitting the personality of the homeowners.
The stone knot from Madegoods caught our attention, and we were tempted to get it for this foyer. There is something magical about the soft curves of the knot blended with its incredible weight.
The Living Room
Our clients wanted a living room that would comfort large gatherings and allow for intimate dinner parties. Keeping this in mind, we gave the living room a welcoming and inviting feel with neutral shades concentrating on aesthetic masterpieces.
The serpentine sofa draws your attention and allows for separate conversations on either side. This versatility means close friends and new acquaintances will both feel comfortable. The cocktail table from Lawson Fenning and side tables from Hive Modern are exquisite. Again, we play on scale and weight here for visual interest.
A custom-made burl wood cabinet (fabricated by our good friends at El Dorado Woodworks) contrasts with the existing stone fireplace. Our clients love the smoked glass Poliedri Murano Chandelier, the highlight of this room. Its delicate glass pieces required manual assembly and when the light catches one, they evoke the reflective nature of the sea.
The Dining Room
We continue the exploration of sandy neutrals with a complementary dining room. The dining table from Century Furniture features a blonde finish, while the dining chairs from Theodore Alexander pull the room together through shape. This dining room is host to a Roy Lichenstein art piece that adorns the back wall. The chandelier from Brendan Ravenhill matches with the black console and contrasts against the neutral tones.
On the opposite side of this room is an almost panoramic view of the coast. We installed on a cloudy day, but you could see the white caps of the waves as they crashed against each other. What a place to host a dinner party!
The Kitchen
The kitchen is at the heart of the home, and where we spent a lot of our time on the renovation. Before we came on board, the kitchen lacked storage and had only one large island. For an active family of five this wouldn’t do. We set to work on a design that included both a working island and a separate island for casual dining. The custom bar stools from Berman Rosetti add stylish and ample seating.
Family Room
The sandy tones take center stage in the family room. The built-in is fabulous with its caned appearance – another gift from our El Dorado Woodworks team. The Damien Hirst, one of his famous spot paintings, adds a playful bout of color. A cocktail table from Hickory Chair with a custom hand-painted pattern looks stylish and elegant. The mini black vase set from Global Views complements the Console Basket by Serena and Lily. When we think about accessorizing a family room, we highlight personalized pieces with neutral ones. Organic shapes, like this sculpture from Noir, are an effortless and alluring addition.
Powder Bath
Powder baths are blank canvases to experiment. They are open invitations to go as bold and dramatic as you want. It may seem counterintuitive because the space is small, but that’s exactly why it works. Going all out can have a transporting effect. This powder bath plays with a royal blue wall-covering from Flavor Paper with the hardware from Nest studios adding the glam quotient. That gilded veining just adds that oomph. The mirror from D Pages gives a ‘oh so-wow’ feel while the sconces from Apparatus look chic.
This main floor powder bath is meant to wow guests, and it certainly does just that. If you are excusing yourself from the bash to check your makeup, this is the place to do so indulgently.
His and Her Office
Our clients were way ahead of the curve when they opted for a shared office. A beautifully crafted cabinet by Linda Pogue provides all the storage they need for print materials and photos. The chandelier from Arteriors gives this home office a very evocative look. His desk from Design Within Reach is what sets the mood of the room. We placed another desk, from the now closed Cory Pope and Associates, at the opposite end. The cozy and iconic Herman Miller chairs are comfortable even for longer hours of work.
Master Suite
Designed with subdued and contrasting neutrals, the master suite for the couple gives warm and cozy feel. A Marc Chagall art piece on the wall above the bleached oak dresser is pastoral and calm. The hand knotted silk and wool blend rug from Creative Floor is soft and stylish in a geometric motif. More plays on geometry to come in the master bath.
The chandelier from Palecek is a complete game changer. Touching on the nature outside and bringing it indoors is exactly what it does. We incorporated rattan and other woven wood elements throughout the home to achieve this interconnectedness.
The Master bath wallpaper from Drop It Modern electrifies this spa-like space without taking you out of the relaxing energy. We took some risks in this bathroom, specifically with the large-format stone and matte black finishes. When our clients purchased this home, the bathroom was sparsely decorated, traditional, and white. White walls, white vanity, and light-colored tile. Luckily, the clients saw our dramatic vision, and we surrendered to this moody palette. A round vanity mirror from CB2 mingles with the Chandelier from Arteriors. The silver leaf finish contrasts well with not only the bathroom itself, but the lush greenery outside.
Pebble Beach Interior Design for the Kiddos – Playful and Sophisticated
Our clients’ three girls played a big part in designing their own spaces. Being dancers, they love color, imagination, and a little whimsy. They were very open to showcasing their personalities through design. With each room so different, if you knew these girls, you’d know exactly which rooms belonged to whom by looking through these photos.
The Guest Bedroom
Viscaino’s guest room is inviting and cozy to provide the guests with comfort and warmth. The rust-colored chairs from CB2 descend from the tanny neutrals, but are similar enough to provide cohesion. We love all the funky shapes found here – almost surreal. This space reminds us so much of the desert. It is modern, nature-inspired, and romantic.
M’s Bedroom
We love sourcing Anthropologie for girls’ furnishings. They always offer stylish items that are feminine and well-made. The bed in M’s room from Anthropologie looks oh-so-chic! Our choice of Drapery from Culp Associates, a Vanity mirror from CB2 and chair from BlueDot looks super stylish contrasting with the decor. The theme of chandeliers has been followed throughout consistently, and it complements the room magnificently.
Z’s Bedroom
Z was in love with the playful color we gave her room. Butterfly and giraffe prints are what the little one wished for, and we intended to deliver! The room features a Circa Chandelier and a giraffe trinket dish from Anthropologie. Zoe was extremely delighted by the pink trims from Kravet alongside her clear Nesting Tables by CB2. This is a room that will grow with her.
Skylar’s Bedroom
The tasteful purple and orange rainbow print designed by Artfully Walls gives a lovely look to Skylar’s room. It also includes a chandelier by Stray Dog Designs and bathroom chandelier from CB2, giving a playful yet graceful touch to Skylar’s bedroom. Seeing her love for cats, we included a Cat Art from Society6.
The Conservatory
The playful and sophisticated conservatory obtains its name from the fun Phillip Jeffries wallcovering, Arboretum. This room is complete with rolling desks and chairs that allow for flexible movement for any craft or activity the girls dream up. With a comfortable sectional, daybed, and well-placed poufs, this is the perfect spot for an epic sleepover.
Thus, Concludes The Tour
We hope that you found our first Pebble Beach interior design project refreshing, playful, and modern. Working at the house has been a soulful experience for our team and an utter delight for all of us.
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