The owners of this hillside”Atomic Ranch” in Southern California’s idyllic Corona del Mar purchased the house for its linear form, mid-century look and amazing views. It had more living space and important fixes, so the customers turned to Laidlaw Schultz Architects to restructure its design and make an awareness of indoor-outdoor living. Directed by Craig Schultz, the group opened the house into the view and combined mid-century-inspired architecture and hot materials with many of the owners’ own curvy, vibrant furnishings. The result is a superbly updated blast in the past.
Laidlaw Schultz architects
The designers reorganized the construction of the house, tripling its first 1,100 square feet and incorporating two guest bedrooms and an office. The living area’s first sliding glass doors were actually inhibiting the view, therefore the architects place a cantilevered beam out from the roof and wrapped a floor-to-ceiling window around this side of the home.
Laidlaw Schultz architects
The house’s statement-making entryway includes a distinctive mid-century view, echoing the traces of the rest of the home. Schultz and his company designed this house with the ancient Case Study Houses of Los Angeles in mind. Although considerably upgraded, this home features on the Case Study Houses’ style and idea of indoor/outdoor living.
Laidlaw Schultz architects
An unexpected Texas-limestone lined pool greets visitors in the front courtyard, directly within the entrance.
Laidlaw Schultz architects
Schultz made a collection of concrete walls that offer peekaboo views into the pool as you walk towards the front door.
Laidlaw Schultz architects
The front door opens up into a long hallway that moves through the house, giving an unobstructed look at the view and also a central courtyard.
Laidlaw Schultz architects
Walls lined with more Texas limestone surround the courtyard. A hint of this rocky limestone can be seen from just about any point in the home. An outdoor fireplace, incorporated seat, and seating room with Bertoia side chairs make an elegant setting for outdoor entertaining.
Laidlaw Schultz architects
The customers had bought the house due to its mid-century style and had some mid-century furniture and accessories, so the designers tried to carry that feel throughout.
Laidlaw Schultz architects
Tangerine George Nelson Coconut Chairs counter a royal blue couch in a casual living room beside the kitchen.
While they were working on the house, Schultz and his company discovered that the first placement of the garage was crowding the living space. “When you start off planning, you often think one thing, but sometimes that can change as you go along,” says Schultz. By moving the garage into the other side of the home, they were able to expand this area considerably.
Laidlaw Schultz architects
All of the cabinetry in the house was completed in Shedua, an exotic and high density wood with a warm glow. The customers already had the boomerang couch, which was reupholstered in a retro-looking olive oil.
Laidlaw Schultz architects
A mid-century styled bar sits on one end of the family area, blending beautifully with the softly stained walnut flooring. The presence of unprocessed materials gives the house a sense of flow and a remarkably warm ambiance.
Laidlaw Schultz architects
On the other side of the home, the master bedroom faces a gorgeous ocean view. Considering that the master bedroom was on the sea facing side of the home in the first structure, the customers wanted to maintain that same view. An office and two guest bedrooms on the other side of the home face the interior courtyard.
Laidlaw Schultz architects
A simple dining room is decorated by little more than the phenomenal view. Set off in the Primary living area, the space is outfitted with a Saarinen Tulip Dining Table, and four Eames Executive Chairs.
Although there were several challenges throughout the procedure, the house was completed quickly and efficiently, with amazing results. “Working with an existing structure is always a challenge,” says Schultz. “But these customers were really great, because they were able to make all of their decisions up front. They stuck to their first choices — as much as possible, anyway.”
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