Mixing several components relevant to the owners and highlighting the surrounding nature, interior designer Marc Berger of Los Angeles-based Hunterhouse Design, has created an informal and comfortable residence, located off the Malibu hills, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Maximizing the ideal seaside location, Los Angeles-based Abramson Architects designed a large, low-profile, two-level residence that allows the ocean views to play a major role in most of the rooms.
This gave a perfect envelope to contain Berger’s eclectic, yet elegantly balanced interior that includes French and Italian Art Deco, mid-century modernist and other retro pieces, and mixes it all with contemporary items and art work.
The various wood elements, including flooring, ceilings, wall panelling, exposed beams and furnishings, add a sense of countryside and informality to reflect the owners’ lifestyle. The owners are a young couple: a real-estate specialist and a professional horse rider, whose horses and dogs also live on the large plot of land.
The construction of the property has taken more than five years due to Malibu’s strict permitting and it is still not all completed. A guest house and barn are still to come.
In a move to bring the outside nature in, Marc Berger introduced the light stone used on exterior into the main fireplace and into the walls of one of the bathrooms.
Another stunning stone feature is in the living room: an emerald quartzite counter and backdrop, surrounded by Thomas Hayes stools and topped by the famous Artemide Alfa lamp by Italian lighting designer Sergio Mazza (b.1931).
Although we love minimalism, we are drawn to the library with its slightly darker and formal tone. It is a veritable exhibition of cool vintage pieces: The vintage 50s chandelier is from Blackman Cruz antiques and the custom-designed sofa is covered in F. Schumacher velvet. The lounge chairs are by Jean de Merry.
The 1950s Jacques Hitier side table is from Los Angeles-based Galerie Half. Hitier (1917-1999) was a Paris-born interior architect and designer and educator and a prominent personality in the decorative arts scene.
Also in the library is the Jean-Michel Frank (1895-1941) Parchment coffee customized by Mimi London. Frank was a French interior designer known for using exotic and unusual materials and patterns.
The rug is by Anne Hauk Design that provided numerous pieces for the residence.
We also love one of the bedrooms, especially the exquisite rug by Woven. The nightstand is from Anne Hauck. The lamp is by Studio Balestra and 50s retro Paul Frankl bench from Jeffrey Schenrholtz’s Fatchance Los Angeles. Paul Frankl (1886-1958) was a Vienna, Austria-born Art Deco furniture designer and maker, architect, artist and writer.
The living room with its gorgeous stone fireplace features another rug by Woven and a coffee table by sculptor Casey McCafferty. The artwork is by Ethan Murrow.
The 80s Jay Spectre lounge chair is from Anne Hauck Design. Jay Spectre (1930-1992) was an American interior and furniture designer from Louisville, Kentucky, known for custom-designing luxury residences, private jets and offices for movie stars and politicians. – Tuija Seipell
Images by John Daniel Powers
