It’s always fun to see the evolution of our projects, as they change hands with new ownership. Our original client for Benedict Canyon was from the sports world, and he wanted an open-plan house for entertaining, that would also include a photography studio and gallery space for displaying his large scale artworks. Seven years later, in new hands, the original bones are still in place, the landscape is more mature, and the rooms have been repurposed to suit the needs of the new owners.
The long curving driveway down to the property arrives at a car park and entrance walkway, passing an upstairs studio space on the left-hand side, accessed via floating stairs that rise above a modern reflecting pool. Originally an office, this studio space now houses a light-filled gym and yoga workout room with rooftop terrace and views through floor to ceiling glass walls.
The wide horizontal pavers of the entrance walkway guide the eye up to the main house, where water surrounds the entryway, flowing between steps and meeting a chiseled marble ledger stone wall. A large center-pivot front door opens to reveal a dramatic double-height foyer accented with ribbon windows to the north and south, and skylights overhead. Straight out through sliding glass walls on the far side of the room, beyond the patio, is a perfectly framed view of the California hills.
Large, earth toned porcelain tiles flow smoothly down three steps into the living area, lined with a series of wall-sized glass pocket doors. When all are open, the feeling of bringing the outdoors inside is breezily apparent. An olive tree lives in the foyer with the help of grow lights, and a small Zen garden at the bottom of the steps adds greenery to the space.
To the right are a sun-filled gallery and stairs, and the entries to the three downstairs bedroom/baths, one of which is now a home office. To the left are the dining room, family room, and kitchen featuring Dekton Quartz island and countertops, imported Italian walnut and Wenge wood cabinets, Wolf range and ovens, and custom dining table in Calcutta porcelain, with built-in Yakiniku grills imported from Japan.
Tucked in next to the dining area is the home theater, and behind that, the housekeeper’s bedroom and bath. The far end of the family room is built out over the edge of a hillside, surrounded by glass on three sides, adding an exhilarating panorama and floating effect.
In all ground floor bedrooms and main living areas of the house sliding glass walls open onto the pool terrace for year-round indoor outdoor living. Upstairs, the primary suite includes his and her dressing rooms and a gray, stacked-stone fireplace that also heats a private outdoor terrace. Solid walnut plank ceilings, also found in the family and dining rooms, warm the bedroom, as does the 10-inch oak custom stained flooring. Expansive glass provides views from both the primary bedroom and bath, which features a Carrara marble shower and quartz countertops.
Outdoor living and a great view are essential to resort style living. Here, they’re enhanced by a large rooftop terrace above the family room, furnished with lounge chairs for sunning, and furniture gathered around a ledger stone fireplace that warms nighttime entertaining and stargazing.