PHOTO BY LAURA HULL PHOTOGRAPHY
By juxtaposing newer furnishings with traditional molding and architecture, Esteban Interiors transformed this historic Windansea Beach home into a contemporary classic.
A Terzani Argent suspension light of gold discs hangs in the dining room PHOTO BY LAURA HULL PHOTOGRAPHY
When a client of 10 years purchased a new La Jolla property in 2017, San Diego interior design firm Esteban Interiors (estebaninteriors.com) looked to modernize the historic 1930s home with colonial characteristics. “We wanted to honor the architecture and classic appeal,” says Chief Creative Officer Esteban Lopez, who heads the firm with President and CEO James Niebling. “The home is one block away from Windansea Beach, and although it features a unique waterfall-edge pool, the proximity to the adjacent beach embodies the quintessential Southern California lifestyle.”
A casita, with its own separate entrance, features a recreation room with a sleek linear bar for entertaining. PHOTO BY LAURA HULL PHOTOGRAPHY
While the client initially desired a modern look, through the planning process, a more classic approach emerged. “We introduced all the bespoke molding profiles that echo the past, but we painted everything one color with only sheen changes as contrast,” Lopez says of the solid woodwork throughout. “We also insisted on the use of old oak wood floors imported from Holland; we wanted to evoke a feeling of quality and permanence upon viewing the home, without one piece of furniture installed.”
The brown-toned living room features a bespoke console and sofas PHOTO BY LAURA HULL PHOTOGRAPHY
“OUR CLIENT WAS VERY INSISTENT ON HAVING EVERYTHING BE NATURAL AND TONAL. WE CREATED A JUXTAPOSITION WITH A PUNCTUATION OF MODERN FURNISHINGS AND ACCENTS OF LIGHTING.” –ESTEBAN LOPEZ, CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, ESTEBAN INTERIORS
A marble geometric floor design with inlaid brass and bright Erik Skoldberg art make for a grand entrance into the single-level home. The brown-toned living room features a bespoke console and sofas, a fireplace mantel and a playful CTO Lighting chandelier, while the formal dining room contains a Terzani Argent suspension light of gold discs and a Poliform table with moss-green chairs. “Our client was very insistent on having everything be natural and tonal,” says Lopez, who integrated colorful artwork and contemporary touches into the classical aesthetic. “We created a juxtaposition with a punctuation of modern furnishings and accents of lighting.”
A marble geometric floor with inlaid brass greets guests in the entryway PHOTO BY LAURA HULL PHOTOGRAPHY
A custom wine vault extends from the dining room, and an airy open kitchen and family room feature appliances from Pirch, a round RH table and chic Gabriel Scott pendant lights. Large aperture glass and steel pocketing doors open to the courtyard. “[They’re] ideal for having the outdoors and indoors unified on those perfect summer days or nights,” Lopez says. For a roomier feel, all of the ceilings are “trayed” with a 30-degree angle to make use of their largest areas. “This was a clever idea that the architect devised that we welcomed,” Lopez says of Island Architects (islandarch.com).
The primary bath contains dual walk-in closets and custom vanities. PHOTO BY LAURA HULL PHOTOGRAPHY
Also connecting to the courtyard is a serene primary bedroom with a custom bed, intricate Aja Rugs carpet and Lee Broom crescent lighting—plus a bath with a spacious steam shower, dual walk-in closets and custom vanities. A guest bedroom with a private bath and walk-in closet completes the main house. On the opposite end, a casita with separate entrance boasts a private office with full bath, and an inviting recreation room with a linear bar and shuffleboard table. Notes Lopez, “Key handoff to the client and move-in started September 2020, but there was more work to be done to get to the point of the beautiful pictures you see today.” Time well spent, indeed.
The serene primary bedroom boasts a custom bed and Lee Broom crescent lights PHOTO BY LAURA HULL PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography by:
