Artist Regina Yazdi created the living room’s custom pinup wallpaper, where furnishings by Minotti, Kelly Wearstler and Oly Studio are found. PHOTO BY JENNY SIEGWART
It isn’t every day that an interior designer is given near total carte blanche to create a truly bespoke home. That, however, was exactly the case when Tiffani Baumgart (tiffanibinteriors.com) was contacted by Tommy Dean to realize a new breed of beachfront living, smack on the sand in Carlsbad. Today the 3,200-square-foot, three-story contemporary creates its own set of house rules, ones carefully crafted by Baumgart to reflect Dean’s distinguished past and current focus on laid-back, beach-leaning luxury.
A light fixture from Visual Comfort illuminates the stairwell, where hand-painted birds by artist Cassandra Schramm fly freely. PHOTO BY JENNY SIEGWART
Dean made his fortune through various endeavors, one of which involved bringing German-crafted Birkenstocks to the United States in the 1970s. In a real estate twist of fate, he ended up purchasing the Carlsbad home from the former Vans vice president of foreign operations in 2013 for $3.5 million. The plan was to create the ultimate beach compound, an indoor-outdoor entertainment space that seamlessly spills onto the sand—shoes optional.
“With this kind of location, the amazing ocean views were a starting point,” says San Diego-based Baumgart, known for designing highly personalized, art-fueled environments for private clients throughout the area. “The idea was to balance that incredible visual drama that plays out every day with an interior drama that could match the ocean vistas without overwhelming them.”
The kitchen includes bar stools by Restoration Hardware and luxury Miele appliances. PHOTO BY GAIL OWENS
To that end, Baumgart created rich and layered interiors that cast their own magic without stealing the beach scene. Forgoing the default all-neutral palette favored by many coastal designers, she opted for a high-contrast, mostly black and white, color scheme to make a visual impact. From a tactile perspective, a rich mix of velvets, linens and mohairs make for a soft, nestlike environment. “The idea was to encourage extended moments of complete comfort, whether you’re on the sofa, in bed or lingering at the table,” says Baumgart.
A suspended brass faucet is set against aged mirrored walls in the powder room PHOTO BY: JENNY SIEGWART
Jungalow wallpaper by Justina Blakeney x Hygge & West, a Lucite bed from Anthropologie and an overhead light fixture by Visual Comfort make a dramatic statement. PHOTO BY: GAIL OWENS
Realizing such a home, however, could not be rushed. With details including handforged hardware made in France, art nouveau-inspired woodwork, and patinated mirrors and metal finishes, the home only looks and feels effortless. For Baumgart, it was a true labor of love. Today, those years of work include the open plan, sun-drenched main living area where Baumgart tapped artist Regina Yazdi to design the custom black-and-white pinup wallpaper. That high-contrast color motif is carried throughout the home via geometric tile work that extends to the kitchen, bathrooms and even jewel boxlike laundry room. More mold breaking details include an indoor jacuzzi off the guest room that can be made private via outdoor curtains. There’s also the primary suite’s perch-like positioning with an interior glass balcony that looks onto the living room area, as well as the powder room with a faucet that extends from the ceiling.
A stunning shower and free-standing tub are set against a verdant outdoor wall in the primary bathroom PHOTO BY JENNY SIEGWART
homeowner Tommy Dean’s personal style is reflected throughout the black and white home. PHOTO BY JENNY SIEGWART
“HOMES NEED TO FUNCTION PERFECTLY AND THEY NEED TO LAST OVER TIME, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FANTASY CAN’T BE PART OF THE EQUATION.” –TIFFANI BAUMGART, OWNER AND PRINCIPAL DESIGNER, TIFFANI BAUMGART INTERIORS
“Homes need to function perfectly and they need to last over time,” says Baumgart. “But that doesn’t mean that a certain amount of fantasy can’t be part of the equation. For many homeowners, it’s just that out-of-this-world quality that can make their house truly feel like a home.”
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