HUNTINGTON
BEACH PROJECT 2004
Charisse
Dunn, Designer
My
client’s core values are Freedom, Success and Family.
This translated into a home that was low maintenance, had a
“wow” factor when you entered the front door, and
provided intimate areas.
This
2,100 sq. ft. single family dwelling is home to a single
father, two teenage boys, two dogs and two cats. It
has to stand up to a lot of abuse in the form of proximity
to the ocean (1½ blocks), wear and tear of pets, a family
that loves to skateboard, ride bikes, surf and walk back
from the beach in their wetsuits and sandy feet.
We
chose natural slate pavers set in concrete for the floor
downstairs. Upstairs we chose cork. All windows
were replaced with double pane low-e fiberglass clad wood
frames. Glass blocks were used to increase natural
light without sacrificing privacy. My client wanted a
lived in look, it couldn’t say “don’t touch”.
We found most of the furniture and rugs at thrift stores,
consignment stores and estate sales.
The
custom kitchen included energy efficient Energy Star Fisher
Payel double drawer dish washer, Theremadore range, double
gas ovens, trash compactor and energy star refrigerator.
The powder room sink was salvaged from another client.
All the lighting uses LongLite adhesives that extend the
life of halogens and incandescent by 3 times and reduces
energy by 10%.
The
wow factor was achieved with color and scale. We installed
an eight foot salvaged front door that worked much better
with the tall/narrow proportions of the home (total width is
18’). We also raised the height of the opening to
the kitchen and the windows in the main living space to be
the same height as the front door, bringing in more natural
light, and creating a cohesive calming canvas. (The
original doors and windows in the main living were all
different heights and styles, with wood mullein windows and
aluminum sliders in the same space!) The décor had to
include an existing collection of antique quarter sawn oak
amours and side tables as well as inherited antique
furniture and clocks from Switzerland.
Intimacy
was achieved by creating gathering places within the open
plan layout. We used rugs, lighting and furniture
arrangements to anchor and create conversation areas, as
well as spaces where one can retreat to be alone.
© 2005
Charisse Dunn
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