Originally built as a place to entertain and swim, this pool house underwent a huge transformation when Erika, of FIXE Design House, gave it new life as a home for a family of four. Stretching beyond her natural comfort zone she played with a bit of color to complement the homeowners’ art collection and used earthy materials and textures to expertly balance her clients’ divergent minimalist and maximalist tendencies. Take a tour of this gorgeous modern Mediterranean home, photographed by Charlotte Lea Photography, below.
From the designer… This home was originally built by the previous owner as a pool house for him to entertain in and swim laps. We wanted to transform it into a home for a family of four. In this project, I was able to flex my love for all things natural, imperfect, and handcrafted. We incorporated various forms of clay, ceramics, wood, quartzite, marble and terrazzo.
The exterior presented a unique look and challenge when considering the interior remodeling plan. To balance the existing colorful outdoor footprint we gravitated towards earthy hues and materials inside – literally and figuratively. On the main floor, we searched to find a material that could transition indoor-outdoor, withstand the weather and the pool’s salt water, yet still provide warmth for an indoor surface. The selection was a timeless limestone flooring, quarried out of Morocco – after being formed over the course of millions of years, each piece of stone has its own story to tell.
Each floor has a “heart” or a gathering center to draw in family and friends. There are also unexpected moments as you journey through the home, don’t miss the minibar stocked with your favorite libations and the kitchen with its warm and welcoming earthy hues and textures. Stop and admire the rustic, hand-formed fluted clay fireplace. The second floor boasts a game room-library-lounge that serves as a gathering place for good times, games, and R&R alongside the family’s unique collection of vibrant artwork. This central room also provides a transition to the ample roof-top deck with views of the perfect California sunset.
Having traveled the world, my clients shared their favorite villas and resorts, such as Amanzoe in Greece, Sha Wellness in Mexico, and the Mandarin Oriental Marrakech. They pushed me outside of my (innately neutral) comfort zone to explore a more colorful, vibrant composition. One partner wanted a minimalist aesthetic and the other is a devoted maximalist, not to mention the home has a personality of its own that we had to consider. It was a game of Balance + Edit + Compromise. Our number one priority was to create harmony between the existing outside and the fully remodeled interior design while paying homage to some of their favorite artists and travel locales.
Like what you see? Take a peek at the talent behind the story… Interior Design: FIXE Design House · Photography: Charlotte Lea Photography · Architect: Giselle Kabbany
