Tour de Force

Who doesn’t enjoy a little voyeuristic house tour?  Well, I’m always the first to sign up, so when I got a sneak preview at one in the upcoming , I was ready with protective booties in hand.  (You know someone’s serious when they have their own booties.)

Vernacular architecture is my passion and this Spanish Colonial Revival in the Palisades is a showstopper.  Newly built in 2010, the proportions, materials and details are so authentic that you can almost imagine you're standing on the Riviera at the Mediterranean rather than the Pacific.

Dayna Katlin Interiors masterfully continued the existing organic textures of the reclaimed Hickory floors, thick plaster walls and Malibu tile trim with rich, tactile fabrics.  The lines of the furniture though, are clean and geometric allowing the patterns to take center stage.

“When I first met with the owners and saw that incredible ocean view, I knew the color palette would be teal, aqua and sea foam green,” she says.  And indeed a yummy mallard blue velvet was the first find and drove the hues for the whole space.  I think my most favorite trick is Katlin’s use of Sunbrella fabrics in all the eating areas – including the formal dining room!  Did you know Sunbrella comes in velvet?  Me neither.

Downstairs, the entertainment cave/bar/pit is anchored by a custom designed reclaimed Douglas fir unit that houses the 65” TV and storage for CDs and DVDs.  Which you can watch while bellying up to the bar or catching a few rays by the pool just steps away.  If this were my house, margarita mix and Bain de Soleil would be in the top drawer.  Just sayin.

But really, fancy designer fabrics and clever architecture does not a home make.  Toss in a few delicious antiques, and now you have my attention.  Katlin’s eye for beauty and provenance led to the discovery of a very soulful Tibetan day bed, which she magically transformed, into a coffee table.   A 19th century Danish mahogany pedestal table glows in the entry and an 18th century Italian burled walnut secretary made the designer place a frantic call to her client.  “Turn your car around and come see this piece before someone gets it!”  It now takes pride of place in the cozy living room.

I hear Katlin will be on hand, so I am definitely coming back for the tour on Sunday the 13th to get a little free advice.  But if this is any indication of the rest of the homes, my booties are going to be worn thin.