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Living and family rooms have panoramic views — including dramatic visions of a
70-foot-long vanishing-edge pool
Banner image above: Doors retract into walls to create indoor-outdoor living space
ideal for entertaining guests
Ocean View Home — Just What The Doctor Ordered
When a pair of prominent doctors asked architect Tony Crisafi to design a new home on a steep lot overlooking La Jolla Shores and the Cove, he came up with just the right prescription.
"The whole inspiration was the view," says Crisafi, AIA, of Island Architects in La Jolla. He adds, "Both of the owners are doctors, who are well known in their fields. They like to entertain on a large scale."
Crisafi designed a dramatic new seaside residence that is both warm and contemporary, with help from his partner, Drex Patterson. The new home replaced a torn-down ’60s house.
"We view a property as a blank canvas, then listen intently to what a client is trying to achieve. This owner definitely wanted to explore different ideas."
The property had been designated for a single-story home by a neighborhood review committee. But the architects came up with a creative floor plan and managed to win approval for a three-story home with an abundant 15,000 square feet. Nearly half of the home is underground, with two additional stories above grade.
"We designed it, then had a surveyor resurvey the whole neighborhood and put story poles up to pinpoint views that the neighboring properties had," Crisafi recalls.
To build on the steep lot, soil was recompacted and shorn up. Caissons were sunk to nearly 100 feet to support the new home and a pool. Phil Provenzone at Sunset West in Chula Vista took charge of constructing the elaborate project, which took two-and-a-half years.
Step down from the street into a private courtyard, past a stone and bronze water wall and landscaping that provides privacy. A bronzed entry door flanked by water features provides a sensation of "bridging over water as you step into the house," Crisafi notes.
A bronze door ushers guests into a soaring two-story foyer crowned by an offset skylight. Move past a carved, antique jalousie screen into a step-down dining room with sweeping ocean view. Adjacent living and family rooms also have panoramic views — including dramatic visions of a 70-foot-long vanishing-edge pool designed by Skip Phillips, owner of Questar Pools & Spas of Escondido. "The pool is lifted, so there is a negative edge all the way around the pool, which gives a floating effect," Crisafi says. "The spa floats in the pool itself to create yet another subtle level."
Limestone flooring in the kitchen and family room extend outdoors. In the dining room and living room, ASID designers Margo and Sandy Porras of Arthur Porras Associates in San Diego created a rug effect with intricate wood inlays. The home also includes an exquisite collection of Persian rugs. Exotic ziracote wood cabinetry in the kitchen and other rooms has been accentuated with lighter colored woods. Filigreed bronze grillwork on the living room ceiling complements a bronze grid over a clerestory window above the entry.
Semi-precious stones and petrified wood from Unique Stone Imports serve as a stunning fireplace adornment in the living room, where a 20-foot-long wall of glass doors brings the outdoors in. "There are a number of corner glass walls that disappear in this home, and the living room view wall disappears as well," says Crisafi. Doors retract into walls to create indoor-outdoor living space ideal for entertaining guests, or simply savoring fabulous sunset views. A separate catering kitchen behind the main kitchen adjoins an outdoor barbecue area. Terraces with stone and bronze fire elements provide drama and warmth after dark, idyllic for entertaining outdoors year-round. Outdoor furnishings and landscaping by Bruce Rudd complete the outdoor living space.
The top story perches like a crow’s nest high above the sea, commanding sweeping views from a comfortably appointed master suite, exercise room, and private terrace. An open-cab elevator with wooden cage top ascends to the lofty level, illuminated by a skylight that fills a Venetian-plastered shaft with sunshine.
Below ground, the home features a media room, billiards room, and bar, as well as a large garage finished with limestone flooring that matches terraces and floors above. "It turned into another room to entertain," says Crisafi, who added a large projector and screen in the garage as well. "There is a large lobby and beautifully furnished entertainment area that can also work as a bar set-up."
The current homeowners have hosted family get-togethers, charity functions, and even a wedding reception for a relative. The designer concludes, "The idea is that the house is totally set up for entertaining. It’s well-suited." This home is currently listed with Maxine & Marti Gellens. (858/551-6630, www.gellens.com)
— Miriam Raftery, photography by Cameron Acker
Glass wall panels, potpourri holder, and small pink rhinestone frame from Jolie Femme in Del Mar Plaza; Arte Italica medium pink footed plant vase, bejeweled heart box, Two’s Company rectangle and oval pink jeweled frames, and silk Valerie pillow from Le Dimora in Fairbanks Ranch; marble "My Heart Belongs To You" bejeweled box and crown with ruby-colored stones from Bella Castilla in Del Mar
Let Love Rule
Evoke a feeling of romance in your living spaces with the addition of a few key pieces. Glass wall panels, pink accessories, frames, or keepsake boxes can add just the right sentimental touch to your home décor.
— Mia Stefanko, photo by Vincent Knakal
Sterling silver contemporary cherubic frame and sterling silver contemporary frame with florals and scrolls from The McNally Company Antiques in Rancho Santa Fe; Bella Fiore Tuscany Rose black frame and crystal starburst frame from Perfectly At Home in The Forum At Carlsbad; and Roma Moulding Gianni gold leaf frame, Roma Moulding Bellina Rose frame, and extra wide carved wood frame from Le Dimora in Fairbanks Ranch
Frame Up
A picture speaks a thousand words, but a picture framed in custom silver, gold, and elegantly adorned wood will leave you speechless. Here are some local favorites. — Alicia Garcia, photo by Vincent Knakal
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