Mr. Belvedere:
Elegance Of The Unexpected
A community like La Jolla usually holds its breath when word gets out that an architect will be building a home for his/herself and family. There have been plenty of examples when the home fits better into the pages of architecture magazines than with the other houses on its block.

When a tiny home two blocks from Windansea Beach was demolished in 2002, the neighbors were holding their breaths. The construction process heightened curiosity as trenches 20 feet below the ground were dug, and concrete walls were poured, one reaching an astonishing height of 26 feet. Cranes were seen lifting large beams of steel and walls of rebar into place. The architect was Laura DuCharme Conboy of DuCharme Architecture, and the result captured universal admiration and won the American Institute of Architects San Diego design award in 2004.

The home, affectionately called Mr. Belvedere after the street it was built on, is a refreshing look at craftsman-style vernacular with modern materials and all the space and height they afford. With its deep eaves of tongue-groove redwood and beautifully framed wood encased windows and doors, the home's design has a surprisingly nostalgic quality of hearth and home while offering qualities of modern space.

The contradiction of materials such as concrete and steel capture an unusually harmonious balance with the interior surfaces of stone and wood. Windows and doors, imported from Italy, offer the predominant personality of this modern craftsman style. Arched openings nine feet high and eight feet wide work in tandem with the rich redwood cladding and naturally patinaed copper used around the entrance doorway. Each room is allowed to grandly open up to the adjoining spaces and landscaped outdoor area.

The ground floor is home to an office/den lit from a street-side window and an interior skylight that opens to the floor above. Framed by the signature exposed steel beams and anchored by the wall-lined bookshelf, this space offers a comfortable place to work or settle into a good book. On the other side of the entryway is the guest bedroom with a wall of windows looking out to the street. The guest bathroom is composed of beautifully paned walls set against the surface of exposed, formwork detailed, and smooth concrete.

In the center of the ground floor, the living and dining areas are separated by stairs to denote different uses in what would otherwise be an open great-room of hardwood floors and windows. The direct connection to the exterior patio and backyard is made with arching glass reaching nine feet high. The weighted moldings of the windows and doors enclose the space in a warm and elegant way, reminiscent of both an artist loft in New York and a Southern California beach bungalow.

The kitchen accomplishes the marriage of tradition and modern with an exquisite combination of sleek stainless steel in the cabinetry against rough textured walls of handsome Southern buff limestone; the floors are also limestone, imported from France. The kitchen table, a native Torrey Pine slab, is accented with delicate, antique, hand-painted chairs and the dominant candle chandelier, confirming the heart and warmth of this home is indeed in the kitchen.

The bedrooms are upstairs and Conboy didn't miss an opportunity to capture the views of the ocean. Walking into the master bedroom, one is struck by the feeling of being in a tree house. The windows escalate from the ceiling downward, with horizontal wood lines connecting three walls of glass looking out over the neighboring treetops. Two large wood beams run across the middle of the ceiling, allowing for intriguing and unexpected shadow play, and continue out past the wall of windows to the end of the exaggerated eaves outside. This architectural gesture is just one of the many small details that make each room a truly unique space.

The house is complete with a rooftop deck that offers panoramic views of the ocean and a basement garage that seems to have enough room for six cars. And did I mention the pool in the basement? One of Conboy's friends, Ralf Berger, teases, "Let me get this straight, you live one and a half blocks from the beach and you're swimming in the basement?"

But if you saw the basement, you wouldn't mind swimming there either. The pool and exercise room are flooded with natural light from the light wells intentionally placed around the house - just another example of the unexpected that makes Mr. Belvedere a true testament to Conboy's genius.
- Lauren Bender, photography by Vincent Knakal

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Om
Seeking a personal sanctuary? A home meditation space might be the answer. Since the mid-1990s, many homeowners and celebrities - like Madonna, Britney Spears, and Alanis Morissette - have picked up the idea to create a haven from the outside world. Whether the room is used for meditation, journaling, or yoga, it's easy to craft a space for spiritual and emotional rejuvenation. Use a palette of soft greens and blues and introduce elements of earth, fire, and water to connect with nature. These can include a blossoming gardenia or sculptural bonsai, aromatherapy candles, and a trickling tabletop, or wall fountain to help mask the outside noise. Inspirational artwork, sculptures, holy books, or personal mementos will create a relaxing aura. - Tanja Kern, photo by Vincent Knakal

(left to right):
Restoration Hardware crystal potpourri in lavender with fragrant oil from Restoration Hardware in Fashion Valley; The Emotional House book by Kathryn L. Robyn and Dawn Ritchie from Barnes & Noble Del Mar; Two's Company tulip soap petals and Spa Sister signature embroidered silk sleep mask from Bathe in The Flower Hill Promenade; Hindu figurine and meditation beads, Triloka Ayurvedic mediation incense, and soothing tea and invigorating tea from the Chopra Center; Spa Sister luxury bath pillow from Bathe in The Flower Hill Promenade; Chopra Center Adara hair and body wash; Fresh candle in yuzu scent from Kamay in Solana Beach; Voluspa crisp Champagne candle from Kamay in Solana Beach; Chopra Center nirvana candle; Lollia relax luminary candle from Bathe in The Flower Hill Promenade; Dosha balancing aromatherapy soap from the Chopra Center

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Via Italia
There's something about the word "Italy" that conjures images of rolling hills, sunsets, and an elegantly casual lifestyle. That's why Italian home accents have become a popular addition to many homes in Southern California. The new online store Aloico-Sicilian Home Decor offers a large selection of timeless Italian ceramics from Sicily. "Most people are used to seeing decorative ceramics from the central and northern regions, but there hasn't been as much exposure for the unique artistry and talent that comes from the beautiful ceramic Mecca of Caltagirone," says Marchelle Crumes, spokesperson for Aloico. These ceramic pieces are made of clay that is mined from the Sicilian mountains, hand-molded by ceramic masters, and then left to dry under the sun. Each piece is painstakingly painted in color combinations ranging from fiery reds and sunny golds to regal blues and mystic greens. (866/325-6426, www.aloico.com) - Tanja Kern

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Window Dressings
Tourists and locals alike flock to the Hotel del Coronado to take in a bit of history. Much of the attraction's appeal is the attention given to maintaining its Victorian design and decor. In an effort to create architectural detail and privacy for its guests, hotel management at the Del recently turned to Shuttermart to design and install custom shutters for nearly 100 of the hotel's historic rooms. Shuttermart, a 50-year-old San Diego company, offers free in-home design services for wood or vinyl shutters in residential spaces, too. The shutters are custom-fit and finished with environmentally-safe paints and varnishes. (800/417-4888, www.buyshuttermart.com) - Tanja Kern