The Meridian’s outside plaza is complete with a citrus grove, formal gardens, intimate alcoves for lounging in the sun, firepits, barbeques, spas, and the central swimming pool

Banner image above:The main staircase is finished with wrought iron as it leads up to the second floor, where natural light pores into the center of the home from a large open room framed by windows overlooking the city

Castle In The Sky
We have all seen the difference in a hillside when a developer plans a community with little to no variation in design or floor plan from one house to another. On the other hand, when land is allowed to be sensitively developed for custom homes, homogeneous monotony is never a factor and homeowners, as well as the community, benefit. So why is suburban sprawl relevant to a mansion designed within the urban fabric, stories off the ground? Because what many of us may not know is that residential high-rises, while the building’s exterior elevations may not prove to be as immediate an indicator as the view of a hillside, fall victim to the same choice at the onset of their creation. Will every floor be a cookie-cutter replica of the one above and below? Or will uniqueness, variation, custom details, originality, and spatial flow be considered for each individual living space? The choice was made with superb distinction in the case of The Meridian in downtown San Diego, and this showcased home is an exceptional testament to uncompromised custom design.

It has been argued that the act of arriving home is an important component for setting the stage for life’s intimate details. How one’s senses are affected by an entrance and progression to one’s home is especially important when the home is located in the heart of a city. Arriving into an underground parking garage is not necessarily warm and inviting, and while many downtown buildings have eliminated personal interaction, human contact, and street activation, The Meridian was designed knowing the importance of that first impression, even when it is a day in/day out experience.

Upon arrival, residents and guests are greeted at their car by friendly staff who not only take the car, but also retrieve any bags, groceries, or other remains of the day, no matter the time of day or night. While the elegant lobby is a great transition between the outside world and private life, it is not until passing through the front-door threshold that one recognizes why this home has earned the name Castle in the Sky. The entrance foyer is distinctly illuminated by rich hues of stained glass spanning overhead, laid into hand-carved wood moldings and beams. The home’s unfaltering use of wood and marble gives a royal weight and volume to the space; with stunning architectural detailing, on-site crafted corbels, cornices, and other accoutrements.

The first floor of this two-story sky dwelling has a wraparound patio with accessibility to the building’s outside plaza complete with a citrus grove, formal gardens, intimate alcoves for lounging in the sun, and entertaining areas finished with firepits, barbeques, spas, and the central swimming pool. With two-thirds of an acre of outside space, enjoying leisure time couldn’t be easier. And the building’s amenities don’t end there — entertaining has been made a priority in the design of this home as well.

Deep wood coffered ceilings span over the central living and entertaining areas, where formal dining sits adjacent to the wall of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and the grand piano. Competing for center stage is the majestic fireplace, stone mantel, and the great expanse of glass, offering views one would expect from such a height. Finished with richly-woven fabric curtains, priceless antiques, and imported textiles, were it not for all of the natural light afforded by contemporary design, the materials and soaring ceiling heights are certainly reminiscent of the romantic notion of a castle.

The beautiful William Oh classic kitchen design with accents of mosaic patterns and brick is set against an earthy honeycomb-patterned floor. In the main living area, the floor transitions into hand-distressed red oak. Herringbone marble inlay and hand-painted tile can also be found in various parts of the home. The main staircase is finished with wrought iron as it leads up to the second floor, where natural light pores into the center of the home from a large open room framed by windows overlooking the city. Located upstairs is the master bedroom and bath elegantly fitted with silk and cashmere, stunning marble inlay spanning from the large Jacuzzi tub to the rich wood of the walk-in closet. The locally handcrafted architecture of this home left no room out, as even the guestrooms are complete with just as much marble work and architectural finesse as the rest of the home. This property is currently on the market, listed with Trudy Stambook of Centre City Properties. (619/231-0777, www.centrecityproperties.com) — Lauren Bender, photography by Roberto Zeballos

Mediterranean Style
No time for a weeklong getaway to the Greek Isles, Italy, or Spain? No worries, Mediterranean-style decor can bring that feeling of vacation home. Terra cotta tiles are a prime backdrop for Southern California residences, particularly handmade ones embellished with patterns or designs. Antique pitchers and planters make great focal points both inside and out on the patio. Wine is a culture in the region, so grape-themed motifs are always appropriate. — Tanja Kern, photo by Vincent Knakal

Antique pitcher/planter from Simply Italian in Little Italy; antique terra cotta tile from Classic Tile & Mosaic in Little Italy; green topiary, iron bird votive, and Laguiole en Aubrac malachite wine opener from Che Bella Nido in Little Italy; and faux pumpkins and grapes from Gardenology in Encinitas

Urban Renewal
There’s a cosmopolitan air about downtown design, and it’s no wonder that more decorators have embraced more dignified interiors. While not everyone is ready to downsize from a sprawling estate in the California countryside to a chic downtown loft, you can incorporate the look and feel with a few modern pieces.
— Tanja Kern, photo by Vincent Knakal

Wood tray and white decanter/vase from Mixture in Little Italy; wood bowls, salad tongs, Haussman blanket, and bird’s nest lamp from Che Bella Nido in Little Italy

Italy; and faux pumpkins and grapes from Gardenology in Encinitas

Not Just Talk
With all the buzz we hear about eco-this and earth-friendly that, not many companies actually practice what they preach. Nativa home store hopes to change that with the opening of a new location on University Avenue in San Diego, which will be powered with 156 solar panels installed on the building’s roof. Nativa’s founder and CEO Mario Scolari has always emphasized eco-friendly manufacturing principles, and the company’s $225,000 solar investment is a natural extension of its insistence on using sustainable wood sources for all of its products. "The way we create furniture supports a traditional way of life for many people and helps preserve the Amazon rainforest and its indigenous people," Scolari says. In addition to energy savings, the new Nativa store features reclaimed antique hardwood floors for its interior, as well as water-based paints. (888/662-8482,
www.nativa-online.com) — Tanja Kern