Santa Monica

On my first visit to this Spanish-style bungalow in the Santa Monica flats, I walked into what appeared to be a little cottage then through into what could be a small addition to London’s Tate Gallery, with west-facing windows and soaring ceilings. Through the French doors was a yard that I could see in my mind’s eye as the courtyard of a Moroccan riad. A detached garage had been semi-converted into a home gym and could be redesigned to make a guest cottage.

But what really sealed the deal was the modern two-story structure at the back of the plot. This space, with its polished concrete floors, sliding wooden doors, and vast windows, would make an extraordinary home office. It was love at first sight, and I jumped through every hoop to acquire what would become my new home.

Renovations started, and I became project manager, architect, and landscaper — having over-spent to acquire the property, I had to wear a lot of hats. But the fun of doing this house was that I could renovate it in one fell swoop and bring my vision to life. Having three boys, one thing I was determined to have was a generously sized kitchen and family room where Oscar, Otis, Louis, and their friends could sprawl on the sofa watching the ball game while I cooked supper on my ever-loyal AGA. 

The finished house draws together all the separate strands of my life: family, creativity, travel, and motherhood.