Perch in the Pines

La Jolla, CA

A full renovation and addition located on one of La Jolla’s most coveted and private ocean-front areas, this 1920s home is one of the original architectural jewels of this section of coastline: a bluff-hugging Spanish-style home with unparalleled ocean views, along with the iconic Torrey pines and wildlife that thrive here.

What was a warren of small rooms with occasionally compromised ocean views is now an open-plan home that embraces its setting at every turn. As soon as you walk in off the street, the wow moment grips you as you catch a glimpse of the 180-degree views of the ocean through the double sets of tall glass and steel doors. The kitchen, once completely enclosed behind doors and cut off from the rest of home, now hugs the quaint entry courtyard while maintaining complete openness to the rest of the main living areas. By digging down and lowering the lower level by a foot, we were able to transform a rather dark living space into a bright and airy game room/guest suite. The millwork and lighting were the cornerstones of the project, allowing us to bring Old World ethos into a more streamlined approach to Spanish architecture while preserving all of its soul.