Spanish Moorish style: L.A. design traditions inspire our Southern California Idea House

Sunset, Oct, 2004 by Ann Bertelsen

This year's two Idea Houses explore very different architectural styles, but each suits its region and climate. Stand in the living room of the Southern California house, for example, and you might think you're in southern Spain. That's because of the creamy plaster walls, thick archways, extensive tile-work, and patios. Overlooking an oak preserve in the Westridge Estates neighborhood of Valencia, the house puts the romance back in comfort.

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Designed by Newport Beach, California, architects Dave George and Martin Rincon of Architopia, and built by Mike Blaha of HyMax Building Corp., the home takes inspiration from the 1920s and '30s houses of Los Angeles architect Wallace Neff, who loved Spanish Moorish architecture.

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The contemporary twist becomes apparent where the front hall opens to an outdoor room, complete with a fireplace. One side of the room is open to the yard, the other has folding floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

Santa Monica-based interior designers Janet Carpenter and Kathy Weber of Artistic Environments aimed for ample storage, comfortable informality, and an uncluttered look.

Landscape designer Nick Williams positioned a pool, spa, and outdoor kitchen to act as destinations at the edge of the rear yard, closest to the view of rolling hills. For source information, see the resources list on page 105.

Outdoor room

A fireplace, cushioned seating, and floor tiles that mimic an Oriental rug blur the distinction between inside and outside.

Outdoor kitchen appliances: GE Monogram Collection

Tiles: Classic Tile & Mosaic

Spanish accents

Echoes of Andalusia appear in the observation tower, ornamental riser tiles, and inset medallion tiles. Even the artwork has a tile look: The four yellow, green, orange, and brown squares are actually canvas paintings.

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Spiral staircase

Curving up to the top-floor observation tower, these stairs start in the retreat area off the master bedroom. The window seat is softened with pillows custom-made from a sun-resistant outdoor fabric. The round ottoman doubles as a coffee table. A cobalt blue hanging lamp reinforces the Moroccan atmosphere.

Windows: Marvin Windows and Doors

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Living room

"You don't have to crowd a room with lots of layers to achieve elegance and comfort," explains interior designer Kathy Weber. The main elements are creamy white walls, clean-lined furniture, and subtly colored accents in pillows, window panels, and blinds.

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Cooking patterns

Designed to be functional and eye-catching at the same time, the kitchen and adjacent breakfast nook combine plain and patterned surfaces. Simple floating shelves display a collection of bowls and plates above the kitchen counter. Perimeter counters are made of a nutmeg-colored solid surface material called Richlite made from recycled paper. The undercounter cabinets are painted an antique white, but those in the center island have a rich red hue that offsets the island's Carrara marble countertop. The hand-stenciled ceiling of the breakfast nook complements the kitchen's backsplash tiles, visually tying both spaces together.

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Kitchen

The dual-fuel commercial-style range and stainless steel hood make a striking contrast to the plank floors, molded cabinetry, and Moorish-inspired embossed tile backsplash.

Appliances: GE Monogram Collection

Cookware: Anolon

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Breakfast nook

This space, just off the kitchen, occupies the first floor of the tower. The round table repeats the ceiling's curve, emphasizing the uniqueness of the space. Small wall art works best on a curving surface like this because it appears to hang flush.

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Bedroom details

The finishes and furnishings of the master suite create a modern retreat.

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* Textured paint. Resembling Venetian plaster, the paint creates a mottled surface, adding richness.

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* Pillow patterns. The grid on the wheat-colored shams matches the motifs in the headboard and the tile.

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* Drapery panels. A broad white hemline visually scales down the tall lavender silk curtains.

Master bedroom

The bedding is soft and chic. The neutral-colored pillow shams and coverlet contrast with the white paisley duvet and make the king-size platform bed less imposing.

Wall treatment: Portola Paints & Glazes

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Master bath

The frameless mirror appears to float over the wheat, lavender, and gray mosaic backsplash tiles, which repeat the colors in the bedroom. A bar stool is used as a chair for the high vanity. Quartz-surface countertops contrast with the dark cabinetry.

Counters: DuPont Zodiaq

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Floor plan

Bedroom balconies overlook the driveway and, with the tile roof, exposed timbers, and smooth walls, establish the Mediterranean style of the house. The rear of the house opens to the garden through a long loggia.