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manhattan beach
J
Breaking Out of
A once-unadorned
box in Manhattan
Beach goes through
a 10-year remodel,
and the results are
anything but square.
X Marks the Spot
“It’s a completely different
house from when we
moved in. The only thing
that has been a constant
is the steel structure,” Kari
Boiler says of her home’s
striking frame and oceanview decks. “We loved the
dramatic steel X beams
and how they connected
all three floors.”
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CALIFORNIAHOMEDESIGN.com january 2012
By Kira Coplin
photography by jeremy samuelson
styling by sunday hendrickson
ohn and Kari Boiler already had a lot on their plates
when they first laid eyes on a steel-frame home in
Manhattan Beach. Each was head of a high-profile, fastgrowing company—not to mention parent to two small
children. A cofounder of and partner at an advertising
agency, John was immersed in the development of campaigns for big brands such as Nike. As president of Bugaboo for
the Americas, Kari was busy turning the stroller into a celebrity
must-have after getting one featured on Sex and the City before
the product even hit the States. Yet they decided to buy the house,
despite the fact that it needed some serious work. “Although it
wasn’t in the best condition, we loved all the glass, the open plan
and the steel structure,” says Kari. “We knew the house would
eventually let us live life inside and outside, which was something
we really desired.” And so, despite their already-demanding schedules, the Boilers found themselves taking on a home improvement
challenge of epic proportions.
The home had gone through numerous modifications over the years, none of which hit the
mark for the couple. They tapped architect James
R. Meyer of Lean Arch to help them meet their
goals of restoring and enhancing the building’s
best architectural elements and adding some
extra square footage—such as a roof deck—that
would be both functional and fun.
The team left no surface untouched, executing the remodel in three separate phases that
stretched over a period of 10 years. “Without
changing its footprint, we had to take it down
to the sand,” recalls Kari. The existing bamboo
floors were stripped and repaired, and a new
graphite stain was applied. The electrical and
plumbing systems were upgraded, and most of
the existing exterior was refinished or replaced. The biggest challenge, however, was the
conversion of a tiny, third-floor guest room into a
new master suite. “There was no bathroom, no closet—it was basically just a pass-through space to get to the deck on the north side
of the house,” says Meyer, who chose complementary, lightweight
elements to extend the home’s original steel frame, and used environmentally friendly aluminum channels in the ceiling to add
some material interest to the newly expanded room.
In addition to space planning and functional upgrades, the
overhaul also presented a more inviting opportunity: to completely
rethink the interior finishes, furnishings and color scheme. Rachel
Gilmore, owner and designer of Montreal’s Monkland Tavern, was a
family friend whose style the Boilers had long admired. Her own home
blended her sharp sense of fashion with an in-depth understanding of
interiors, so Kari approached her to assist with the project.
“It was easy to take the design elements in this house to the
next level, because Kari and John were not afraid to take risks,” says
Gilmore. “Color is probably one of the most important aspects of
this design.” Gilmore mixed colors and styles—such as glittering
metallics with bright Missoni prints, and baroque accessories with
industrial fixtures. “Lighting is my favorite element,” Gilmore confesses. She kept it simple in some spaces, using just a silver-tipped
bulb in the kitchen, and then installed a large statement fixture—
an asymmetrical pendant—in the adjacent dining room. “It’s the
conversation between the two pieces that’s most important.”
After a decade of essentially living on a construction site, the
Boilers are amazed by their home’s metamorphosis. “It was so
painful at times,” says Kari. “But now that it’s done, we can say it
was completely worth it.”
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Prized Possessions
“John did his thesis on
Charles and Ray Eames,
so he wanted to own
some of his favorite
pieces,” Kari says of the
rosewood Eames lounge
chair and ottoman that
sit opposite a B&B Italia
sofa and Missoni ottoman
in the living room. “They
were the first design
pieces we could afford.”
“Although
it wasn’t in
the best
condition,
we loved all
the glass, the
open plan
and the steel
structure.”
Compact Cooking
“It’s the major thoroughfare
in our house, so although
small, the space gets a
lot of traffic,” Kari says of
the galley-style kitchen.
Playful green cabinetry by
Bontempi CucineCabinets
helps maximize available
space, and a single long
white countertop visually
connects the kitchen with
the dining room. “The
bold colors and custom
elements help make it
part of our total living
space rather than just the
kitchen,” says Kari.
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CALIFORNIAHOMEDESIGN.com january 2012
Chalk It Up
A wall in the stairwell near
the front entrance was
finished with chalkboard
paint, and now provides
a space for both children
and adults to doodle.
“It captures really fun,
spontaneous moments.
Sometimes when friends
are on their way out the
door they will draw a
funny picture or leave a
quote. It really puts the
importance of friends and
family front and center,”
says Kari. “I don’t ever
walk by without smiling.”
Dinner and a Show
“They provide some comfortable theatrics for our dinner guests,” Kari says of
the baroque crown molding and 3 Arm Industrial Chandelier by Workstead. A
10-foot-long walnut table designed by Asher Israelow is surrounded by black
Saarinen Tulip chairs and contemporary works by artist Jim Riswold.
before When the Boilers first saw the house, it was a dingy, uninteresting white box. But they saw potential in certain elements.
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67
“We knew
the house
would
eventually
let us live
life inside
and outside,
which was
something
we really
desired.”
Rooms with a View
“Our bedroom is an oasis
of comfort,” Kari says of
the intimate yet open
design. “Summer or
winter, I’m always happy
to be there.” Built-in
cabinets made from
reclaimed wood were
custom designed to
complement and soften
the modern architecture.
Architect James R.
Meyer made the interior
rooms appear more
spacious by connecting
them to the outside
through large openings.
Super Natural
Reclaimed wood from old
bowling alleys and barns
was used throughout the
house. The custom mantel
in the living room, by District
Millworks in downtown Los
Angeles, is finished with ecofriendly materials and brings
warmth to the modern room.
Open House
“We had spent our lives
in small bedrooms and
baths, so opening them
to each other made the
space more inspiring,” Kari
says. “And yes, we are
hedonists, so we wanted a
steam shower and ample
bath.” Accents such as a
reclaimed-wood vanity,
brightly patterned towels
and floor-to-ceiling hemp
linen curtains from Junie
Moon Creations lend
personality to the space.
before The couple was enamored with the structure’s striking steel frame, dramatic spiral staircase and glass-walled breezeway.
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