Emily and Jonathan Kashare had been admiring Lane Design + Build’s homes for a while, unbeknownst to them. “We basically had been following [their] work for a while before we knew it was the same architect,” Emily says. “Just for fun—and because we were looking—we would go to different open houses, and a handful were new builds. We loved all the finishes and the quality, and the style seemed to be pretty consistent.”
After a bit of research revealed who was behind the homes they were drawn to, the Kashares were ready to work with Lane Design + Build on the new home for their family of four.
Already residents of Redondo Beach, the Kashares wanted to stay in the area. The goal was to find a teardown on a large lot so they could start their project from scratch. After multiple bids, they found an ideal property—large enough to provide a surprisingly private yard and, as an added bonus, a panoramic view of the Pacific from the top deck. “We lucked out on the lot,” Emily notes.
The style of the home is “fairly transitional,” she says. “There are some classic elements we wanted to maintain, and then we added some modern finishes.” Split-level with a subterranean garage, the home boasts major curb appeal.
“I grew up in the South and went to college in upstate New York,” Emily notes. “One of the things I recognized across all of the homes is that they were very garage-centric, and I wasn’t used to that. I didn’t want a garage front, so we tried to bury it as much as possible.” A hint of greenery in the driveway and a relatively large deck located directly above draw attention from the garage as well.
Walking into the home, the space feels lofty and bright. “You’ll notice through the house that we really prioritize the light even to the expense of wall space,” Emily notes.
The family bedrooms and the laundry room are all located on the lower level with direct access to a large yet very private yard from the master suite. A short set of stairs lead to a living room that opens to a large, breezy deck overlooking the front of the home.
The next level is the main hub of the house. Light pours in from every angle including the large skylights located on the vaulted ceilings above. “This is really what I mean when I say we went all out on the light,” Emily points out. “It feels a bit like a tree house up here.”
The floors are French white oak complemented by soft tones of grey that at times give the illusion of blue. The kitchen, the family room and a large outdoor deck blend seamlessly into one cohesive space—perfect for entertaining. The fireplace and windows on the deck make the outdoor space appear to be another room of the house.
The kitchen is gorgeous but also functional, with ample space for a family that loves to cook. The lights are from local artist Jamie Young. “We picked all the finishes,” Emily says. “The fireplaces, the master and the two kids’ baths all have Carrara marble, as well as the kitchen,” she adds. “We wanted it to be cohesive.”
The technology in the house lives in a built-in office space with cabinets that offer airflow through decorative cutouts. The children’s artwork is sweetly displayed on the walls. The fourth bedroom, featuring vaulted ceilings, is also used as an office.
A final set of stairs leads to the highest point of the home—and perhaps its most surprising reveal. A small wet bar opens to a third deck with sweeping ocean views. With plans to add a built-in grill, the space provides another social hub for the Kashares to entertain. The elevator offers accessibility to each level of the house.
With a unique vision for the style and layout they were hoping to achieve, working with Lane Design + Build from the outset enabled the Kashares to bring their concept to fruition. “We talked about the floor plan together, and they took what we wanted and made it come to life,” Emily says. “They’ve been really wonderful. They did everything from design to build.”
The result is a charming and welcoming abode that masterfully utilizes the space of the home, maximizing the value of every square foot.
