When the Time Came for a Hermosa Beach Family to Build the Home of Their Dreams, the Right Collaboration Made All the Difference

That’s why after years of paying their dues, curating the right team to help them build the home they’d always wanted in the location they’d grown to love was paramount. The result is a stunning, beach-facing abode that masterfully maximizes every inch of the lot. And it was well worth the wait.

Finding space and a sense of privacy in a densely populated beach community is always a challenge. Having someone with a comprehensive understanding of how to creatively navigate those challenges is invaluable. Which is why Jon Starr, owner of Starr Design Group, was such an integral part of this process.

“The complexity is we live so close together that it’s difficult to create privacy, allow daylight and feel like you’re in your own personal space.”

But it’s the owner’s creativity and willingness to think outside the box that really brought it all together. “[The family] had the vision; we just explored it and made it a reality,” Jon says.

Part of that vision included making their long and narrow lot feel both spacious and private. “The complexity is we live so close together that it’s difficult to create privacy, allow daylight and feel like you’re in your own personal space,” Jon explains.

Thoughtfully placed skylights and windows allow indirect sunlight to pour in without losing privacy. But it’s the courtyard revealed within the second level of the home where Jon’s creativity and his clients’ openness to step outside the norm really shine.

Unlike the energy of the sundrenched courtyard that leads to the entry of the home, this outdoor space creates an entirely different mood. It’s a private sanctuary tucked away for its residents to enjoy—and another way the interior and exterior areas of the home blend seamlessly together. “It defines indoor/outdoor living,” notes Rini Kundu of Rini Kundu Interiors. “Jon’s work is always directional and inspiring.”

Bringing that work to life was Chris Lombardi and his team at Lombardi Construction. “Chris is incredibly patient,” Rini says. “He’s very calm and great at problem-solving. He’s one of the GOATs of the area. He understands that we may want to explore different ideas, see samples or experiment.”

When describing the project, Chris says he believes the owners maximized the full potential of the site. “They didn’t have to do an extra basement level, and they didn’t have to do a roof deck,” he says.

But with the basement they gained a gym, sauna, wine storage and media room. The unobstructed views from the rooftop deck aren’t bad either. But there are a lot of moving parts that go into building a four-level home on a lot that’s 30 feet wide and 100 feet long.

“We have to follow a specific workflow and sequence when we put a building that big on a lot that small. A lot of care has to go into doing it delicately, so we don’t impact the neighbors negatively,” Chris explains.

“Chris is such a great builder,” Jon says. “He is so involved in every detail and really cares.”

The house is set back on the lot, allowing the front courtyard and walkway to serve as the home’s initial introduction. The owners had admired the work of Jones Landscapes for years, so it was a dream to have the firm provide their landscape design.

“Rob Jones’ gardens are often the first ‘wow’ factor you see,” Rini notes. “I loved the simplicity and balance he created.”

That balance continues as you enter the home. “Even though there are a lot of whites and neutrals—a sort of contemporary Scandinavian feel—where there is color, it’s quite bright. It’s relevant for the space, and it works,” Rini explains.

Like Jon’s experience working with the owners on home design, Rini found collaborating with them on the interior inspiring. “It’s not often you get to work with someone with such great taste that’s open to experimenting,” she says.  “That was nice—a luxury.”

Playful pops of color have an even greater impact when they’re sprinkled in an otherwise neutral palette. “The owners had a distinct vision of color, texture and tile they wanted to explore, resulting in a lot of high-impact areas,” Rini explains. “They wanted to walk into a space and be excited by it.”

Even a breakfast nook can be the star of the show with the right patterns and tones. It feels fun but also thoughtful and deliberate.

It’s hard not to see the benefits of a cohesive collaboration when you walk through a completed project. There’s a synergy that’s impossible to fake. The house, despite its size, feels intimate and inviting. Every opportunity to make the most of their outdoor space was taken. The interior feels both impossibly cool and effortlessly casual. It’s Southern California living at its finest.