This two-story beach house features an infinity pool and spa on its basement level. PHOTO BY CHAD MELLON
Brandon Architects used steel and floor-to-ceiling glass panels to create a gridlike theme throughout this modern Dana Point beach house.
Steel grid lines adorn the windows PHOTO BY CHAD MELLON
In December 2017, Brandon Architects’ Christopher Brandon (brandonarchitects.com) set out to create a modern California beach cottage that would have timeless qualities and make the most of its scenic location in The Strand at Headlands, a private enclave of oceanfront homes. “The Strand at Dana Point is one of the last remaining land developments along the California coastline that still has undeveloped, vacant lots,” says Brandon. “The site is one of a kind, featuring intimate views of the headland bluff that defines the coastline of The Strand. Architecturally, we designed the home to draw the view throughout the home from the primary living spaces to the front door.”
Sliding doors in the great room create an indoor-outdoor flow PHOTO BY CHAD MELLON
Brandon used traditional materials in a contemporary way to maximize sightlines and create an open floor plan in this 8,329-square-foot, two-story home featuring an additional basement level. “The exterior materials consist of 4-inch horizontal clapboard siding painted white—which contrasts sharply with exposed steel and metal cladding as well as natural white oak and brick veneer,” Brandon says. He adopted a more traditional architectural style in creating gridlike lines that frame the front and rear views—and serve as a theme carried through the property. “The window and door package required the use of steel in order to accomplish the thin, lacy grid lines, or mullions, which add a delicate detail level throughout the home. As you enter the front, the grid lines slowly grow in size until you reach the great room and [primary] at the rear, where there are floor-to-ceiling unbroken glass panels.”
The airy kitchen features floating pendants by Troy Lighting District. PHOTO BY CHAD MELLON
The grid scheme also influenced how interior designer Summer Jensen of Hawk & Co (hawkandco.com) approached the five-bedroom, nine-bath property. “We embraced the ‘power of the line,’” Jensen says. “How a line can help define space. How, with a line, negative space can all of a sudden have meaning.”
Five en suite bedrooms are found throughout the home PHOTO BY CHAD MELLON
Upon walking into the entry level, an atrium-style foyer leads to a feature wall with a three-dimensional grid pattern of gray brick behind a cantilevered staircase. “[It’s] three stories and connects each floor with a breezy, sophisticated vibe,” Jensen says. Inspired by a Euro farmhouse, Jensen employed a clean black, white and nude color scheme and an ascending formality concept. “The lowest level became an extension of our pool deck, or like a beach club. As you rise through the home, it gets more dressy per floor.”
A gray brick feature wall flaunts a three-dimensional pattern PHOTO BY CHAD MELLON
The lowest level boasts a large deck with an infinity pool and spa—plus resortlike entertaining amenities such as a media room, chic bar, wine cellar, gym and intimate theater with RH Pauillac sconces. The entry level contains an office (or fifth bedroom) with a bathroom; a formal dining room with sliding doors; a kitchen with floating Troy Lighting District mini pendant lights and a separate butler’s pantry; and a great room with a dazzling Burke Decor Nuevo pendant light and sliding wall panels to control privacy and create an indoor-outdoor flow. “This is a home designed for entertaining and flexibility,” Brandon says. The entry level also houses a three-car garage with a lift for additional two-car subterranean storage.
Along with three en suite secondary bedrooms, the top level contains the stunning primary suite—a 1,330-square-foot space with a balcony, plus a bath flaunting dual walk-in closets and a mammoth glass-encased shower and tub. “I’m really fond of how, from the seamless marble tub and shower, you can always see the ocean,” Jensen says.
A Koncept Sub LED chandelier hangs in the office PHOTO BY CHAD MELLON
Pacific Staging supplied the furniture, and playful artwork came by way of L.A.-based artist Crime By Design. “[It] brought an added level of grit and edge to the residence,” says Jensen, who finished work in May 2021 on the Genova Construction (@genovaconstruction) project, which sold in October 2021 by Compass’ Arlen Raubach (compass.com) for an icy $17 million.
“THIS HOUSE IS FOR THE ELITE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT. WITH MINIMALISM, EACH ALIGNMENT IS KEY.” –SUMMER JENSEN, INTERIOR DESIGNER, HAWK & CO
The primary bath features dual sinks and Pacific views. PHOTO BY CHAD MELLON
“This was created for a repeat client who knew he wanted to make a special home—this house is not for everyone,” Jensen says. “This house is for the elite who know what they are looking at. With minimalism, each alignment is key.”
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