Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Friday, Mar 29, 2024

Italianate Classicism Meets Laid-Back Beach Vibes in This Orange County Home

Italianate Classicism Meets Laid-Back Beach Vibes in This Orange County Home

Custom furnishings, sculptural fittings, and abundant marble accents punctuate this courtyard-style dwelling’s mix of formality and ease.

When it came time to build their dream home, the owners of this Newport Beach property asked the teams at EBTA Architects and Irvine-based Xander Noori Design to create a courtyard-style, seaside residence with a touch of northern Italian classicism. The interiors firm, who had worked with the couple on their previous home, added another layer to the plan: The coastal setting, they reasoned, also called for something airy, laid back, and distinctly Californian. "We call it soft modern," says creative director Xander Noori of the aesthetic he had in mind. And so, he and managing director Keon Khajavi-Noori got to work infusing the interiors with both casual, Orange County vibes and a hint of formal grandeur.



From the entryway, you can see straight through the home to one of the couple’s favorite sculptures. Beyond that is nothing but ocean. "It’s like a framed picture," says Khajavi-Noori of the design’s opening gesture.

Noori’s creative vision steered away from minimalism: The design team brought the space to life with interesting textures, layered textiles, warm wood, and swathes of cool stone. The home is a study in materiality and classic proportions-from the custom-designed furniture and sleek fixtures by House of Rohl to the painterly, veined marble in nearly every room.

The couple’s books and art collection-what Khajavi-Noori calls "touchy-feely" things that add character to the space-feature prominently in the design. "You want to experience them with all of your senses," he explains.



A contemporary sculpture by Karim Rashid from the couple’s art collection is showcased beneath the home’s formal-style portico, which, like the rest of the exterior, takes cues from northern Italian-style classicism.

Although the residence features panoramic views, it’s still very private. Picture windows open to rolling hills on one side and sweeping ocean views on the other. There’s nary a neighbor in sight. "Every room in this house-especially the sleeping quarters-is a view room," says Khajavi-Noori.



Noori designed most of the home’s furnishings, including the breakfast table (shown), which features a flush-set lazy Susan made of marble, and tub-shaped dining chairs inspired by William Platner’s midcentury designs.



The multiport custom chandelier by Hammerton was designed to resemble a cascade of ice.



"Our inspiration for the pool design was for it to lay like mirror in the yard and simply reflect views of the sky," says Noori.

The entryway’s pivot door swings open to reveal a series of thresholds that lead the eye straight through the home to the horizon over the ocean. "People are surprised when they come in the door," says Noori. In the great room, five NanaWalls of glass peel away to connect the shared spaces with the outdoor living areas. "We can take advantage of the Southern California weather here-the warm days, the ocean breeze that flows right through the house," he adds.



The main bedroom showcases rift-cut oak millwork in the large closets, bronze mirror accents, and integrated lighting.



A lounge adjacent to the main bedroom features a fireplace and a bar with sculptural faucets by House of Rohl.



A neutral color palette accented with black and citrusy hues flows through the interiors.

While classical in scale and lavish in material application, the home’s interiors skew more contemporary. Noori designed 75 percent of the furniture, creating a cohesive aesthetic enhanced by sophisticated touches like Italian-stitched leather upholstery and Calacatta Gold marble sourced from Milan.



A section of the custom cabinetry in the kitchen features striking, half-circle bronze pulls. Noori chose the double Executive Chef sink by House of Rohl for its simple form and high performance.

Basaltina and limestone from Portugal were also carefully selected for the project, and the standout plumbing fixtures throughout the home came from House of Rohl, a longtime Noori favorite. In the kitchen, for instance, the brand's Lux faucet and Executive Chef sink look sleek, and they create a focal point at the stone-topped island-ideal for the homeowners’ entertaining needs.

The powder room’s Kaldera sink and Eclissi faucet bring a balanced, clean look to the space. In the primary suite’s bathroom, the integrated Riobel waterfall shower head adds spa-like indulgence inspired by a hotel Noori once visited.



Noori paired the powder room's marble-topped vanity with a Kaldera sink and Eclissi faucet by House of Rohl. Vertical-set tile by Sonoma Tilemakers adds warmth to the scheme.

While it’s a big residence, it remains warm and welcoming all the same. The rooms are gorgeous yet still beckon you to sit down and stay awhile. Noori says: "Our clients live on the razor’s edge of their industries, but at the end of the day, they wanted the residence to feel homey."

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Reports in Gaza: 5 dead from the impact of aid packages dropped by the USA
Apple warns against drying iPhones with rice
China Criticizes US for Vetoing UN Ceasefire Resolution in Gaza
In a recent High Court hearing, the U.S. argued that Julian Assange endangered lives by releasing classified information.
The U.S. vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, instead proposing its own six-week ceasefire plan contingent upon the release of all hostages held by Hamas
Prince William Urges End to Gaza Conflict
Saudi Arabia ranks first in UN index for e-government services in MENA
Israel has gone ‘beyond self-defence’ in Gaza, says Labour’s Streeting
EU Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza Conflict
Israel Records 20% Drop In GDP, War In Gaza Is The Reason
Saudi Arabia's FDI Inflows Grow with New International Standards
Venture Capitals Power Up Across MENA Region
Saudi Arabia Introduces Terms for 30-Year Income Tax Exemption for Multinational Companies
Saudi FM: Establishing Palestinian state is only pathway for Mideast stability
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny has died at the Arctic prison colony
Elon Musk's Starlink Gets License For Israel, Parts Of Gaza
Influencers Exploit X Platform for Profit Amidst Israel-Gaza Conflict
PM Modi Announces Opening Of New CBSE Office In Dubai
International Criminal Court's Chief "Deeply Concerned" By Rafah Bombing
January Funding for MENA Startups Totals $86.5 Million
Saudi Arabia accelerates digital economy growth through Nvidia partnership
Indian female military officers commend Saudi Arabia's progress and women's empowerment
Israel unveils tunnels underneath Gaza City headquarters of UN agency for Palestinian refugees
Israel deploys new military AI in Gaza war
Egypt threatens to suspend key peace treaty if Israel pushes into Gaza border town, officials say
Israel Utilizes AI Military Technology in Gaza Conflict
Saudi Arabia Warns Of A "Humanitarian Catastrophe" If Israel Moves On Rafah
China Warns Iran to Halt Houthi Attacks or Damage Trade Ties
US University To Shut Qatar Campus Due To "Heightened Mideast Instability"
Iran-backed hackers interrupt UAE TV streaming services with deepfake news
Facebook and Instagram Ban Iran's Supreme Leader
Finnish Airline, Finnair, is voluntarily weighing passengers to better estimate flight cargo weight
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken: The Israelis underwent dehumanization on 7.10, this does not give them the right to do this to others.
Defense Technology Showcase Held in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports rise 2.5% to $6bn in November 2023: GASTAT
UK Bans Misleading "Zero Emissions" Claims for Electric Cars
Gaza's Teen Inventor Sparks Light in Displacement
Netanyahu Rejects Ceasefire Proposal, Insists On Total Victory Over Hamas
Guterres appoints independent UNRWA review panel
Private Sector Employment Hits Record High with Over 11 Million Employees in January
Rolls-Royce Executive Encourages Saudi Women to Tap into Their Inner 'Superhero' for Success in Defense Industry
Saudi Arabia launches National Academy of Vehicles and Cars
Saudi Tourism Minister Reveals Plan for 250,000 New Hotel Rooms by 2030
SAR to more than double eastern network passenger capacity with new trains deal
Saudi Arabia Enhances National Defense with New Partnerships
Saudi Aramco Maintains Arab Light Crude Pricing to Asia for March
NEOM Establishes New York Office to Support Investors
Saudi Wealth Fund Draws in Over $25 Billion Worth of Investments in Three Years, Al-Rumayyan Reveals
ZATCA Cautions Against Scammer Schemes
INTRA Defense Technologies inaugurates drone factory in Riyadh
×