Built in 1952, the home is like an example of modern architecture. It has long lines, huge bright windows, and an open-plan design. The house is located in bright and sunny hills of Santa Monica, and it definitely brings calm with all the muted colors and natural materials, which make it feel like a quiet luxury. “The space has a very organic feel, which is a perfect balance for the chaos of my day-to-day,” says Marissa. “When you’re constantly surrounded by color and pattern, you need a space that can provide rest for the eyes and mind.”
Minimalism with a Mid-century Influence
The theology of restraint is everywhere visible in this home of the couple. It was contemporary styled when they moved in with dark cabinetry and showy finishes, but Marissa and Adam said they wanted to soak the house with its original glory but filtered with their own touch of understated elegance. “We wanted a timeless feel, a place where we could escape to from outside,” says Adam.
One of the first changes they made was stripping the walls back to expose the iconic redwood paneling that had been painted over with a thick layer of white during the midrenovation. After months of sanding, the gorgeous rich warm wood now dominates the interior, creating a cozy grounding feel. They chose to keep as is, however, the original terrazzo floors of the house, which add a touch of classic luxury but without being overly precious. “This space had to feel refined and relaxed,” explains Marissa. “It was all about finding the perfect balance between modern minimalism and midcentury charm.”
In All Corners Simplicity Meets Luxury
The sunniness spills into the heart of homes-the living room. Huge glass openings from ceiling to floor into this lush backyard with an expansive deck, quite the place where Marissa and Adam would embrace earthen colors that come in sun-soft taupe, olive, and charcoal. The furnishings are an ecclectic, chaotic mix of vintage midcentury chairs and their contemporary counterparts that lean into clean lines and natural textures. The vintage lounge chairs by Edward Wormley are joined by a low-slung modern sofa dressed in soft linen, while a striking walnut coffee table designed by Marissa herself adds a unique touch to this space.
One of the enormous installations is an abstract by local artist Casey Lee, hanging about the fireplace. An abstract piece made from hand-carved wood, adds texture and interest without compromising the room’s calm feeling. “I really wanted something that felt grounded in the natural world, somehow connected indoors with the landscape beyond,” says Marissa.
Within a sanctuary of peaceful details
In the dining room is a simple reclaimed wood table with touches of aged wood by Pierre Paulin as a pendant lamp above it. Marissa’s inclination to very straight-from-hand-and-earth understated objects can be seen in the items in the house-from hand-thrown ceramics perched on open shelves to accent-woven textiles thrown on chairs and couches. “I’m really drawn to things that have texture and history,” says Marissa. “For me, everything in our home should feel as if it has intention and contributes toward the feeling of the space.”
The edge is not smooth. Desire is not wanting; there are some beautiful little details, such as soft linen curtains that delicicately filter sunlight, oversized leather cushions inviting one to sink deep into them, and sculptural vases filled with fresh blooms. They create effortless elegance in the way that every detail has been thought of so that it reflects one’s own personal space and high-end living.
An Outdoor Oasis Par with the Interior
Seamlessly outdoor-connected home-the living room has a set of sliding doors that lead to a large deck overlooking an exuberant backyard full of indigenous flora, succulents, and desert-inspired landscaping. The pool area, marked by tall palm trees and a grove of bamboo, feels almost integral to the indoors-natural sanctuary that welcomes relaxation and reflection. “This is really where we spend the most time outdoors,” shares Adam. “We have a lovely view, but it’s nothing ostentatious. It’s about the way you can walk outside and breathe.” A set of midcentury outdoor furniture-an assemblage of sleek metal lounge chairs, and long rectangular wooden tables-was painstakingly arranged to make entertaining or lazing in isolation inviting. Come evening, the air will be perfumed with blooming jasmine and softly lit from outdoor lights.
Kind of Retreat That Resonates with Mindful Philosophy
This home embodies Marissa and Adam’s shared consciousness of living purposely and simply. After all, their minimalist art spaces visitations inspire them to travel to such “hot spots” as the Getty Villa in Malibu and Japanese landscapes of Zen gardens. Everything in their space feels contemporary and yet timeless with clean lines, natural materials, and thorough thoughtful design. For Marissa, finding beauty in the simplest things would mean something like: “It’s not about having the most stuff-it’s about having the right stuff.”
With a tranquil palette, minimal furnishings, and a deep regard for nature, the Santa Monica house is a perfect example of contemporary housing surrounded by midcentury nostalgia, for Marissa and Adam, what is more, is not just where they lived but a room for their creative endeavors. This is also respite from the world outside. “This is our sanctuary,” says Marissa. “It is where we come to recharge, to reconnect, and to find peace.”
In the midst of all the noise and distractions of life, this mid-century retreat also reminds us that, sometimes, less actually is more.