studio jBd’s Top 3
1. Think of a great night out. McGrory’s experience as a restaurateur leads him to consider how each design ingredient bakes into a home’s mood. Enhancing the look, “the feel, the energy, the music, the lighting, the comfort, and the spaces in which to create memories all have to be there and align,” he says. Outdoor surround sound? Absolutely.
2. Customize thoughtfully. “We did a lot of custom furniture to bring our vision to life,” Houston says. “Often times, the scale of midcentury furniture can be off, so we made some comfort adjustments by making our custom sofa deeper, the Fireclay tiles for the fireplace bigger, and so on.” The classic lines of the furnishings work within the 1950s architectural context, not against it.
3. Expand as needed. A gut renovation opens doors for building while you’re rebuilding. “Amid resurfacing the pool, adding a Jacuzzi, paving the surrounding area in locally sourced flagstone, and bringing in two 65-year-old olive trees to feature in the garden, we added 800 square feet to the house layout,” Houston says, yielding a four-bedroom home from a two bedroom.
