If Howard Stevens needs to escape the hustle bustle of LA, the former longtime stand up comic, turned television host now has the perfect hideout in the North County San Diego beach town of Encinitas, CA.
The Emmy Award winning writer, was introduced to Encinitas while visiting friends. He was immediately taken by the walkability and friendliness of the small beach town. “Not to mention the good looking women,” chuckles Stevens who also made note of a community on the move and with little real estate inventory.
Introduced to dasMOD Co-Founder, Erik Gilmer, the two spent many hours touring the up-and-coming Encinitas Highlands neighborhood where Stevens settled on a 1950’s stereotypical, boxy tract house, suffering from decay and a serious lack of attention.
The dasMOD team recognized the unspectacular, old-age spirit of the house could easily transition into an intimate, low-maintenance yet dynamic second home for Stevens that reflected the timeless beauty and simple comforts of a beach community.
The renovation was a sustainable effort and an adaptive use of the existing property. One that focused on tearing down selectively with an emphasis on doing something fun and cool, with a vibe similar to that of an art gallery.
The result is an inspiring collaboration between the dasMOD team and Stevens whose passion for architecture and design is present throughout the home.
Reworking the front exterior and retaining wall provides a seamless and dynamic interaction between the indoors and out while adding a distinctive new look to the entrance. The front courtyard is a peaceful integration to the interior living area and provides an intimate space with privacy from neighboring homes.
The design elements of the new living room, updated kitchen and combined dining area are oriented to take advantage of the sunlight and cross ventilation of the coastal breeze. Warm pared-back neutrals create a natural feeling and reflect the overall atmosphere of Stevens’ contemporary Latin American art collection.
The new master-suite was designed to be a more private retreat, providing sanctuary from the active living area. Dual functioning tilt & turn windows offer additional ventilation and direct access to the courtyard. The bedroom also borrows a good bit of natural light from the generous window in the master bath.
The reinvigorated Arden Home includes a cozy guest room and home office with separate entrances to the front and back courtyards.
The back courtyard plays a pivotal role as an outdoor dining area, communal space, and seems like a natural extension of the main living quarters.
An array of drought-tolerant succulents and a variety of low-maintenance trees and plantings create an easy transition to the 426 square foot guest house in the backyard. The outdoor lounge and dining space separates the main home from the guest house. Textured fabrics, loose linens, and upscale furnishings compliment the natural light and modern details with this inventive set up.
The handmade touches of the newly refined Arden House makes for an ideal experience for midsummer night cocktail parties, low-key weekend dinners, and a serene hideaway for Stevens’ out-of-town visitors. “It was the discerning design sense and creative guidance of the dasMOD team that helped me curate the ideal home-away-from-home in Encinitas.” Stevens says.
View Original