Tucked away between the Santa Monica mountains and the Los Angeles coastline, Pacific Palisades beckons as an exclusive haven for discerning residents.
Here, sophistication comes easy. Whether you’re perusing local produce at the community’s weekly farmer’s market or marveling at centuries-old artifacts at the Getty Villa, you’ll find luxury woven into the everyday details.
This carries on to homes in the Palisades, most of which reflect this relaxed yet opulent lifestyle. They mirror the beauty of the surrounding landscapes and also embody the area’s rich and storied history. Here are some aesthetic and functional elements that you might encounter during your search for luxury modern homes in Los Angeles.
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PACIFIC PALISADES’ ARCHITECTURAL PROFILE
Timeless craftsmanship
Trends are fun, but when it comes to a long-term investment like your dream home, it’s best to go with something that will never go out of style.
Craftsman architecture is possibly one of the most common styles in the United States with good reason. It places emphasis on quality and detail while being simple– an aesthetic that appeals to many Pacific Palisades homeowners.
A glimpse into the history of Craftsman-style homes
The Craftsman style emerged in the early 20th century. It was popularized by Gustav Stickley in his magazine “The Craftsman.” Stickley was a prominent figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement, which emphasized handcrafted quality over the culture of mass production that prevailed in the late 19th century. His magazine became the foundation of this architectural style, taking with it the movement’s ideals of simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship.
The style became extremely popular in California, where the mild climate and appreciation for nature aligned perfectly with the Craftsman’s ethos. Architects like Charles and Henry Greene, known for their iconic “ultimate bungalows,” left an indelible mark on the style – particularly the use of stucco or shingle siding – resulting in homes that harmonized with the Golden State’s natural beauty and environment.
Although Craftsman-style homes experienced a decline in popularity after World War I, they saw a resurgence in the 21st century. The minimalist and environmental appeal of the Craftsman sparked a renewed interest not only in preserving and restoring these architectural treasures, but also in building new homes inspired by this style.
Defining features of Craftsman-style homes
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Harmonizing with nature. Craftsman homes blend indoor and outdoor spaces. Think expansive porches, exposed beams and rafters, stone or stucco accents, and generous use of wood elements. All of these create a connection with the natural world. Depending on the original homeowner or builder’s taste, the home may be symmetrical or asymmetrical, with low-pitched roofs and a protruding single or double gable.
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Handcrafted quality. A hallmark of Craftsman design is bespoke functionality, so expect well-designed built-ins and extensive woodwork. This can include thick wood framed windows and doors, custom millwork such as bookshelves, window seats, breakfast nooks, and hardwood flooring.
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Warmth and coziness. Interiors are typically adorned with rich wood paneling, period-specific fixtures, and inviting fireplaces, all of which contribute to an inviting atmosphere. Older Craftsman homes often have defined living and dining spaces as well as darker stained wood.
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Open floor plans. Family living is a priority in Craftsman homes, so layouts often have an easy flow between rooms. Spacious interiors are complemented by large bay or picture windows, which invite natural light and scenic views inside. Central living spaces are typically anchored by a brick or tile fireplace, evoking an urge to “gather around” within the area.
Featured property:
781 Wildomar Street
Coastal “Old World” charm
What better way to highlight your property’s coastal location than with an architectural style reminiscent of seaside villas in Italy and Monaco? With their signature red-tiled roofs, stucco facades, and romantic outdoor spaces, Mediterranean-inspired homes exude an irresistible allure that blends Old World charm with modern LA living.
An overview of Mediterranean architecture in California
Mediterranean-style homes gained prominence in North America during the early 20th century, particularly in California and Florida– both previous Spanish colonies. During this time, Spanish New World haciendas evoked elegance, grandeur, and wealth. Features like red-tiled roofs, arches, and plastered exteriors resembling adobe became popular.
The style reached its peak during the Roaring Twenties, when Hollywood movies of the 1920s and 1930s, along with celebrity magazines, showcased stars living in Spanish Colonial homes. This was further popularized by architects like Addison Mizner, Bertram Goodhue, and Paul Williams.
While Spain, Italy, and Portugal were the main inspirations, architects eventually incorporated elements from various European nations over the years. It’s not uncommon to find Mediterranean homes with some French, Greek, including France, Greece, Turkish, and even Lebanese influences.
After a period of decline due to the Great Depression and World War II, Mediterranean homes experienced a resurgence in the 1960s. By the turn of the 21st century, Mediterranean-style homes continue to retain their signature features while incorporating modern living preferences, such as open floor plans, large windows, and indoor-outdoor integration.
Defining features of Mediterranean architecture
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Symmetry and seamless outdoor living. Ornate archways and tall wrought-iron gated windows flanking a centered front door are distinct features that serve both structural and decorative purposes– they help distribute weight while adding an exquisite touch. You’ll also find numerous access points to outdoor living spaces, such as patios and terraces. These allow a continuous flow between the interior and exterior living spaces.
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Natural, energy-efficient materials. Red-tiled roofs, inspired by Spanish and Mexican missions, are made with clay tiles shaped like half tubes. This captures pockets of cold air, allowing for efficient water drainage and insulation. Thick stucco walls also help retain cool air during the day and release accumulated warmth at night, making them perfect for warm, coastal environments like the Palisades.
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Earthy interiors. Floors often boast terracotta, stone, or natural wood finishes, while earthy colors like ochre, chestnut, and clay dominate the color palette. These are all juxtaposed against white walls and exposed wood beams. Accents in beachy tones add a refreshing touch, while patterned tiles adorn kitchens, bathrooms, and accent walls.
Featured property:
1550 Amalfi Drive
Clean lines and open spaces
Born from the optimism of the post-World War II boom and fueled by groundbreaking materials and technologies, Mid-century Modern architecture continues to captivate homeowners today. Geometric shapes, large windows, and open floor plans were hallmarks of this transformative design.
Tracing the development of Mid-century Modern architecture
Pioneered by renowned architects like Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the Mid-century Modern home reached its peak between 1945 and the 1980s. Recently, the style has experienced a resurgence in popularity due to their minimalist design, affordability, and energy-efficiency.
The Case Study Houses program – sponsored by Arts and Architecture – were pivotal in promoting the style in popular media at the time. Modern architects who designed homes for the program included Pierre Koenig, Eero Saarinen, A. Quincy Jones, and Charles and Ray Eames.
Notably, one of the most iconic homes built for the program – The Eames House (Case Study House 8) – is located along North Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades.
Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the biggest names in modern architecture, also left an indelible mark on the Mid-century Modern. His dedication to site-specific designs, emphasis on flow between spaces, and innovative use of wood paneling set the stage for what would become an enduring architectural style.
Key elements of Mid-century Modern homes
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Functionality and balance. These homes are carefully crafted to maximize space and utility. Warm, inviting tones, versatile furnishings, and understated decoration underscore the room’s primary purpose, ensuring that it serves its occupants harmoniously.
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Minimalist designs. Simplicity is the hallmark of this style. You can expect furnishings with clean lines, a bold color palette, and a preference for large statement pieces—sculptures or plants—over cluttered collections. Similarly, exteriors favor monochromatic and neutral palettes, featuring earthy tones with brick or wood-panel siding.
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Geometric lines and elevation shifts. Mid-century modern homes are characterized by flat roofs and precise lines. Inside, small elevation shifts and split-level designs are common, creating distinct zones within the living space. Like Mediterranean-style homes, rooms also offer multiple outdoor views and access points, particularly through expansive windows and sliding doors.
Featured property:
637 Las Lomas Avenue
MUST-HAVE FEATURES AND AMENITIES
Fitness and wellness
In Pacific Palisades, there is a huge focus on prioritizing one’s overall well-being. This commitment to wellness is reflected in the luxury homes that dot the landscape. From private gyms and spa-like bathrooms to serene outdoor spaces, here are some of the fitness and wellness amenities that grace these luxurious residences.
- Personal fitness centers
Why leave the comfort of your home for a massage or acupuncture treatment when these services can come to you? Fully equipped gyms, dedicated yoga rooms, and spa rooms are now standard features. These spaces have experienced a resurgence in recent years, particularly due to stay-at-home orders. Modern high-tech equipment, often with virtual training capabilities, can allow you to enjoy a professional workout without leaving your home.
- In-home spas
As wellness and self-care take center stage, home spas have followed suit. These amenities, often found in primary bathrooms, include soaking tubs, steam showers, and even movable walls for al fresco bathing. Homeowners can indulge in cold plunges, relax on tanning beds, or unwind in saunas. Want to take it a step further? Turn one of your spare rooms into a dedicated massage room.
- Sports courts
Many residences feature sports courts that cater to a variety of interests. Basketball courts, tennis courts, putting greens, racquetball courts, miniature baseball diamonds, and even bowling alleys can be found in many luxury modern homes in Los Angeles, providing homeowners with unlimited opportunities to pursue their hobbies or practice their sport right at their doorstep.
Indoor-outdoor living spaces
If you’re going to live in a community as beautiful as Pacific Palisades, you’ll want to spend as much time as you can outdoors. Which is why luxury properties in the neighborhood feature the following:
- Expansive outdoor spaces
Open spaces, outdoor living rooms, cabanas, outdoor kitchens, and dining areas are all highly sought-after features that elevate the lifestyle experience. Forbes Global Properties’ Luxury Agent Poll found that in 2023, the most sought-after home amenity is an outdoor kitchen.
This trend underscores the findings of their 2022 Perspectives study, which identified outdoor space, proximity to lifestyle amenities, and private pools as recurring requests among high-net-worth buyers, fueled partly by the need for open-air living during stay-at-home orders.
The outdoor kitchen – among many other outdoor spaces you can have in your luxury Palisades home – can allow you to enjoy cooking and dining while soaking in breathtaking views of oceans, mountains, or cityscapes.
- One-of-a-kind pools
Pools have become synonymous with luxury living, and luxury modern homes in Los Angeles have taken them to the next level. Imagine olympic-sized lap pools, infinity pools that blend seamlessly with city or ocean views, and unique features like waterfalls, fountains, and swim-up bars. Multitiers, hidden grottos, and sun shelves are also growing in popularity, as well as “alternative” pool options like saltwater, plunge, and jetstream pools.
- Perfectly framed views
In Pacific Palisades, views are the ultimate luxury feature– they add a significant premium to any property’s price tag. Unobstructed, panoramic views are highly coveted, since they can transform any outdoor space into magical settings. Infinity-edge pools and disappearing glass walls are already dramatic features on their own – but what if it’s set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, rolling canyons, or the city’s skyline? As the old adage goes, you can change your property’s house, but you can’t change its location.
Integration of the latest smart home tech
Technology is synonymous with convenience, and convenience is the epitome of luxury. Home automation systems have become the cornerstone of modern living, providing seamless control over entertainment, security, lighting, temperature, and more—all with the push of a button or a simple voice command.
Newer homes in the area have also embraced green technology, incorporating solar energy systems and high-tech water irrigation systems. And for homebuyers who want to embrace the electric vehicle revolution, an electric charging station in the garage is becoming increasingly common in the luxury market.
- Home theaters and entertainment centers
Sometimes, a media room won’t cut it. It’s a good thing that many luxury homes in the Palisades offer a private theater room that can rival the grandeur of a commercial cinema.
Think stadium seating, plush recliners, custom couches, mood lighting, and state-of-the-art audiovisual technology. If you like hosting people over, there are homes with entire entertainment centers complete with game rooms, billiard rooms, and fully-equipped bar areas.
- Statement lighting
Statement lighting has been a designer favorite this year, and there’s a strong chance that this trend will continue in the coming year. Beyond providing light, these fixtures serve as artistic masterpieces that command attention and create captivating atmospheres.
Sculptural lighting fixtures like avant-garde chandeliers incorporate organic elements, advanced technology, dramatic minimalism, and immersive light installations. Smart lighting systems can also allow you to customize your lighting experiences effortlessly. For example, you can turn your living room into the perfect setting for a cozy date night or a vibrant dinner party just by controlling the brightness of your lights.
- A focus on sustainability
Many luxury homes in Pacific Palisades are leading the way in eco-friendly features and sustainable design elements. Features like solar panels make use of the abundant Californian sun, while high-efficiency appliances help minimize energy consumption. Using reclaimed wood and water-saving fixtures also reflect the commitment to a greener lifestyle. Meanwhile, low-maintenance landscaping not only enhances the property’s beauty but also reduces water usage.
Storage turned showrooms
When it comes to luxury modern homes in Los Angeles, storage is not just about functionality. It’s also about elevating possessions to the status of art and creating spaces that showcase your treasured collections. Here are some ways you can go beyond the custom glass closet:
- Wine and tasting rooms
Wine rooms have experienced a remarkable resurgence in the past few years. No longer relegated to dimly lit basements or forgotten closets, wine rooms have taken center stage as captivating showpieces and entertainment spaces for luxury homes.
If you have a passion and appreciation for fine vintages, consider homes that have these dedicated spaces to display your collection, complete with custom lighting, glass showcases, and motorized racks.
- Expansive motor courts
In the Palisades, ample parking space is a non-negotiable requirement. But if you’re a car collector and entertainer, why settle for just a place to park? In the realm of ultra-luxury homes, garages have transcended their conventional purpose, evolving into showrooms that present a homeowner’s collection of vehicles as works of art.
Meticulous lighting, climate control, and top-tier finishes in these high-end garages help create an environment where automobiles become the focal point of admiration.
Find your dream home in Pacific Palisades today!
Ready to start your search for gorgeous luxury modern homes in Los Angeles? James Respondek is your trusted guide to luxury real estate in Pacific Palisades. With unparalleled negotiation skills and a billion-dollar track record, he can find the perfect home that suits your needs.
Explore the best of Pacific Palisades with James today! Get in touch with him by calling 310.488.4400 or by sending a message here.