Harmonious Continuity

A house open to the outdoors is now a staple of modern residential design, and is a defining hallmark of Whipple Russell’s design for a West Coast lifestyle. When Marc begins thinking about the design of outdoor spaces the primary element is usually the pool, and then the areas around it for seating, dining, and entertaining. He works to place these elements on the property's best location, which frame the ultimate views.

Then, when the important interior rooms – living room, family room, dining room, kitchen, master suite, and bath – are designed, walls of sliding glass are placed to fluidly extend these spaces out to the exterior elements and the horizon line beyond.

Our Laurel Way project had outdoor-indoor living views, for which we created a moat-like water feature that wraps around the property, eliminating banisters which would interrupt the visual line out to the horizon.

Some of the magic of connecting interior to exterior living is the careful thought Marc gives to what is seen from these interior rooms.

As an example, the view of the outdoor furniture arrangement must be inviting and offer the best in design and finishes from back to front.

Aesthetically pleasing outdoor living is best achieved through a harmonious continuity. Our team goes to great lengths to make sure that interior wall finishes repeat at least subtly to the outside, and the flooring also flows from indoors to outdoors as one piece.

On a beautiful day when the walls are open, our Benedict Canyon house is experienced as one soothing cohesive space.

At Benedict Canyon water also provides an element of continuity. Ponds frame the front entry on either side of the walkway, and water appears to flow into another pond inside the entry and living room.

On our Trousdale Project corner glass walls completely open the living room to the outdoors, where the water is up close to the house with stepping stones available across the pool.

The Outdoor Room

Even when working with a landscape architect, we nevertheless design the primary hardscape and pool almost as another interior room, as an extension of the house. These views of our Hopen House show this outdoor room idea.

The standing lamp, the beautiful Italian furniture, a great dining table with a fun, boxy chandelier, all bring a room-like feeling.

At Los Tilos each terrace is the roof of the level below it, a modern Californian interpretation of the terraced hillsides which overlook the Mediterranean Sea.

Marc explains, “Terracing down the hillside worked well on this property, stacking the floors on top of one another maximizes the glass area and obviously the exposure to the view.” And these views include the iconic Hollywood sign and Downtown Los Angeles.

The upper terrace is another outdoor room; a large open space with full dining table, BBQ with wet bar, and comfortable couches flanking a large fireplace, all open to panoramic views.

Down below at pool level is another seating area around an open fireplace and two small tables, perfect for lunch or snacks by the water.

Marc is always mindful of how the people occupying the house can relate and connect, and this includes out-of-doors. This “living small” concept means that even in a large house people are connected visually; the L-shape of this design along with lots of glass offers views across to the other side of the house, and the terraces provide sightlines to each other as well.

Around the Fire

The terrace and patio spaces are not just for sunning, barbecuing, and eating together, let’s add the ancient communal gathering around fire. The circular fireplace seating at our Trousdale project is located at the tip of the property, with a great view of the hills, and also to the spa, pool, and house.