Caitlin Atkinson
Deck photo in Los Angeles

Shower detailing
Small beach style kids' white tile light wood floor and beige floor bathroom photo in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

The floor beneath the street level has been built as a child’s retreat of sorts. There are four bedrooms linked in pairs by Jack and Jill bathrooms. This, plus twin study centers, an open play room and a small lounge—strategically tucked away from study and play areas—that’s rigged for gaming and TV-watching. On this floor, the vibe is light and airy, with white walls against light hued floors of engineered oak. “They have a great combination of tones, and are more durable than actual wood,” notes Lazar. There is also plenty of custom cabinetry, from desks and drawers to multiple-sized nooks for stowing away toys and books. Though positioned as a children’s floor, it doesn’t have to be. The floor, and the entire house, has been designed with enough blank slate so it can be stylistically recast as an owner sees fit. “Everything is very subtle very clean,” says Lazar. “Anyone can come in and use the space any way they choose.” Thoughtfully designed by Steve Lazar design+build by South Swell. designbuildbysouthswell.com Photography by Joel Silva.

Transitional kitchen and stair
Example of a mid-sized beach style l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Thoughtfully designed by Steve Lazar design+build by South Swell. designbuildbysouthswell.com Photography by Laura Hull
Inspiration for a large contemporary rooftop rooftop deck remodel in Los Angeles

Family Room. TV Nicely recessed into the wall.
Mid-sized beach style formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room photo in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Inspiration for a large contemporary three-story glass flat roof remodel in Los Angeles

Mid-sized elegant single-wall wet bar photo in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, no sink, marble countertops, stone slab backsplash and gray countertops

Much of the house opens to the Stair Hall with its three-story spiral staircase wrapping around a fiber optic chandelier.
Staircase - contemporary staircase idea in Los Angeles

A shot of the living room. Note the in-ceiling speakers and TV capable of being covered by doors when not in use!
Living room - large coastal formal and open concept dark wood floor living room idea in Los Angeles with white walls, a concealed tv and no fireplace

Deck - coastal deck idea in Los Angeles

Inspiration for a large contemporary wooden u-shaped open staircase remodel in Los Angeles

In this project Lazar has created another of his hyper-livable top floors—half indoors, half outdoors—that could arguably be the beating heart of the home. A sunny gathering space and gourmet kitchen are gathered under an elevated ceiling. Lined with windows and stocked with gleaming counters, the big room opens onto an equally spacious ocean-view deck that could morph either way: as everyday living space or party central. Thoughtfully designed by Steve Lazar design+build by South Swell. designbuildbysouthswell.com Photography by Laura Hull

Powder room - small coastal powder room idea in Los Angeles with a pedestal sink and multicolored walls

Steve Lazar's newest project, a six-bedroom residence built on a hillside peak of 30th Street in Hermosa Beach for design+build by South Swell, is a study in the functional exploitation of lot size and surrounding beauty. That, and an evolution of the designer’s singular style. Modernist in its veins, the new home has the earmarks of a Lazar design inside and out. There’s a hint of lifeguard tower in its exterior, though more muted than visible in his past projects, mainly due to a ring of rusticated wood cladding swathed around its mid-section. Other signifiers are there, too, from a row of high-perched observation windows to a slightly raised metal hip roof of soft blue. Jutting out slightly over the home, its underside dressed in tidy shiplap, the roof contrasts smartly against the clean white stucco and earthy wood of the lower levels. In all, it’s still clean-cut Lazar, but more organic than sleek. “I use a lot of the same ideas,” says Lazar, standing outside the structure while craftsmen and workers buzz around, putting finishing touches on the place. “ “I have a signature vocabulary, but I adapt it with each custom home to meet a client’s needs and maximize the particulars of that space.” Thoughtfully designed by Steve Lazar design+build by South Swell. designbuildbysouthswell.com Photography by Joel Silva.

Mid-sized beach style galley porcelain tile and gray floor wet bar photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash and white countertops

Our client approached us while he was in the process of purchasing his ½ lot detached unit in Hermosa Beach. He was drawn to a design / build approach because although he has great design taste, as a busy professional he didn’t have the time or energy to manage every detail involved in a home remodel. The property had been used as a rental unit and was in need of TLC. By bringing us onto the project during the purchase we were able to help assess the true condition of the home. Built in 1976, the 894 sq. ft. home had extensive termite and dry rot damage from years of neglect. The project required us to reframe the home from the inside out. To design a space that your client will love you really need to spend time getting to know them. Our client enjoys entertaining small groups. He has a custom turntable and considers himself a mixologist. We opened up the space, space-planning for his custom turntable, to make it ideal for entertaining. The wood floor is reclaimed wood from manufacturing facilities. The reframing work also allowed us to make the roof a deck with an ocean view. The home is now a blend of the latest design trends and vintage elements and our client couldn’t be happier! View the 'before' and 'after' images of this project at: http://www.houzz.com/discussions/4189186/bachelors-whole-house-remodel-in-hermosa-beach-ca-part-1 http://www.houzz.com/discussions/4203075/m=23/bachelors-whole-house-remodel-in-hermosa-beach-ca-part-2 http://www.houzz.com/discussions/4216693/m=23/bachelors-whole-house-remodel-in-hermosa-beach-ca-part-3 Features: subway tile, reclaimed wood floors, quartz countertops, bamboo wood cabinetry, Ebony finish cabinets in kitchen

Thoughtfully designed by Steve Lazar of design + build by South Swell. designbuildbySouthSwell.com.
Example of a mid-sized beach style master white tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile, gray floor and double-sink bathroom design in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, a drop-in sink, a hinged shower door, quartz countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

New custom beach home in the Golden Hills of Hermosa Beach, California, melding a modern sensibility in concept, plan and flow w/ traditional design aesthetic elements and detailing.