This was the first of several projects that I worked on with Domonic Ricciardone. I believe that several people had analyzed his site and perhaps advised against developing it. I didn't see it that way at all, the acreage is on the side of a mountain, quite a steep slope, but the view of the ocean is spectacular. My client would be developing the project for speculation.

I devised a grading plan that would carve out two building pads and a driveway that would meet code. The residence would be on the lower larger pad, the parking and the guesthouse/ garage structure would be on the higher, smaller pad. The budget was large enough to absorb the grading and retaining cost.

Bridging across to the upper level of the 11,000 square foot home, gives all the benefits that I find desirable in placing the public rooms on the second floor, such as soaring ceilings, and unconfined views. This arrangement also creates a very dramatic formal entry. I also designed a very practical side entry, providing direct access from the 4 car garage and the two bedroom ocean view guest quarters to the kitchen hallway.

Dominic wanted me to come up with a style that would be very desirable for resale. Considering the site and Malibu in general, I felt that a French style country home would be enticing, romantic and salable. Or should I say a European country house that has come into the 21st century. Nearly the entire ocean view side of the residence is glass from the floor to the gabled ceilings. While the other three elevations hold a more formal style. The home provides all the story book elements of a centuries old manor and all the luxuries of our times. (Malibu is a place where people often go to fulfill their dreams).

Authentic cast stone details abound on the elevations and extra framing is used throughout to create thick walls making deep set windows possible, an old world effect is the result. The iron railings and window boxes are of my design. The roof is of natural slate.

Upon opening the front door, you find yourself in a wide lofted entry with 18 foot high vaulted ceilings, looking straight ahead; two stories of floor to ceiling glass take in the ocean views and the grand curving staircase that leads to the lower solarium. Turn right and find yourself in the grand room, with its 21 foot high vaulted ceilings and incomparable ocean views. An authentic French fireplace and mantel are a focal point for the sitting area. One of the outstanding features of the residence is the dining room, which is separated from the grand room only by walls of glass set into small square wood frames, as are the French doors that so graciously invite guest to dinner. Both rooms open onto a large ocean view deck for entertaining as does the breakfast room. To the left of the entry you will find a large library with especially nice ocean views and a full bath.

The main house has 5 bedrooms, two of which are quite large master suites overlooking the ocean. There are full spa facilities on the lower level. There are 4 fireplaces in the home. The ceilings on the lower level are 10 feet high. Upper floor ceilings range from 10 feet to 21 feet high. All of the doors and windows are much higher than standard. The rooms are all quite large, old manor style with wide hallways. The plan has an open country feeling, utilizing only thick wide arched openings to separate the public rooms from one another.

The kitchen and service areas encompass the entire right-wing of the house. The ocean views are beautiful from the kitchen and even more so from the breakfast room. That wing houses the most outrageous kitchen with all the amenities, a service bathroom, service stairs to the lower level, butler's office and laundry facilities.

The house is geared to outdoor living, with numerous patios on the lower level and the upper deck.