In many ways this is my favorite project. The home is incredibly romantic and gracious, the kind of building that will look even better in a hundred years.

My client owned some acreage in the mountains above Malibu and was ready to develop the site for his own use. The ocean view is dramatic, however the site offered only a small, rather elongated pad for construction. Ocean views were available from two sides of the parcel; a third side would need to be retained, as there was a steep slope up the mountain and the fourth side provided dramatic and completely private mountain views. The budget was quite large and the house was to be 4500 sq. ft. plus two car garage.

In conference with my client, it was decided that Spanish colonial would be a wonderful choice for his new residence. I suggested that an interior courtyard would be a great solution for the long narrow pad, and would give protection from the strong winds. Courtyards can also give a great sense of privacy.

I love working in Spanish colonial, especially when there is a budget that allows for the intricate detailing of elevations and interiors. And I would call this a Spanish colonial villa as the property is very much the kind of site that would inspire a villa. I didn't hold back at all on the design. The elevations are sensitively and proportionately complex, and there is an abundant application of loggias.

The residence features all of the authentic cast stone details of the era, and so much more. I held the style, while providing very large windows to fully take in the views. I employed extra framing to create thick walls so the windows are set in quite deeply. Some of the details, reflected in the elevations, come from my own archives. I've been collecting photographs of Spanish colonial architecture for many years.

The house is very dramatic, open, light and spacious inside. The lowest ceilings are 10-feet high, and the highest in the entry soar to 25 feet. The feeling of passing through the landscaped courtyard and opening the front door is very exciting. As with most of my projects, the views give a first and lasting impression of the lifestyle that has been created within the home. The entry boasts a grand staircase of the era. The stairs lead all the way to the roof deck, making a stop at the master bedroom level.

One wing of the lower floor has two full bedroom suites with ocean views, full baths, walk-in closets, wide loggias, and a separate entry to that wing of the house. The entire upper floor is dedicated to the master suite. The master bedroom contains its own private view deck and a fireplace. The master bathroom has all the amenities and an incredible ocean view of its own.

The great room is very dramatic, with soaring ceilings and very large expanses of glass that take in the ocean views on two sides. There is a fireplace, and some interesting small star shaped windows quite high up. The great room and the dining room open to a private and secluded partially covered patio, with its own exterior fireplace, and ocean views. This is a perfect place to enjoy after-dinner drinks, and dessert. The dining room is a beautiful intimate room with its own fireplace.

The kitchen takes up nearly an entire wing of the house and provides views of the courtyard; the breakfast area provides views of the mountains. The kitchen features double appliances, per the client's wishes, and can be used to prepare food for several hundred people with ease. There is a fireplace in the kitchen. The kitchen it situated near the garage and driveway for ease of unloading groceries.