Email this page  Print this page  Comments  Feed

Subscribe to At Home : San Diego Magazine's At Home

2009 Design Excellence Awards

The best in interior design is revealed in the annual ASID competition

Photo by Richard Gatling

It took more than vision to transform a 1940s utilitarian bayside structure into a cutting-edge home with the feel of a luxury yacht. It required unconventional thinking and design savvy. So did the conversion of a French-inspired kitchen into an avant-garde workspace for well-traveled cooks. And the design of a table whose base and top pivot on a bearing anchored below floor level? Well, that was pure genius.

The San Diego chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) honors these projects, plus five other first-place recipients, in its 2009 Design Excellence Awards. The annual competition is more than 20 years old. Projects are judged by designers in another state. And the entries are a reflection of the times: This year, despite a tough economy, local designers prove once again they are committed to emerging design, projects with inspiring stories--and the promotion of environmentally responsible design.

"We've definitely seen more young designers entering, which is gratifying because it means we're meeting our commitment to fostering emerging designers. We're also seeing more contemporary design in perhaps less mega-budget projects. These aren't cold, harsh, edgy or trendy designs but warm, efficient, comfortable, somewhat minimalist responses to the past two decades, overabundant with Tuscan and Mediterranean cliche styles. And we're seeing much more in the way of green consciousness."

The conversion of this 1940s utilitarian bayside structure into a diminutive cutting-edge residence required an ongoing collaboration among the owner/contractor, the architect and the interior designers. The goal was to evoke the look and feel of a luxury yacht, cleverly done with the installation of a gently bowed sail-shaped ceiling/roof with a projecting grid of stainless steel rafter tails; a sliding wall of glass that opens onto the bay; and an open space plan. Inside the 1,200-square-foot home, the design complements the evocative architecture by combining the straight and the curved, the warm and the cool. The "yacht" is complete with trapezoidal skylights; custom sapele wall paneling; flooring set in the same direction as exposed rafters pointing toward the bay; Azul Del Mar aquamarine-colored granite countertops; built-in beds; sliding panels that disappear into walls; and custom furnishings that are both modernist and sculptural.
 

Native American paintings, pottery, bronze sculptures, Navajo rugs and Kachina dolls were all considered when designing this 10,000-square-foot home. The vast art collection didn't just provide inspiration; each of the homeowners' favorite pieces had to have an appropriate place of display. This required strong collaboration between architect and designer, and the result is stunning and personal. The interior architecture in the newly constructed home was detailed to include display areas, fireplaces, custom cabinetry and a properly lit gallery. Materials were chosen for their neutral textures, with touches of color and subtle patterns that complement, rather than match, the pieces in the art collection.
 

The longtime owners of this small 1928 Spanish Revival bungalow had always dreamt of more space, a new kitchen and a second floor. When they finally embarked on the remodel, their goals were clear: Make the upgrades seamless, so the original architecture is enhanced and honored with "period correct" choices. Reconfiguration of the interior space allowed an expanded kitchen as well as the opening up of living and dining areas. The addition of a stair "tower" let natural light flood the kitchen while providing a dramatic vertical thrust to the interior space and exterior elevation. Faithful period detailing is displayed in custom Shaker-style cabinetry; Lagos Blue Ceasarstone countertops that mimic honed soapstone; a backsplash in creamy porcelain subway tile; floors perfectly matching the existing hardwood; and walkway tiles reclaimed from a Belgian monastery.

Having operated out of a high school gym and temporary tent, Cornerstone Church of San Diego and its 3,200-member congregation needed a permanent home. The new space would also support the church's youth programs, so it needed to be a welcoming and stable environment. A former movie theater was gutted down to the frame and transformed with proper lighting, finishes and materials. Today, the new facility--bright with colors inspired by the Mexican culture and commanding with a clean, contemporary design--bespeaks hope and community pride.

 


Wanting to fall in love again with their summer home, the owners desired a bath that would reflect their taste for fine craftsmanship and clean lines without feeling cold and sparse. Today, their master bath is luxurious and pampering, featuring exquisite materials such as the backlit onyx countertop and lighting cleverly placed behind mirrors. The design exudes a timeless appeal that is both comfortable and contemporary.

Originally built in the style of a Mediterranean villa, this residence has incredible views, grand spaces and an ideal floor plan. The new homeowners, however, desired a fresh, contemporary design that honors their love of art while retaining the home's identity and historical roots. They also wanted an atypical design for the kitchen. Today, dramatic lines identify the new space, highlighted by an uncommon layout: The main sink and cooktop sit back-to-back in the shimmering aluminum island, allowing the faucet to act as a pot filler when turned 180 degrees. Built for full function and heavy use, the kitchen features Poggenpohl cabinetry; honed granite countertops; an illuminated bar-height counter constructed from glass; frosted glass backsplash lit with LEDs that change color; dual cooktops, twin wine storage units and Sub-Zero refrigerators; a steam oven and three built-in ovens; and oak floors set in a tight herringbone pattern.

Reminiscent of an efficient and elegant feature one might expect inside a luxury yacht, this custom dining table solves a problem all too often encountered in smaller spaces: Oftentimes, the fireplace sits directly adjacent to the banquette, crowding the seat. If a normal-size table were used in this space, it would be difficult to get into the seat from the right side. A pivoting table provided a clever and striking solution. The complex geometric design is further enhanced by an anchor below floor level that allows the base and top of the table to pivot. A precision-machined shaft inside an attractive sapele-paneled column supports the top. Despite the size and weight of the table--the three-quarter-inch-thick, pencil-edge tempered glass weighs more than 100 pounds--it can be moved with just one finger.

Do you like what you read? Subscribe to San Diego Magazine »