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Home and interior design and lifestyle magazine
Citation preview
May/June 2009
(Outdoors, that is)SUMMER LIVING AT ITS BEST
• Furniture• Home tours• Accessories
CHEF’STABLEFabio Vivianibrings star powerto Café Firenze
HIGH TECH HOMEThe latest must-have gadgets
Canyons & Valley Edition
7651 Sepulveda Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91405
818.988.5970
Mon-Sat 9am to 6pm
Sun 11am to 5pm
Designers availablefor free consultation.
artificial plantscustom treessilk flowersdecorative accentshome decor
decorate your homelike a professional
7651 Sepulveda Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91405
818.988.5970
Mon-Sat 9am to 6pm
Sun 11am to 5pm
Designers availablefor free consultation.
artificial plantscustom treessilk flowersdecorative accentshome decor
decorate your homelike a professional
� spaces may/june 2009
southern california
contents
S O C A L S O C O O L
15 TradeSecrets Pioneeringoutdoorfurnituredesigner
RichardSchultzreinventshimselfwitheachnewcollection.
17 ShopTreatment Aneco-friendlycollectionoftables
andbenchesmakesitsdebutatSeanKnibb’strendynewshowroom,1524.
20 OutdoorLiving Celebratethearrivalofsummerwith
acollectionofmust-haveaccessoriesforoutdoorentertainingandliving.
F E A T U R E S
26TheGreatOutdoors DebbieandNeilSchwartzfulfilltheir
loveofentertainingwithawelcomingoasisintheirBeverlyHillsbackyard.
33 APerfectMatch RenownedarchitectJeffreyKalban
combinesformandfunctioninhisownStudioCityhome.
D E PA R T M E N T S
42 Chef’sTable Italian-bornchefFabioVivianioffersa
tasteofFlorenceatCaféFirenze.
52 High-TechHome Cutting-edgeinventionsareuseful
yetunique.
56 CauseforApplause Valleybusinessleadershonortheir
bestandbrightestmembers.
58 FinishingTouch ArtistLidiaShaddowdraws
inspirationfromeverydaylifeinSouthernCalifornia.
May/June 2009
spacesmag.com
Color and texture create a warm and welcoming backyard paradise at the Beverly Hills home of Debbie and Neil Schwartz. “What I’m always trying to get at is the seamlessness of inside to outside so that you’re really using the outdoors as part of your living space,” says designer Sandy Koepke, who helped define the couple’s style. Photo by David Crane.
On the cover: Designer Dougan Clarke creates a razor-thin canopy that’s the perfect outdoor accessory for Southern California’s year-round sunshine. Details and buying information on page 20. Photo courtesy Design Within Reach.
Eastern Art DécorWe’ve traveled to Thailand, India,
Africa, Indonesia, and China to bring you one of a kind pieces.
www.kampanat.com13335 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks
818.986-5432Monday-Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sale in progress – great pieces at
50% off
As a kid growing up in Denver, I loved the arrival of
MemorialDayanditspromiseofarelaxedandlight-
heartedsummer.We’dhoseoffthepicnictable,cov-
eritwithaflannel-backedvinyltableclothandeatdinneron
thepatioeverynightuntilLaborDay.I’dwhileawaythedays,
readingonachaiseloungeparkedinthebackyarduntilthe
inevitableafternoonthunderstormchasedmebackinside.
Imagine my delight at moving to the San Fernando
Valley, where summer — and its carefree mindset —
seemingly never ends. It’s in that spirit that Spaces offers
itsannual“OutdoorLiving”issue,featuringstylishproducts
andfreshideasforenjoyingSouthernCalifornia’sbestasset.
We showcase outdoor furniture, check out the debut col-
lection of LA’s own Sean Knibb and get inside the creative
mindofpioneerdesignerRichardSchultz.Wealsovisitwith
two Southern California families, who describe how they
integrated their indoor and outdoor living environments.
We hope their creativity inspires you to explore your own.
Haveagoodstoryideatoshare?Commentsaboutthemagazine?Writetomeatspaceseditor@langnews.com.
editor’s letter
contributors
Putting the life in lifestyle
Natalie Haughton’s
quest for hot new res-
taurants takes her to
Café Firenze in surbur-
ban Moorpark, where
chef Fabio Viviani is making his mark.
A longtime food editor and restaurant
critic at the Los Angeles Daily News,
Natalie has judged numerous national
cooking contests and is the author of
six cookbooks on topics ranging from
slow cookers to desserts.
Sandra Barrera en-
joys pursuing func-
tional, stylish and sus-
tainable spaces, so she
was in her element
during a backyard visit with Debbie
and Neil Schwartz of Beverly Hills.
Sandra has had the privilege of visiting
many beautiful homes as a staff writer
for the Los Angeles Daily News, where
she’s covered design, fashion and en-
tertainment since 2000.
2 8 1 0 C a m i n o D o s R i o s , N e w b u r y P a r k | 8 0 0 . 9 . O U T D O O R ( 9 6 8 - 8 3 6 6 ) o r 8 0 5 . 3 7 5 . 8 3 4 0
w w w . z e n d e r s . c o m | O p e n 7 D a y s f r o m 9 : 3 0 a m - 6 : 0 0 p m
Your Patio, TonightRelax Every Night Resort Style
20% to 50% OFF All Stock Patio Furnishings*
or No Interest or Payments
Until July 2010 (OAC)*See store for details. Anthem
publisherSteven Gellman
editor Barbara Jones
editorial director Oscar Garza
national editor Denise Gee
designer LeeAnn Nelson
photo director Dean Musgrove
contributing writers Sandra Barrera Holly Berecz Jerry Berrios Natalie Haughton
contributing photographers Michael Owen Baker David Crane
marketing director Bill Van Laningham
research director Liz Hamm
creative services manager Paul Schraeder
advertising account executive Meaghan Miller
office manager Mary Anne Rozinsky
Los AngeLes newspAper group
president & ceoEdward R. Moss
executive vice president & cfoJames Siegrist
Publisher, Torrance Daily Breeze & Long Beach Press Telegram
Mark Ficarra
contAct us
editorial: (818) 713-3297 [email protected]
advertising: (818) 713-3294 [email protected]
Copyright 2009 Southern California Spaces magazine by the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Southern California Spaces magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos or artwork even if accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope.
Comments? Southern California Spaces welcomes story ideas and comments from our readers. Write to: Spaces, 21860 Burbank Blvd., Ste. 120, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Volume 2 • Issue 3 spacesmag.com
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
12 spaces may/june 2009
may/june 2009 spaces 13
14 spaces may/june 2009
may/june 2009 spaces 15
Force of natureProlific designerdraws inspirationfrom thegreat outdoors
By Sandra Barrera
SoCalso cool
TRADE SECRETS
Outdoor furniture designerRichard Schultz
Sustainable design takes on a chic new twist
Coolest goods for the hottest backyards
Richard Schultz has been in the van-
guard of outdoor furniture-makers
for decades, with innovative and en-
during designs often inspired by nature.
Best known for his award-winning 1966
Collection of chaise lounges, chairs and ta-
bles for Florence Knoll’s interior design and
manufacturing house, Schultz pioneered the
way people live outdoors.
Chairs from the iconic 1966 Collection, above right, retain a simple silhouette while the new Wing collection is more stylized.
The father-and-son team of Richard and Peter Schultz.
“Manypeoplelook
at[thecolorsofthe
Wingcollection]and
go,‘Wow!Thoseare
brightcolorstouse
outside.’Well,those
colorscamefrom
nature.Thosearen’t
colorsweinvented.
Forinstance,the
greencamefroman
appleoffatreeby
thehouse.”
At82,hecontinuestoproducenewprod-
ucts, as well as his iconic 1966 Collection,
under the guise of Richard Schultz Design
Inc.(richardschultz.com).Schultzfounded
the Pennsylvania-based company in 1992
withPeterSchultz,theeldestofhisfourchil-
dren. We spoke by phone recently with the
50-year-old architect during his two-hour
commutefromthecompany’sfactorytohis
apartmentinNewYork.
Atwhatpointdidyoudecidetostartacom-panywithyourfather?I’vealwaysenjoyedlookingatfurniturewith
myfather.Irememberhe’ddosketchesand
thenasquicklyashecould,he’dturnasketch
intoaquarter-scalemodelmadeoutofwhat-
evermaterialswereavailableandthenpho-
tographitagainstabackground.Ifyoudidn’t
have any reference, you couldn’t tell that it
wasascalemodel.
At one point, we were discussing his
models of Topiary furniture. I thought we
shouldworkonafull-sizemockup,which
wedid,andthenweshowedittoanumber
offurniturecompaniesthatmadeoutdoor
furniture. They had no idea what to make
of this strange piece of furniture full of
holes.Itlookedlikeasieve.
So,Isaidtomyfather,“Thisisit.”
Wasthefocusonoutdoorfurniturefromthegetgo?Yes,andIthinkit’sveryappropriatewework
onoutdoorfurniturebecauseIgrewupina
houseoutinthecountry,farfromeverything.
Theclosestneighborlivedwithinamileorso
of the house, and there were a lot of nice
lawnsandlayersoftreesinbetween.My
parentswouldsitintheyardintheevening
andhavecocktails,andwealwayshadfurni-
tureinthegarden.
What was it like growing up around greatdesign?Itwasawonderful,creativeenvironment.My
father had a shop next to the house. I’d al-
waysgointhere,too.Wealwayshadprojects
going.Butinadditiontothat,therewereall
my parents’ furniture-designer friends who
came around, like Harry Bertoia, who lived
aroundthecorner.
Didn’t your father get his start with HarryBertoiaatKnoll?Harry was working in L.A. with (designers
CharlesandRay)EameswhenFlorenceKnoll
convinced him to move east and work with
her on developing some new products. So,
myfather’sfirstjobatKnollwastoworkwith
Harry. For my father, who was right out of
school,thatwasanimpressivethingtodobe-
causetheprocesswassoinnovative.Theyhad
nopre-conceptionofwhatthenewlinemight
look like. Harry just took his welding torch
andsomewireandstartedbendingit,andhe
woundupmakingthesepiecesthatarereally
quitebeautifulandnowconsideredclassic.At
thetimeitwasquiterevolutionary.
Yourfatherisalsoknownforbeinginno-vative.Myfatherhasalwaysbeenabletofindanin-
novativeaspecttoallofhiswork.Thatheralds
ourdesignphilosophy,whichisnottorepeat
whatsomebodyelsehasdoneandtweakita
1� Spaces may/june 2009
so coolSoCal
may/june 2009 spaces 17
SHOP TREATMENTlittlebit,buttotrytodosomethingthatinits
effortisinnovativeandnew.
Myfatherinhis’66Collectiondesigneda
chair,whichwasreallyoneofthefirstonthe
market with fabric stretched tightly across
itasasling.Inaddition,heexploitedatech-
nique using casting and extrusion—respec-
tively,solidandhollowaluminumsections—
attachedtogether.So,ifyoulookatallthe’66
furniture, all the horizontals—which look
verywide, liketheedgeofthetableandthe
edgeofthechaise—thoseareallextrusions.
The castings are the legs, so it looks like
he’sdrawnsomethingwithanitalicpen.
Years later, what allowed us to make the
Topiaryproductwastheadventofacomput-
er-controlledpunchpress.Thenewestchair,
whichwecallWing,isdoneusingawaterjet
tocutthemetal.
Wingissuchabright,colorfulcollection.It’sinterestingbecausemanypeoplelookat
thosecolorsandgo,“Wow!Thosearebright
colors to use outside.” Well, those colors
camefromnature.Thosearen’tcolorswein-
vented.Forinstance,thegreencamefroman
appleoffatreebythehouse.
Areyouatworkonanythingnew?Basedonthearmlessdiningchair,we’redo-
ing an armless bar-height chair and also an
armlesscounter-heightchair.Wefoundthat
a lot of people want to sit at tables that are
higher than normal because perhaps they
canseeovertherailing,orit’seasiertogetin
andoutofchairs.
One of the problems is that my father
keeps making more and more designs. We
can’t make the furniture as quickly as he
comes up with ideas. So, everyday we get
a littlemorebehindbecauseittakesa lotof
time to work through all the processes and
figureouthowtomakethefurniture.
Atleastyou’renotshortonideas.It’s true that for us we’ll never run out of
ideas.We’llrunoutofmoneyortimefirst.
1524 1524 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice 310/450-5552; knibbdesign.com
Landscape designer Sean Knibb takes
an unconventional approach to con-
ventionaldesignashetransformsor-
dinaryoutdoorspacesintomagicalretreats
fromeverydaylife.
Wrapped in chic, cushioned slipcovers,
rough bales of hay become comfortable ot-
tomans for outdoor seating areas. Under-
ground gas lines feed hidden nubs, sending
flames dancing atop gravel in the middle of
aninvitinggarden.Andconcretepaversand
heartyplantstransformasmallurbancourt-
yardintoalushhideaway.
“Designing gardens allows me to be ex-
tremely creative and work with something
Design with a (re)purpose
Oldbecomesnewinfurniture
showroom
By Jerry Berrios
Above: A Sean Knibb table sets
off a spectacular lamp designed by
Peter Carlson of CL Sterling & Son.
SoCalso cool
that’s always changing,” Knibb says. “A gar-
denhastohaveasynchronicityandrhythm.
Whatittakestoachievethatisdifficulttode-
fine,butit’salwaysmygoal.I’malwayslook-
ing for new elements, and turning old into
newtofindmyrhythm.”
That same philosophy infuses Knibb’s
debut line of indoor-outdoor furniture, an
eco-friendlycollectionoftablesandbenches
made of wood salvaged from construction
tear-downs around Los Angeles. Each piece
is unique—hardwood planks set in metal
framesincolorsstraightoutofachild’sfirst
box of crayons. “The wood is so old and so
hard,”Knibbsays.“Itissoperfectforoutside.
Itisnotgoingtomove,twistorbend.”
The collection of sustainable designs
wasunveiledat1524,theshowroomKnibb
opened recently in a converted bunga-
low next to his eponymous design studio.
Named for its street address on Venice’s
trendy Abbot Kinney Boulevard, the aus-
tereshowroomalsocarrieselegantlighting
Landscape designer Sean Knibb has opened 1524, a showroom named for his street address on trendy Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
fixturesdesignedbyPeterCarlson,founder
ofCLSterling&Son.
Like Knibb’s furniture, Carlson’s Rock
Crystal collection of chandeliers, sconces
and lamps is made from recycled materials
—remnantsofleadcrystalfoundatthebot-
tomofglassfactorykilnsinPortugal.“It’sthe
sameaestheticwithaninterestingmaterial,”
says Carlson, whose creations range from
$700to$8,000.
While Knibb is expanding his creative
horizons, he hasn’t abandoned his love of
landscaping design. The grandson of florist
Marian Cohen, Knibb grew up working in
herfloralstudioinMontegoBay,Jamaica.He
opened Knibb Design in 1993, and through
hislushandelegantlandscapesbuiltaclien-
tele that includes celebrities Cameron Diaz,
HalleBerryandJenniferLopez.
Dwight Stuart Jr., of Beverly Hills is
among those who now relish the outdoor
sanctuary created by Knibb’s imagination.
“Iliketucked-awayareasofagardenthatre-
vealthemselves,”Stuartsays.“Wecallthem
sweetspots.”
Someoftheelementsof these lavishde-
signsareondisplayinamodulargardenthat
Knibbcreatedoutsideofthe1524showroom.
Based on various templates and sold by the
square foot, the elements allow Knibb to
transformanordinaryyardintoanurbanoa-
sisinaboutsixweeks.
A converted bungalow showcases eco-friendly outdoor furniture and lighting fixtures.
Photo by Scott Varley
Set in a painted metal frame, a 4’x4’ foot coffee table of recycled hardwood retails for $780.
18 Spaces may/june 2009
Westside Tile & Stone, Inc.“For the love of tile…”
A designer showroom in Canoga Park, specializing in decorative tile, award-winning pool design, outdoor hardscapes, kitchens and baths.
7631 Canoga Avenue ■ 818.704.9222 ■ Open 7 days a week
LIMESTONE ■ TRAVERTINE ■ PORCELAIN ■ GRANITE ■ SLATE ■ HAND-PAINTED CERAMIC, GLASS & COPPER SINKSAward-Winning OCEANSIDE Dealer ■ SICIS ■ Trend ■ Ken Mason Tile ■ Jeffrey Court ■ COBSA ■ LEA
Colorin a whole new dimension
Here’s what our customers have to say about our store:
“Amazing!”“Extraordinary”
“Sensational”“The best selection…”
Come see for yourself!
SoCalso cool
OUTDOOR LIVING
z Razor-sharp designShield yourself with this sharp-dressed Razor Shade Platform (100”H x 130”W), designed by Dougan Clarke and manufactured by Tuuci. Clarke, an expert in sail rigging, drew from more than a decade in the marine industry to create this always tilted, razor-thin canopy. In silver or white, the umbrella is made of UV-stabilized, vinyl-coated, polyester fabric with a “sharkskin” reflective coating; in green or orange it’s made of acrylic Sunbrella canvas. Other components are stainless steel and marine-anodized alumi-num alloy. Available in green, orange, silver or white; $1,350 for the umbrella, $500 for the spe-cially made stand. From Design Within Reach; dwr.com or 800/944-2233. Photo courtesy De-sign Within Reach.
Outside‘in’
Kick back with our picks
for the coolest goods
in outdoor living,
from lighting to flooring
20 Spaces may/june 2009
may/june 2009 spaces 21
w Flower powerThe bold colors and modern floral prints are
fun, but the true power of these Flower Plates is rooted
in their construction—of light-weight, practically indestructi-
ble melamine. Another plus: They’re 11 inches wide, the ideal size for presenting whatever you’re serving, with all the sides. In a va-riety of patterns; $6.95; crateandbarrel.com or 800/967-6696.
y Warm feelingsFor the look of a built-in fireplace without the built-in price, consider one you can have without a lot of masonry fuss. This wood-burning Stone Grey Large Fireplace, in a sandy texture that ages well over time, is made from a patented concrete blend that’s lighter and stronger than concrete. It features a spark arrester (to prevent hazardous sparks from leaving the hood), as well as a firebox and grate. The three-piece interlocking unit (42”W x 72”H x 28”D), is touted as easy to assemble; $2,199; smithandhawken.com or 800/940-1170.
Grow upxThis cedar Living Wall (22”W x 59”H x 6”D) is beautiful in so many ways. It can be com-bined with others to create a partition around an outdoor living area or hung on a wall to bring natural beauty to a small space, outdoors or in (thanks to water being col-lected within a removable tray at the bottom). Two planting panels allow for both sides to come alive. Just add soil, small plants, water and sunlight; $399; smithandhawken.com or 800/940-1170.
z Sail worthyKeep your cool with this nautical-style 54-inch Sanibel ceiling fan from the Hunter Fan Co. It’s rated for damp en-vironments like covered porches and features washableoff-white sailcloth. It also promises a quiet motor and wobble-free performance. In bronze or white finishes; about $200; hunterfan.com or 888/830-1326.
22 spaces may/june 2009
SoCalso cool
Two-timerxTarget calls this the Orbit Lounger, perhaps for its circular Atomic Age styling. This all-in-one set features two chaise lounges, a retractable umbrella, comfy reclining cushions, two toss pillows and a tabletop made of tempered glass—a nice spot to place a refreshing sipper while you chat with a fellow lounger; $400; target.com or 800/440-0680.
w Hot topicIf you haven’t noticed, red is the hot new
color for appliances, indoors and out. Here’s a great-looking, great-cook-
ing grill from Char-Broil that uses evenly distributed infrared heat. Because
of that, it uses one-third less gas, and won’t catch
fire from dripping food juices. (There’s no open flame, which also helps keep food moist.) The grill, with rotisserie and 13,000 BTU side burner, offers a wide temperature range for ev-erything from slow-cooking to intense searing. With storage underneath; $599; charbroil.com or 866/239-6777.
Green lightxHow fitting that this light fixture looks like it actually belongs outdoors. This six-light Twig Chandelier (38”W x 36”H), developed by Adirondack Mountain artisans for Meyda,can be used within cov-ered patios (it’s rated for damp locations) but can be customized for wet locations. A flush-mount version is also available. About $3,300; meyda.com or 800/222-4009.
19855 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hillswww.woodlandcasual.com
818.348.6000
2� spaces may/june 2009
DebbieandNeilSchwartzareknown
forShabbatdinnerattheirBeverly
Hills home, where on comfortable
evenings the Jewish observance begins on
thebackyardpatiounderthelofty,vine-cov-
eredpergola.
“We’ll hang out here and have what we
call our Shabbas margaritas and then we’ll
goinandhavedinner,”saysNeil,aresiden-
tial real estate executive who notes that the
regularFridaynightgatheringshavedrawna
diversebunchovertheyears,includingplay-
ers fromtheLosAngelesSparks, theWNBA
organization where Debbie’s daughter once
interned.“It’sanopeninvitation,”Debbieof-
fers.“Youshouldcomeby.”
Theever-gracioushostsarehappytoshow
offtheirbackyard,thankstotheeffortsofin-
terior and garden designer Sandy Koepke.
Through a years-long collaboration, she’s
helpedtheSchwartzescreateanoutdoorliv-
ing area that suits their love of entertaining
and complements the late-1920s Spanish-
stylearchitectureoftheirtwo-storyhome.
“What I’m always trying to get at is the
By Sandra Barrera
Photos by David Crane
Outward Bound
Vintage design inspires year-round entertaining
Interior and garden designer
Sandy Koepke created a
backyard oasis for Debbie and Neil Schwartz, opposite, using
salvaged and recycled
materials like the nautical ladder at right, which
serves double duty as yard art
and a poolside towel rack.
may/june 2009 spaces 27
28 spaces may/june 2009
seamlessness of inside to outside so that
you’re really using the outdoors as part of
yourlivingspace,”Koepkesays.“‘Let’smake
thispartofourlife.Let’scomeoutherewith
our food and read the paper,’ and they do
that.Theytrulyhangouthere.”
Through a large window in the Mexican
folk-tiled kitchen, you get the first glimpse
of the outdoor entertaining area. The rustic
brickpatioisfurnishedwithdeep,comfort-
ableseatingandlushlyoverhungwithflow-
eringvines,basketsofsucculents,andgroup-
ings of well-weathered pulleys and other
flea-marketfinds.
This light-heartedapproachis thesigna-
tureofKoepke,theprincipalofLosAngeles-
“…really what I’m buying is
everybody else’s junk,” says Debbie.
may/june 2009 spaces 29
basedSandyKoepkeInteriorDesign,whose
work has been featured in national shelter
magazines,designbooksandonHGTV.
“Sandy was into old rusty things, and
really what I’m buying is everybody else’s
junk,” says Debbie, who took Koepke’s cue
andbeganscouringsecond-handstores,an-
tiqueshopsandfleamarketsforcollectibles.
Above: Decorative ironwork complements the backyard’s rustic theme while plant-adorned steps ease the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Left: A weathered-wooden bench serves as a clever shelf for Debbie’s growing collection of succulents.
Right: Succulents provide a low-maintenance option for outdoor areas.
30 spaces may/june 2009
“WedidreallywellinLongBeach…andwhen
we used to travel for basketball we’d go to
citieslikeSanAntonioandColoradoSprings
andbuyatonofstuff.
“Oh, and I bought on eBay,” she says. “I
wasaneBayaddict.”
These relics of the past give character to
theSchwartzes’outdoorsspace,whichisevi-
dentfromthemomentyouwalkouttheback
doorandontothecontainer-linedsteps.Deb-
bieandNeilpointouttheirtreasuresamidall
the color and texture of the yard, including
a giant wrought-iron chandelier that they
broughtbackfromSanAntonio.
Atthebackoftheproperty,wrought-iron
hanginglampsareclusteredinacornerofthe
poolside where colorful Guatemalan weave
upholstered chaise lounges are accented by
Catalina tile-topped side tables, vintage pot-
teryandantiquemilkcanisters.Ontheother
sideofthepool,nexttothebaseoftheflower-
ingvinethatcoversthepergola,arustyboat
ladderplungedintothedirtdoublesasyard
artandatowelhangerforswimmingguests.
Thethemecontinuesintotheguesthouse,
aconverteddetachedgarage.Adecorativeiron
gateismountedabovethedoorlikeacanopy
while a tiled tabletop mural of a flamenco
dancerisreincarnatedasawallhanging.
This is the second redesign of the
Schwartzes’ yard since the couple moved
into the upscale neighborhood just off
WilshireBoulevard11yearsago.Theywere
stilldating(eachhadbeenmarriedbefore),
sothefirstbigcelebrationinthebackyard
wastheirwedding.
Debbie was still practicing law when
theyfirstdecidedtobuilduptheyard,her
daysbookedwithclientconferences.When
thedesignerwouldcallaskingforadecision
about the design, Debbie’s response was
typically,“Whatwouldyoudoifitwasyour
house?” Not surprisingly, neither she nor
Neil was satisfied with the result, which
resultedinsparselandscapingandawhite
paintedpergola.
“We used it, we had the patio, we had
thebarbecue,wehadthewarmingoven,we
haditprettymuchasyouseeitandthenwe
hadtheoverhang,”Neilsays.“Itwaslikeyou
wouldfindinanicefinehome.Butitdidn’t
connectwiththehouseverywell.”
Itdidn’tconnectwiththeSchwartzesei-
ther. They eventually began working with
Koepke, who helped them explore the rela-
tionshipbetweentheirhomeandtheiryard
andtofulfilltheirvisionofatrueoutdoorliv-
ingplace.
Now, Neil says, “I can’t imagine living
anywhereelse.”
Right: A cluster of lanterns from Berbere
Imports in Culver City provides a
warm and flattering light for nighttime
gatherings.
Below: Recycled materials frame a
view of the Beverly Hills backyard.
may/june 2009 spaces 31
Salvaging the pastIn her hunt for re-purposed items, here are some of designer Sandy Koepke’s favorite haunts:
Long Beach Outdoor Antique & Collectible Marketwhat: More than 800 exhibitors sell antiques and
collectibles, including tins, Depression glass and Mission-style furniture.
when: 6:30 a.m.–3 p.m. the third Sunday of every monthwhere: Veterans Stadium, 5000 Lew Davis St., Long Beachadmission: $5; children under 12 freecontact: 323/655-5703; www.longbeachantiquemarket.com
Rose Bowl Flea Marketwhat: More than 2,500 vendors offer new and used
housewares, antique furnishings and more.when: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., the second Sunday of every monthwhere: Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadenaadmission: $8; children under 12 free.contact: 323/560-7469; www.rgeshows.com.
Pasadena Architectural Salvagewhat: The inventory includes stained-glass windows,
columns and fireplace mantels.when: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday,
noon–5 p.m. Sundaywhere: 30 S. San Gabriel Blvd., Pasadenacontact: 626/535-9655;
www.pasadenaarchitecturalsalvage.com
Olde Good Thingswhat: Catering to “architecturologists,” the store sells
decorative iron, doors, terra cotta and more.when: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. weekendswhere: 1800 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.contact: 213/746-8600; www.oldegoodthings.com
32 spaces may/june 2009
formThe Pavilion
is a gathering place for the
Kalbans, who relish the light
and airy feeling of the octago-nal addition.
may/june 2009 spaces 33
He’s built sophisticated campuses for
Los Angeles’ most prestigious pri-
vate schools, designed a building
at the famed Getty Center and recently won
an American Institute of Architect’s award
for a spectacular beachfront home in Mali-
bu. We couldn’t help but wonder, therefore,
about architect Jeffrey Kalban’s own home in
the San Fernando Valley: Does the creativ-
ity that brought the Southland some of its
most noteworthy landmarks infuse his own
house? A recent visit with the affable Kalban
revealed that his imagination apparently
never takes a rest.
The 1,350-square-foot bungalow that he
and wife Maria bought a quarter-century
ago has nearly doubled in size, transformed
by the addition of contemporary rooms and
complementary outdoor areas. Colorful
modern artwork by the self-taught painter
and sculptor graces every room, and even
the leather furniture in the cozy living room
is Kalban’s own design.
He’s quick to point out, however, that he
was just one member of the creative team
By Barbara Jones • Photos by John McCoy
form
function
Architect Jeffrey Kalban designs for the good life—indoors & out
34 spaces may/june 2009
responsible for the evolution of the home.
“They’re my toughest clients,” jokes Kal-
ban, nodding at Maria and their 21-year-old
daughter, Jennifer, both of whom have art-
workdisplayedthroughoutthehouse.
“IcanrelateafeelingtohimthatIwantto
createandhe’sabletotranslateit,”saysMa-
ria, a retired retail buyer and entrepreneur
whocreateswhimsicalfabricsculpturesand
weavesbrightlyhuedrunnersandthrows.
Kalbansayshisabilitytolisten—whether
tohisfamilyortohisclientsatJeffreyM.Kal-
ban&Associates—isanapproachhelearned
earlyinhiscareer,workingwithpre-eminent
architectsI.M.PeiandWilliamPereira.“You
keepinglisteningfortheexceptionalthing,”
hesays.“Youdesignfromtheinsideout.You
listen to what the client wants and to all of
theirconcerns.Onceyousolvetheproblems,
thenyoucanstartonthedesign.”
Whether it’s a residential, academic or
institutionalproject,hisdesignsare—above
all—functional,withsophisticatedlinessup-
portingaversatileuseofspace.“Everyroom
has itsownpersonalityandcharacter,”Kal-
ban says, “and it changes from day to day.”
WhileKalbannotesthatthesuccessfulproj-
ects produced by his 10-member firm are
a “team accomplishment,” there are some
constantsinallofthecreations—brightcol-
ors,uncluttereddetailsandtheetherealfeel-
ingoffreedom.
LookskywardinKalban’soctagonalfam-
ilyroomandyou’reremindedofthesoaring
arches adorning the classroom buildings he
designed for the Harvard-Westlake School.
Admire Kalban’s wall sculptures and com-
parethemtothebrighthuesoftheregional
homelesscenterhebuiltinHollywood.Run
yourhandsalongthegentlycurvedwallsand
recall the same silhouette at the Pan Pacific
Park community center. Then bask in the
may/june 2009 spaces 35
Above: A colorful wall sculp-ture by Jeffrey Kalban graces the walls of the living room.
Top right: An oversized window gives the illusion that the outdoor swimming pool flows under the house. The woven table runner was created by Maria Kalban.
Right: Comfortable furniture designed by Jeffrey Kalban provides a cozy seating area in the living room.
“ You design from the
inside out. You listen
to what the client
wants and to all
of their concerns.
Once you solve the
problems, then
you can start on
the design.”
3� spaces may/june 2009
lightsteamingintothehousefromoversized
windows throughout, and realize it’s the
sameairyfeelingyougetduringavisittothe
Getty Center’s South Building (which com-
plements the eight other Getty structures,
whichweredesignedbyrenownedarchitect
RichardMeier).
“Spaces need functions to give them life
andvitality,”hesays,“andeachspace’sfunc-
tionhastobeitsown.”
Thesameholdstrueindesigningoutdoor
spaces,saysKalban,whoexplainsbelowhow
hecreatedaseamlessexpansionofthefami-
ly’slivingspace.
In 1984, Maria and I decided it was time to move out of our apartment
and begin creating a home of our own. I had just opened my own ar-
chitecture firm, so we were not in the market for anything extravagant.
We just wanted a place that matched where we were in our lives, but
could grow along with us.
Both of us were raised back East, so were looking for something
that would allow us to take advantage of Southern California’s beauti-
ful weather. We settled on a small house built in 1939. It wasn’t exactly
what we wanted–it was interior-focused and felt closed up–but it had
interesting bay windows and a large lot. It offered opportunities, and
we set out to make it our own.
Our first project opened up the living room by replacing two
ordinary windows with doors that led to a large side yard. We
later added a bedroom wing when Jennifer was born, and more
recently built an octagonal “pavilion” that serves as a sort of family
room. Each addition was designed to add light and life to a closed-
off space. With each addition, we created a
complementary exterior space, each of which has
its own special nickname.
The Palm Court, for example, leading to the
front door, is my special place for enjoying a martini.
Shielded by layered planting and two triangular
palms, its seclusion also makes for a wonderful
place to dine. However, it can also function as
a traditional front porch, giving us access to our
neighbors and providing a rare opportunity to use
the front yard.
Just off the foyer is a glass door that takes visi-
tors out to The Fireside Room, our side yard where
a contemporary outdoor fireplace takes the chill
out of the evening air. The seating area is per-
fect for family or neighborhood
gatherings. It’s also adjacent
to the backyard, where Maria’s
green thumb has created a lush
retreat. Visitors can sit around
the pool and enjoy the sun or
seek shelter in the shady area
we’ve dubbed The Cove. The
other side of the house, facing
our art studio, is The Retreat, a
linear garden that provides the
perfect setting for seeking in-
spiration. Although the garden
is small and out of the way, we
would have missed a wonderful
opportunity had we allowed this
area to simply languish.
The octagonal addition we call The Pavilion is an indoor space de-
signed to create a feeling of being out of doors. It has huge windows on
four sides that create beautiful light and we can open them to let in the
breeze. On Halloween, we even sit in The Pavilion and hand out candy
to trick-or-treaters through the open window! Maria and Jenny were
my “clients” on The Pavilion. We all talked about what we wanted, and
designed the project from the inside out. There was a lot of trial and
error, and we probably went through a dozen designs. We didn’t know
exactly what we wanted—but we knew when it was right.
It has taken 25 years, but a house that was introspective has
been opened up to the outdoors, and the landscape has been
designed to draw visitors to all parts of the yard. The inside and
outside have become one. Our home and our lives celebrate the
beauty of Southern California.
Clever landscaping gives The Palm Court
both privacy and access to friendly
neighbors. The Retreat creates a linear garden in a secluded side yard.
The Fireside Room provides the perfect ambiance for family gatherings.
may/june 2009 spaces 37
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chef’s table
Even if you’ve never been there be-
fore,there’ssomethingveryfamiliar
about Café Firenze. It could be that
thewarmatmosphereofthesuburbanMoor-
parkrestaurantremindsyouofaTuscanvilla
youoncevisited.Orthatthearomaemanat-
ingfromthekitchenislikesomethingyour
nonnausedtomake.
Or it could be Fabio Viviani himself, the
executivechefwhocompetedinSeason5of
Bravo TV’s “Top Chef.” Although he didn’t
win the grand prize, his charming repartee
Bravo for FabioCharming chef brings taste of Florence to Moorpark
By Natalie Haughton
spokeninheavilyaccentedEnglishgarnered
accolades from viewers, who voted him the
“fanfavorite.”Hisrapportwithhisaudience
isoneestablishedduringyearsasarestaura-
teur—acareerlaunchedinthekitchenofhis
childhoodhomeinFlorence,Italy.
“I was a bad boy,” says Viviani, who was
just 6 when he joined his grandmother in
thekitchen.“Tokeepmequietandfromde-
stroying the whole house, she used to have
mehelphercook.”
The budding chef got his first restaurant
Fabio Viviani’s charisma won him accolades on Bravo TV’s “Top Chef,” and now diners can watch him at work in the open kitchen at Café Firenze.
Photos: M
ichael Ow
en Baker
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44 spaces may/june 2009
chef’s table
jobatage12andenrolledinculinaryschool
ayearlater.Inhis20s,atourofEuropegar-
neredhimexperiencecookinginrestaurants
inFrance,SpainandGermany.Bythetimehe
returnedtoTuscany,hehadtheknowledge,
skillanddrivetoopenaseriesofrestaurants
and dance clubs, along with a farmhouse
bed-and-breakfast.
But that still wasn’t enough for Viviani,
who found himself frustrated with the op-
erationhe’dcreated.“Iwasboredoutofmy
head,”herecalls.“Iwasn’tlookinganymore,
justmanagingpeople.”
Searching for broader opportunities and
anoutletforhisambition,Vivianisoldmost
of his properties and moved to Southern
California. Arriving in December 2005, he
wenttoworkinthekitchenofCaféFiorein
BALSAMIC MARTINIServes 1
3 small strawberries
4 lime wedges
¾ ounce simple syrup (purchased or homemade)
12 to 15 dashes balsamic vinegar (aged preferred)
1½ ounces vanilla-flavored rum
Ice cubes
Garnish: Whole strawberry, lime wedge
In a cocktail shaker, combine strawberries, lime wedges and simple syrup. Using a muddler or
back of a spoon, crush ingredients until strawberries are pureéd. Add balsamic vinegar, rum
and ice cubes. Shake well.
To serve, strain beverage into a chilled martini glass (adding some of strawberry puree).
Garnish with a whole strawberry and/or fresh lime wedge.
—Shared by Jacopo Falleni, mixologist, general manager and co-owner
Many of the creations at Café Firenze are made from recipes handed down by chef Fabio Viviani’s family. Beef with roasted mushrooms (bottom) is a house specialty.
Bartender Damiano Carrara mixes up one of Café Firenze’s signature drinks. At right, a balsamic martini is embellished with a watermelon slice shaped like the symbol of Florence.
Photos: B
artender, Michael O
wen B
aker; martini and appetizer, D
avid Crane
46 spaces may/june 2009
chef’s table
Ventura, which was being managed by his
best friend, Jacopo Falleni.
“Everyone thought I was crazy,” Viviani
says. “I’d never been to the United States be-
fore and didn’t speak one word of English.”
But he quickly picked up the language, as
well as the American way of life. He met and
married his wife, Jessica. And he and Falleni
bought and renovated the 9,000-square-foot
building in Moorpark that opened as Café Fi-
renze in the fall of 2007.
Specializing in Tuscan dishes with Flo-
rentine flair, many of the creations are made
from traditional recipes handed down by
Viviani’s family. He insists on baking his
own bread, making some of the pastas and
cheeses, dry-aging meat and preparing his
own desserts. His signature dishes include
butternut squash ravioli and a rib-eye steak
served with asparagus and a porcini mush-
room sauce.
“If you have a good ingredient, keep it
simple,” he says. “Don’t complicate things
with a lot of ingredients that don’t go with
the dish. Having a fancy dish with fancy in-
gredients and fancy presentation doesn’t
mean it is good. Taste and quality of ingredi-
ents are most important.”
The restaurant serves an average of 200
to 250 lunches daily, and as many as 700
dinners on a weekend night. Many of the
customers come from the San Fernando
Valley and Ventura, but also as far away as
SPOTLIGHT ON...
FABIO VIVIANIAGE: 3030
HOMETOWN: HOMETOWN: Florence, Italy.
FAVORITE FAVORITE FOODS:FOODS:F Rib-eye steak; fresh egg noodle pasta; steak; fresh egg noodle pasta; a glass of cold whole milk in the a glass of cold whole milk in the morning, and a glass of nice red morning, and a glass of nice red wine from the Chianti region at wine from the Chianti region at night. “Every day I drink three night. “Every day I drink three tablespoons of extra virgin tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. I haven’t missed a olive oil. I haven’t missed a day since I was 3 years old. My day since I was 3 years old. My cholesterol is 137.”cholesterol is 137.”
FAVORITE DISHES AT HIS FAVORITE DISHES AT HIS RESTAURANT: RESTAURANT: Roasted mushroom risotto, butternut mushroom risotto, butternut squash ravioli, dry-aged prime squash ravioli, dry-aged prime beef steaks. “I feed customers beef steaks. “I feed customers the way I like to eat.”the way I like to eat.”
FAVORITE FAVORITE FOODS AT HOME: FOODS AT HOME: FVery-thin-crust pizza, Nutella Very-thin-crust pizza, Nutella imported from Italy, homemade imported from Italy, homemade chocolate gelato. chocolate gelato.
FAVORITE KITCHEN GADGET: FAVORITE KITCHEN GADGET: Tongs. “They are an extension Tongs. “They are an extension of my own arm.”of my own arm.”
PET PEEVE: EEVE: PEEVE: P When a restaurant customer complains on a customer complains on a Saturday night that the entree is Saturday night that the entree is not served within 20 minutes of not served within 20 minutes of ordering. “Quality needs time.”ordering. “Quality needs time.”
FAVORITE RESTAURANT:FAVORITE RESTAURANT: Il Pallaio, a trattoria in Florence.Pallaio, a trattoria in Florence.
FAVORITE COOKBOOK: FAVORITE COOKBOOK: “Jamie’s Italy,” by Jamie Oliver.“Jamie’s Italy,” by Jamie Oliver.
HOBBIES: HOBBIES: Gardening; fishing; riding his Ducati motorbike.riding his Ducati motorbike.
IDEAL VACATIDEAL VACATIIDEAL VACATIIDEAL VACAT ON: Drinking a glass of ice-cold wine on a a glass of ice-cold wine on a beach in Sardinia with wife beach in Sardinia with wife Jessica.Jessica.
THE WORSTHE WORST PART PART T OF BEING T OF BEING TA CHEF:A CHEF: “If you really cook through the day and nighttime, through the day and nighttime, you smell like fry oil. But you smell like fry oil. But the best part is that if the the best part is that if the restaurant is successful, you restaurant is successful, you hire a chef and hire a chef and he smells like fry oil.”fry oil.”
The dry-aged rib-eye steak is one of chef Fabio Viviani’s favorite dishes.
Photos: V
iviani, Michael O
wen B
aker; steak, David C
rane
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48 spaces may/june 2009
chef’s table
PASTA WITH CHERRY TOMATOES AND PANCETTAServes 3 to 4
1 pound (16 ounces) fettuccine or other pasta, fresh or cooked
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
4 cloves garlic, minced or very thinly sliced
1 cup finely diced pancetta
Pinch chili flakes
3 pounds cherry tomatoes, halved (heirloom variety preferred)
Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup freshly grated Pamigiano-Reggiano cheese
Using a large sauté pan or skillet, heat olive oil until hot (but not smoking). Add garlic, pancetta
and chili flakes, and sauté over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, until garlic is translucent and
pancetta is crisp. Stir in tomatoes and salt and pepper, to taste. Cook 4 to 5 minutes until toma-
toes start to soften. Stir in ¾ cup basil and cook 20 seconds.
Remove from heat. Add cooked pasta to tomato mixture and combine well.
To serve, top with light drizzle of olive oil, additional pepper, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
cheese and remaining basil.
—Shared by Fabio Viviani, executive chef and co-owner
restaurant Café Firenze Italian Restaurant and Martini Bar 563 W. Los Angeles Ave. Moorpark 805/532-0048 www.cafefirenze.net
reservations recommended? Yesdinnerwithwine fortwo About $100
Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. A younger
crowdpacksthebaronFridayandSaturday
nights,drawnbysucheclecticconcoctions
as bell pepper, basil-lemon drop and—the
most popular—balsamic martinis. And
Viviani also teaches culinary classes twice
amonthattherestaurant.
Viviani hopes to replicate the success of
Café Firenze when he opens a second loca-
tion in Ventura, along with an Italian steak
house,bytheendoftheyear.Hisfirstcook-
book,“TheCaféFirenzeCookbook,”written
with Falleni, is scheduled to be released in
May,andhe’salreadyatworkonasecond.
Viviani’s success on “Top Chef” brought
himaslewofproductendorsements,includ-
ing San Pelligrino mineral water and Santa
Margherita Wines, along with offers for his
owntelevisionshow.SoifViviani’sfaceisn’t
familiartoyouyet,justwait.You’lllikelybe
seeinghimverysoon.
Photos: Pasta, D
avid Crane; C
afé Firenze, Michael O
wen B
aker
For more information, please call (310) 543-6118
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52 spaces may/june 2009
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cause for applause
The Big Apple — or at least Holly-
wood’s version of it— provided a
festive backdrop as the Greater San
Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce
held its 97th annual Inaugural Ball at CBS
Studios’NewYorkStreetbacklot.
Aredcarpetwelcomedthe250gueststo
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wheresomeofthe industry’smostpopular
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filmed. In addition to dinner, dancing and
entertainment,theMarch27eventfeatured
asilentauctiontobenefittheorganization’s
advocacyprograms.
The Valley’s largest chamber continued
itstraditionofhonoringbusinessandcom-
munity leaders during the gala, which this
yearcarriedthetheme“Illusions.”
TheChairman’sAwardofDistinctionwas
presentedtoMikeThomas,ownerofThomas
GraphicsinNorthHollywood,inrecognition
of his ingenuity, teamwork and contribu-
tionstothechamber.
Fouradditionalhonorswereintroduced
this year, including the Heroes Among Us
Award, established to recognize outstand-
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character.
Thefirst-everrecipientwasRossBradder,
presidentofLosAngelesCommunityBuild-
ersInc.,afaith-basednonprofitagencythat
provides outreach to at-risk children and
also provides emergency shelter and hous-
ing assistance. The community-based orga-
nizationhasapartnershipwithTheChurch
OnTheWay,whereBradderispastor.
NetOps Corp., based in Sherman Oaks,
wasrecognizedforexcellenceintechnology;
andU-FrameItGallerywonacustomerser-
viceaward.Flip’sTireCenter,whoseowner,
Phillip “Flip” Smith, passed away last year,
washonoredasFamilyBusinessoftheYear.
—Barbara Jones
No ‘Illusions’ as Valley chamber fetes business leaders
Enjoying the evening’s festivities were, from left, Jeff Hernandez, Moira Moe, Chris Schauble and Mauricio Aranda.
Photos: John M
cCoy
San Fernando Valley business leaders Bert and Jane Boechmann were among the 250 guests at the gala hosted by the region’s largest chamber of commerce.
Party-goers, from left, Lee Kanon Alpert and his wife Arlene visit with David Fleming and Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield.
Master of Ceremonies Chris Schauble greets guests dining at CBS Studios’ famed New York backlot.
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1240 S. WESTLAKE BOULEVARD, SUITE 123 WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA 91361
(805) 495-8305
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finishing touch
Lake Shrine
Lidia ShaddowStopping along the winding road through Topanga Canyon on the way to her Santa Monica art studio, Lidia
Shaddow becomes transfixed by the vivid colors, rich textures and intricate patterns of nature. They provide
the inspiration for Lake Shrine and other oil and mixed-media paintings created by the Woodland Hills artist. “I
see infinite plants, flowers and weeds, seemingly insignificant to so many, yet well-calculated and meticulously
designed,” says Shaddow, whose work is on display at galleries throughout Southern California. Born and
raised in Israel, Shaddow emigrated to the United States at age 14. She studied at the School of Visual Arts
in New York and received her bachelor’s degree from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. To see
more of her work, visit lidiashaddow.com.
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1240 S. WESTLAKE BOULEVARD, SUITE 123 WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA 91361
(805) 495-8305
please call for more information or to schedule an appointment