Rooted in Nature

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Joseph Spierer Architects and Tim Clarke Design Studio reinterpret the magical style of the Pacific Northwest through a Southern California lens

The entry features Bruno Moinard’ Suasa Dining Table. Photos by Noah Webb.

“Rooted in a modern coastal interpretation of Pacific Northwest architecture, this Palos Verdes home strikes a harmonious balance—reaching outward toward the cliffside while remaining deeply grounded. With clean lines, organic materials and a seamless sense of flow, the design evokes a feeling of both permanence and expansiveness,” says Joseph Spierer of Joseph Spierer Architects about the design of this 5,400-square-foot home in Palos Verdes.

In the living room, a French mid-century Oak Commode faces a Marc Phillips Rug. A Lucca Studio Donovan Bronze Mirror hangs over the mantel. Photos by Noah Webb.
The dining area features Altura Furniture’s Duette Butterfly table and A. Rudin’s No. 851 Chair. Photos by Noah Webb.

Inspired by the sweeping views, the clients wanted their new home to feel like an extension of the surrounding nature while remaining comfortable. “Our clients’ goals were to create a home that felt grounding, safe and reflective of who they are—a space that tells their story through the layers of their travels, values, and memories,” Tim Clarke of Tim Clarke Design recalls. “A seamless connection between indoors and out was especially important—using light, natural materials and open flow, so that the garden and coastal air feel like part of their daily life. Large windows and sliding glass doors open wide to blur the line between inside and out, taking full advantage of the views and immersing the home in its stunning surroundings!”

The kitchen counter stools are from Lawson-Fenning and the dining table is by Troscan. Photos by Noah Webb.
Photos by Noah Webb.

They brought in Robin Benezra Studio on the landscape design, to help bring the clients’ vision to life. “This site is truly spectacular,” says Spierer. “With the west property line rising 150-feet above the Pacific Ocean, our charter was to design a home that celebrates this extraordinary setting, capturing the breathtaking views and embracing the surrounding landscape. Because of the sheer drop of the cliffside, the site had to be stabilized. To anchor the home securely into the terrain, the foundation required 120-foot-tall caissons, ensuring long-term structural integrity while allowing the architecture to appear light against its rugged backdrop. “

A Constance Posse audio cabinet holds the record player in the music room. Photos by Noah Webb.

For years, the homeowners escaped to a beloved vacation home in the Pacific Northwest that had a feel they wanted to mimic in this ground-up build. “The design challenge became clear: how do you infuse the soulful spirit of the Pacific Northwest into a distinctly Californian coastal home?” Clarke notes. “The solution wasn’t in mimicry but in translation—capturing the essence of one place and expressing it through the lens of another.”

In the primary bathroom, Baker’s Sublime king bed sits atop a Marc Phillips Rug and is flanked by a pair of Parkman nightstands.
Photos by Noah Webb.
A guest suite features Lucca Studio’s Howell Bench in Oak and Lawson-Fenning’s Orb Lamp. Photos by Noah Webb.
Photos by Noah Webb.

The result is an open, airy structure that features natural materials and multiple areas open to the outdoors, with pops of personality throughout. “Our clients were so happy with the results,” Clarke remarks. “They had envisioned a glimpse of the Pacific Northwest within a West Coast home, and the final design beautifully reflected their travels and the elements most meaningful to them. It was a special project—seeing how months of thoughtful conversation and decision-making transformed their vision into a true sanctuary for their family.”

Photos by Noah Webb.