Urban Oasis

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Kim Warwick of the Warwick Group gives a tour of her Culver City home

“My husband and partner, Mark Warwick and I are eclectic by nature in our design tastes and we set out to marry a contemporary look and feel with warm interiors,” says designer Kim Warwick on the approach to building and designing the home she shares with her husband Mark, co-owner of the firm, in Culver City. With over 25 years experience in the design/build, architecture, construction and landscaping industries, the couple’s multi-disciplinary firm, helped guide the design of this “warm modern” residence as Warwick endearingly notes.

Blue-hued pillows complement the jewel-toned rug by JH Minassion in the living room.
Photos by Karyn Millet.
Statuarietto Italian marble from GEM International is flanked by an Ann Sacks tile backsplash. Photos by Karyn Millet.

“Our goal was to create an urban oasis, a retreat that would continually inspire us,” says Warwick. “We intentionally set the second story back in order not to feel like it loomed over the first story, creating architectural spaces to have a great sense of flow.” The 3,200-square-foot home and 350-square-foot guest house turned yoga studio/gym provides maximal outdoor living with an expansive 550-square-foot outdoor living room and an open sky deck off of the master bedroom. “The design intention of all outdoor areas, front, back and upper deck, were centered around engaging, intimate gardens and deck settings for different times of the day and evening,” she notes.    

A custom vanity wrapped in White Calacutta stone from GEM International, sit below a pair of antique bronze sconces from Maison Gerard. Photos by Karyn Millet.
Photos by Karyn Millet.

The couple juxtaposed pops of color against neutral backdrops to provide a balanced energy throughout. In the main living areas, materials like Roman clay and Terracotta create an overall soothing warmth, while notable pieces including Tibetan Sanskrit Mantra art welcomes guests. “As someone who meditates, I used this healing mantra some years ago and conceived it as an art installation for that wall,” Warwick says. “The intention is for everyone who walks past this area to benefit from the benevolent wishes embodied in the mantra.”        

Photos by Karyn Millet
The home office. Photos by Karyn Millet.

The designer strived to utilize all their existing art and furnishings collected along the way, while showcasing custom work made specific for the space. In the kitchen, vintage red leather chairs flank a custom table designed by the Warwick Group. Bookmatched walnut cabinets and Statuarietto marble, are complemented by Caeserstone and Ann Sacks tile. “We want our home to reflect our eclectic style, curated during our many travels,” she notes. “As a true design/build firm, as we do with all our clients, we took the project from architecture, through construction including all landscaping as well.”

An antique Moroccan rug from JH Minassian and white ceramic bedside Lamps by Victoria Morris from Lawson-Fenning sit in the master bedroom. Photos by Karyn Millet.
Faucets from Hansgrohe and Axor Citterio surround the tub made of Calacutta from Colorado Arizona Tile and Stone. Photos by Karyn Millet.

Located just minutes from the couple’s office in the Helm’s District, the custom home is surrounded by abundant, drought-tolerant landscaping that enhances the peaceful environment. “The design intention of all outdoor areas, front, back and upper deck, were centered around engaging, intimate gardens and deck settings for different times of the day and evening,” says Warwick.

A Meknes Aged Limestone by Exquisite Surfaces dances across the master bedroom deck beneath a custom sectional covered in fabric from Thomas Lavin. Photos by Karyn Millet.
An outdoor sculpture by Woods Davy. Photos by Karyn Millet.