A B E L  a r c h i t e c t u r e                                     

• New British Arts & Crafts Equestrian Estate
• 8,500 sf on 122 acres
• Turreted stone equestrian stable
• Sunken English flower garden
• Rose & Herb gardens
• Pool terrace

 This project was the alignment of client, site, budget, style and research that made for an epic undertaking.  We had designed  a prior Newport Beach residence for the Matthews Family, they contacted us again for their destination dream home.

Mr. Matthews had attended USC on an architecture scholarship, he held a deep interest in the British Arts & Crafts  houses of architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and the landscaping of Gertrude Jekyl, contemporaries of Frank lloyd Wright. 

We flew into the Santa Ynez Valley to walk 122 acres being sold by Santa Barbara Thoroughbred Farms.  We enter the property of rolling hills of massive oaks as a dozen polo ponies circle  like puppies and follow us through the day.  We site the entrance gate, the layout of a 2,000 ft. driveway to locate the house with mountain view's within a circle of old Oaks and a stream passing by.  With the property in hand, we took off for one mighty lap of merry old England.

Extensive research went into the design and detail of this authentic estate. We traveled through the Cotswold's, Bath, Lyme Regis, Cornwall then back to Kent studying the great country houses, wrapping up in London.  We scoured the shops and galleries of Kings Road, collecting rugs, artwork, furnishings and the perfect grandfather clock.   Our goal was to create an authentic estate true to the period in every detail with the ethic of the British Arts & Crafts movement. 

The client wished to be very involved in all phases of research, design and construction documents.  The steep 16:12 roofing is double cambered hand-made clay tile from England with swept valleys and bonnet tiles. The exterior stucco is a true pebble dash finish literally thrown on creating the rough texture. All exposed beamwork and half-timbering is hand adzed.  Walls are 14" thick with custom limestone lintels and custom bricks framing each window with custom leaded glass.  Carved limestone surrounds the entrance door with Lutyens' exposed spring steel lockset hardware replicated back East by artisan Kevin Moreau. 

Hand-carved detailed oak arches line the entrance hall with distressed, wide plank polished dark wood floors, authentic lighting, adzed beamwork, period millwork & cabinetry, period rugs and five custom brick fireplaces complete the continuity of British Arts & Crafts detail throughout this wine country equestrian estate. 

Proctor Residence                                       

961 Summit                                     Laguna Beach, Ca 

• Tuscan remodel
• 2,100 sf

Simon  Residence                                       

451 San Bernardino                    Newport Heights, Ca

• New Santa Barabara Italian
• 4,500 sf

Italian  Residence           Trabuco Canyon, Ca

• 6,200 sf Santa Barbara Italian style
• 4 acre hilltop site
• 4 car subterranean garage

Italian  Residence           Trabuco Canyon, Ca

• 5,600 sf curved Santa Barbara Italian style
• 4 acre hilltop site
• In Construction

Connolly  Residence      Tijeras, New Mexico

• New Sante Fe style residence
• 4,000 sf
• 4 acre hillside site

Matthews Residence                                

537  Redlands  Street                    Newport Beach, Ca

• New British Arts & Crafts style residence
• 4,350 sf

Lock  Residence                      Encinitas, Ca

• Greene & Greene Craftsman style residence
• New  4,450 sf

Flowers Residence                                     

1664  Catalina  Street                       Laguna Beach, Ca

• New Cape Cod style residence
• 2,250 sf

Clemence  Residence                     

1508 Galaxy Street          Newport Beach, Ca

• Arts & Crafts remodel
• 4,500 sf

This Japanese inspired Arts & Crafts home, was showcased in American Bungalow Magazine, Spring  2008 issue #57.  The Arts & Crafts detailing features distressed, stacked & strapped beams, wood joinery, teak cabinets and doors crafted in Thailand, mahogany trimwork and exquisite stained glass throughout by famed artisons, Theodore Ellison and Brian McNally. 

Period lighting by Sue Bacon of Historic Lighting highlight the Clemence's rich collection of period furniture, pottery, tapestries, pewter and glass from Tiffany, Stickley and Roycroft. 

Bunting  Residence                        

353 Hawthorne              Laguna Beach, Ca

• Craftsman remodel
• 2,100 sf

Before

After

Reinhart Ranch   Silverado Canyon, Ca

• New Adirondack style log home
• 4,300 sf on 92 acres
• Presently under construction