Author: electricbowery

BIG SUR

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Since March of 2020, Electric Bowery Principal Cayley Lambur and her young family have taken up residence in Big Sur, CA, bringing new life to this Mickey Muennig gem. The property is a collection of structures and gardens that have all been uniquely upgraded to accommodate regular gatherings of extended family and friends, offering guests the quintessential Big Sur laid back coastal retreat experience.

The main house has been restored and updated to celebrate connection to the outdoors, local organic materials, and elevated yet informal furnishings and details.

The custom curved channel-tufted sofa was designed to hug views into the canyon, accompanied by a custom-designed oversized claro walnut coffee table by Dusk. Select vintage pieces are spread throughout the house and surround the main hearth.

The renovation of the existing main house required a thoughtful reconfiguration of spaces internally, including the custom kitchen, which was meticulously designed within the existing small footprint to maximize work surfaces, celebrate framed views of the gardens and ocean beyond, and minimize distraction.

A warm and earthy palette is carried through the home, layering textures and natural materials, old & new.

Custom designed beds and floating desk nooks of mixed wood materials are styled with personal and found objects.

The consistent use of redwood paneling throughout the home offers the experience of bringing the outside inwards, contrasted and complemented by the incorporation of color through art, tile and textiles.

A trailer on the property was restored and renovated to accommodate additional guest quarters, and further modified to create an office space outside of the main house for remote work.

PACIFIC PALISADES

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Electric Bowery’s design for the gut renovation of this ocean-view home was influenced by the Mediterranean character of the existing structure, with an emphasis on the more natural elements of the Spanish Colonial style.

We transformed the existing, more opulent Tuscan style and embraced a lighter, Coastal Spanish influence. We also were inspired by the clients’ love of contemporary art and music. As such, we infused a more modern and sculptural layer of furniture and objects into the more traditional architecture.

The natural plaster and soft arched openings framing views between spaces are balanced by the more unexpected collection of furniture and design elements, where richer pops of color compliment the earthy backdrop.

Dark wood flooring and ceiling accents, oxblood tile, and terracotta inlaid flooring frame the more sculptural furniture and a custom island with Rosso Toscana Marble top in the kitchen and dining areas.

Throughout the home, there is a play on pattern and scale with intricate tile work within arched frames.

To compliment the more traditional architecture of the home, lighting design throughout the home is a mix of vintage and custom collaborations. In the primary bedroom, bedside lamps are by Danny Kaplan Studio, with vintage sconces. The adjacent office features sconces by In Common With.

DEER VALLEY

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Electric Bowery was hired to redesign a mountainside ski home, elevating the intrinsic Alpine Chalet influence and infusing elements of Japanese Ryokan design and experiential cues. Working with creative entrepreneurial clients, we integrated a bold palette full of contrast into a tapestry of natural materials for an unexpected take on the Chalet typology.

Rooted in a natural palette evoking the colors of the high mountain desert as it transforms between seasons, the project includes Evergreen-tinged soapstone, Cedar clad walls, handmade Japanese tile and dark hued limestone flooring.

Charlotte Perriand-influenced lattice-work envelops the kitchen and frames the view to the dining space. A custom Vilt aan Zee-designed cluster of pendants is featured within this framed dining threshold, which is also flanked by open shelving, that houses a variety of hand thrown ceramics.

A centrally situated gathering dining banquette connects the kitchen to the main living space where floor to ceiling windows frame the views of the mountains beyond.

Custom wall paneling, woven natural wallcovering, and a saturated red clay ceiling wraps the primary bedroom which opens onto a deck with mountain views. A cedar Japanese soaking tub sits within a palette of soapstone and slate with brass fixtures, wood paneling, and custom mirrors.

Blue Spruce colored stained trim and built-in bookshelves enliven a new study, as a playful reinterpretation of a traditional Swiss vernacular. The study doubles as a guest suite with built-in day beds and a multi-color mosaic tile in the adjacent bath.

The client wanted to work with a design firm whose work felt timeless, and could seamlessly blend modern and old world. They found Electric Bowery online and felt like their portfolio spoke to this ability, so they reached out about working together on the Deer Valley house. The direction they collectively chose was rooted in the aesthetic of classic Swiss and Austrian ski chalets, but reinvented with an unexpected Japanese ryokan inspiration.

TRAILBORN

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photogaphy by Chris Harder

Inspired by the great American outdoors, this new lifestyle hotel brand’s debut property is built for today’s adventurer, putting guests at the heart of one of the country’s most extraordinary outdoor destinations. Located at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, the 2 properties include a restaurant, bar, and café, retail market, and extensive outdoor public areas, including a seasonal pool, patio, porch, and communal fire pit, all with views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains.

The designs celebrate the idea of Americana- guiding the way for collaborations with local makers and partners for a blend of new Colorado craftsmanship with a touch of nostalgia. The designers drew inspiration from the surrounding landscape and wild expanses of the park, resulting in the use of “natural colors “without being limited to muted greens and tepid tans.

The property’s own backyard contains streaks of bright neon orange moss and pops of brick red Indian paintbrush. Bringing those unexpected hues into the interiors was a respectful and exciting way to celebrate the site.

The guest rooms at the hotel are design-forward, functional, and fashioned to serve as a respite between outdoor adventures. Adding to the modern-meets-rustic aesthetic, custom furniture and lighting in natural materials are a nod to American craftsmanship – including wooden beds, sustainable cork flooring, banquette benches, side tables with inset charging stations, and multiple storage options. The spaces are neutral in tone with artwork commissioned as a nod to local surroundings, and textiles inspired by local artisans.

WILDFLOWER FARMS

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photogaphy by Read McKendree / JBSA & Noe DeWitt

The architectural design of Wildflower Farms (Auberge Resorts) is inspired by a long tradition of Swiss & Dutch design, tailored to the specific site and programmatic requirements. With a more modern take on the vernacular building typologies of farmhouse and barn, inspired by modern European architects such as Peter Zumthor, the buildings were designed to frame the surrounding mountains, nestled harmoniously into the site.

With further inspiration from Electric Bowery’s native state of California and architects such as Mickey Muennig, the material palette is composed to create a more direct connection with nature than is typically found in more traditional Hudson Valley architecture. These natural materials provide a rich backdrop for the highly curated interior design collection.

The overall site plan and design of the structures are all tailored to frame views of the natural surroundings. The holistic architecture of the structures is designed to create an experiential narrative that introduces the guests to the site and then reveals the views of the Shawangunk Ridge upon arrival at the Great Porch, the heart of the main building complex that connects the Shop and Clay restaurant.

This narrative approach allows the guest to fully immerse themselves in nature as they inhabit the space, left with a feeling of awe as they are removed entirely from their everyday life. The original Rosedale tree farm, before construction, had naturally evolved into a series of vignettes, with groupings of trees in varying formality tied together by the overgrown meadow. This inspired the concept and desire for meandering paths and discoverable moments woven within the landscape.

The overall palette of the project is composed of an abundance of natural materials – stacked stone, slate, weathered wood finishes, naturally oxidized Corten steel, to name a few – that blend seamlessly with the landscape and provide warmth through texture and lack of uniformity, but also conform to the modern architectural lines of the buildings

As a part of the overall design process, careful consideration of the materials palette and materials transition details took a front seat in the architecture, both interior, and exterior. It was particularly important to convey the indoor-outdoor living experience that was borrowed from and inspired by west coast Californian architecture, using tall storefront glass in several locations with naturally weathered and repurposed wood-clad ceilings and fin walls visually extending from the interior to exterior.

The founders of Electric Bowery, Cayley Lambur and Lucia Bartholomew met while working for Frank Gehry, and were particularly inspired by his early housing design from the 1980s, in which spare materials were used to create ‘villages’ of structures that work together harmoniously as one whole.

Character grade wood materials by Kebony as well as repurposed natural oak cladding by Madera Surfaces are prevalent throughout, as well as extensive use of textured slate tiles (as an alternative to the widespread use of local bluestone), a variety of mottled plaster wall finishes, and recycled canvas wall-covering in the Bower Cabins.

Electric Bowery worked with ownership from the early conception of the project, from initial site master planning through construction, collaborating on the evolution of the overall concept and goals for the guest experience throughout.

The Bower Cabins, Cottages, Suites, and amenity buildings together relate as part of a whole, with a consistent architectural language that adapts to the specific context within the site.

VICTORIA

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURE JOLIET

Inspired by the long history of artists seeking a creative retreat in our local Venice Beach community, Electric Bowery had the pleasure of partnering with clients who share deep roots in the arts, and were looking to create an inspired compound of their own. The relationship began with the exploration of various potential project sites, with the consideration of both new construction and renovation projects. The goal was to find the perfect combination of open area and urban energy, to create a strong balance between interior and exterior spaces.

The site that was ultimately selected was an oversized Venice lot that provided the flexibility to design a home with a unique program including accessory spaces for art, yoga, and meditation, without sacrificing ample exterior living space. Early precedents were taken from Hacienda style architecture and modern ‘family compound’ layouts, with an emphasis on an interior layout that would unfold into the gardens, bringing light and air into the living spaces.

Laced together by limestone and vein-cut travertine finishes that carry from the exterior of the buildings and hardscape to interior architectural moments, custom steel windows frame each view between spaces with thoughtful intention.

Upon entry through the front gates, the property is perceived as a contained sanctuary within surrounding courtyard walls, with meandering gardens connected by architectural cornerstones and passageways. All landscaping including select specimen trees – two large olives and one exceptionally large jacaranda – is by LA-based Terremoto, softening the built environment. The warm white tones and textures of the architecture provide a clean canvas to highlight the lush garden design.

Custom crafted millwork throughout the home in bleached oak and an indigo-ebony finish, all designed by Electric Bowery, are paired with an unexpected yet classic consideration of interior finishes and fixtures.

The simplicity in architectural form is elevated through careful detailing to ensure that the intended composition of the home is kept intact through all material transitions. A variety of Apparatus Studio fixtures serve not only as functional lighting sources but also sculptural design elements.

Interior plaster finishes in warm whites, subtle blush tones, and bolder turquoise bring an additional layer of warmth and unexpected vibrancy to the home, playing off the verdant landscape that together create the feeling of a lush retreat within the property walls.

With this composition of handcrafted built-in elements, and a palette of materials defined by rich natural texture, Electric Bowery created a unique environment imbued with aspects of Wabi-Sabi to foster the daily creativity of our like-minded clients.

VENICE CANALS

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With the remodel of their client’s light-filled two-story Venice Beach townhome, Electric Bowery gave this home a chic French edit where bold finishes tell a color story in every room.

The materials, cabinetry, and furniture were strategically selected to pair with the couple’s vast art collection.

Brazilian green and black stone inspired by Bisco Smith’s abstract graffiti envelop the kitchen.

14-foot moss green bedroom walls are an extension of a wildly colorful Wendall Gladstone painting.

A classic Venice Beach Hugh Holland skateboard photograph gets new life in a clay pink plastered powder room.

Against the grain of trendy neutrals, the bold mix of colors and sculptural formal moments create an ideal backdrop for the homeowner’s art-filled life.

CASA CODY

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photography by Lance Gerber & Josh Cho

Inspired by coastal Spain, Electric Bowery composed a rich palette of color & texture to complement the existing historical character of Casa Cody. Casa Cody is the oldest operating hotel in Palm Springs, founded in the 1920s by Hollywood pioneer Harriet Cody, cousin to the legendary Buffalo Bill. The project blends historic preservation with fresh and modern colors, textures and patterns, honoring its Spanish Colonial Revival heritage and adobe hacienda architecture with a new lens.

Quiet and secluded yet just steps from Palm Springs’ center, Casa Cody is a romantic respite with 29 rooms including three free-standing accommodations across well-manicured grounds, situated in front of the rising backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains under the open skies of the California desert.

Casa Cody is a designated Class I Historic Site, Palm Springs’ highest level of historic preservation protection. In the early 1900s, Harriet and Harold Bryant Cody came by wagon from Hollywood to Palm Springs where they settled on land that was to become Casa Cody and built a home.

With warm coral velvet, textured blue-green accents, and otomi-patterned pillows, the rooms are imbued with depth to enliven the existing plaster interior.

Each room features richly colored zellige tile and deep blue millwork in the bathrooms and bar areas, reflecting the Mediterranean influence in a modern design.

Electric Bowery custom designed upholstered elements and cabinetry in the space for an inviting, residential feel. Dark wood tones balance the rich pops of color, creating a classic yet modern aesthetic that is unlike any other in Palm Springs, as unique as the vibrant history of the property.

With multiple courtyards and spacious lawns against a serene mountain backdrop, Casa Cody is a sanctuary within the creative bustle of downtown Palm Springs.

WRIGHTCREST

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photography by Laure Joliet

Electric Bowery worked closely with their design-forward clients to brighten and refresh this classic California mid-century ranch, located minutes away from the creative hub of downtown Culver City, home to film studios & boutique tech startups alike. The single-level home is nestled in the charming hillside of Blair Hills neighborhood with spectacular views of downtown LA and surrounded by lush landscaping framed from the living spaces within.

The homeowners, both prominent in the creative, tech start-up world, are also avid art collectors. Their modern collection became a driving force for the design of the home, along with the intent to brighten and open up the previously dark, compartmentalized spaces.

Light walnut wood ceilings were added along with polished warm grey concrete floors, with new windows that maintained the classic architectural form. The interior design departs from a purely mid-century aesthetic, with warm, hand-hewn touches in the millwork and furniture selections.

Lighting design from Lindsey Adelman, Apparatus, and Rich Brilliant Willing bring a more contemporary touch to the project, and complement the curation of the fine art collection as sculptures in their own right.

With a bright, sun-drenched palette and a layout that spills onto the pool deck, and expansive views of Los Angeles beyond, the home is both a comfortable retreat, as well as a sun-filled gallery to highlight the homeowner’s collection and lifestyle.

While embracing the existing detailing, adding a warm and bright palette of interior finishes, and curating a selection of art and lighting, Electric Bowery created a unique balance of organic and composed design within this verdant hillside retreat.

SILVER LAKE POOL & INN

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photography courtesy of palisociety

Electric Bowery was immediately inspired by Silver Lake’s historical legacy as a magnet for iconoclasts and its reputation as the Bohemian epicenter of Los Angeles. The warm and sunny climate, over 50 storybook staircases knitting the lush hills together, and the eclectic personalities of locals that Silver Lake Pool & Inn would soon attract all contributed to the design elements and overarching desire to create an informal and melodious meeting place in the neighborhood.

In addition to Silver Lake’s history and natural landscaping, inspiration came from a myriad of eclectic sources. The work of Luis Barragán, a pioneer of Mexican Modernism, was frequently referenced for his genius in eliciting tranquility from clean lines, natural materials, color and use of light.

This feeling was achieved through Electric Bowery’s use of natural, handmade and vintage elements, sunset tones and open, inviting spaces, ultimately creating a place to connect, create and relax.

The Southern California climate allowed for most social spaces to be outdoors, with intimate and casual seating in the garden-like atmosphere within verdant, cascading terraces joined together by exterior staircases, echoing the local context.

Flagstone flooring and handmade Moroccan and Italian tilework within tree-covered courtyards create intimate oases in which locals and tourists alike find themselves at ease and refreshed. Electric Bowery tied the exterior spaces together with smooth finish plaster & vintage stucco, paying homage to the Mexican influence on Southern Californian architecture.

Within the hotel guest rooms, a warm and singularly Californian ethos was achieved through custom millwork, handmade Moroccan tile, and terrazzo nightstands and vanities commissioned by Concrete Collaborative.

A sense of spaciousness and warmth was achieved by optimizing natural light and supplementing with vintage-inspired floor lamps, sconces and fixtures by ANDlight.

Armchairs made of leather and wood, prints by Blockshop and Alexandra Berg, and Laure Joliet photography animate the space while live plants and antique rugs unique to each room accomplish Electric Bowery’s desire for every guest to experience subtly distinct decorative elements.

A cactus garden inset within the hotel and exterior stairways connecting the outside terraces blur the line between exterior and interior space, creating a social sanctuary within the urban Silver Lake context.

CRESCENT PLACE

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photography by Douglas Friedman

The Crescent Place project was a renovation of a charming but dated 1927 Spanish-style home on one of Venice’s coveted walk streets. The objective was to enhance the character of the original home while upgrading the fixtures and finishes and reworking the layout to create a more functional family home for the owner and her three boys.

Electric Bowery designed and managed extensive changes to the interior of the home, including a new bifold front door system, completely renovated kitchen, and new custom millwork throughout the home. This project was designed in close collaboration with the homeowner client, who brought her eclectic and elegant style to every aspect of the design.

Electric Bowery reworked the upper floor plan to convert a den off the Master Bedroom into a new Master Bathroom, and fully remodeled two additional bathrooms. The material palette is rich and luxurious with warm walnut millwork, luminous onyx, exquisite mosaic tilework and dramatic quartzite.

Several custom pieces were conceived and executed for the home, including a unique built-in sofa designed by the client’s friend, Tess Bethune and built by local furniture maker Armand Stansbury, and leaded glass pivoting windows in the Master Suite by stained glass artist Adamm Gritlefeld. The final result is a stunning, layered home that reflects the owner’s radiant personality and style.

ANGELUS

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photography by Laure Joliet

The Angelus Project was an interior renovation of a 1960’s mid-century home perched atop a lush Silver Lake hillside. Electric Bowery was tasked with reworking the existing floor plan and reselecting fixtures and materials to reflect the clients’ taste in handmade, modern design.

Electric Bowery opened up the existing layout by removing the wall separating the entry and kitchen, allowing for improved flow and light into the space. The home’s existing floors were replaced with bleached walnut flooring, and walls were resurfaced with a velvety plaster finish.

The kitchen was completely overhauled, with the addition of a large center island, custom hickory cabinets, poured-in-place white concrete counters, and textured earthenware tile. Floating shelves were fabricated from reclaimed local Magnolia wood to house the clients’ ceramics collection.

Built-in niches and an over-scaled built-in dining bench were constructed to showcase the homeowners’ extensive collection of art, books and objects, as the open floor plan created a place for dinner conversations to spill into the living room over music-filled evenings.

An exterior pergola was added over the deck to create an outdoor extension of the living area and provide a shady refuge to take in the sweeping views of the Los Angeles skyline.

OJAI

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photography by Tessa Neustadt

Set in the East End of Ojai amongst expanses of orange groves and mountain views, the Ojai house was the result of an extensive renovation to create a bright & airy family home – an escape from the city. The original floor plans presented great challenges, with the existing house having been added on to over the decades without any consideration to light or circulation

Electric Bowery worked closely with the client, along with Amber Interiors, to reconfigure and redesign the home in its entirety – a complete transformation within the existing footprint that gave the home new life.

Paired with extensive landscape by Paul Hendershot, a fifty-foot pool, outdoor entertaining pergola and completely new glazing and recladding of the existing structure, the resultant Ojai house stands out as a particularly warm and inviting home inside and out, fit perfectly within its picturesque setting.

HART

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photography by kate berry

The existing house was on a street with beautiful quaint historic beach cottages. Electric Bowery took on the challenge of taking a monolithic industrial building and reintegrating it into the neighborhood’s warm friendly vibe. The design objective was to imbue the home with the feeling of life you find inside a classic beach bungalow, despite the stark nature of the existing bones of the building.

Creating a home that embodied the social and open spirit of beach living meant opening up the main living space. The kitchen was moved from a dark corner to a central location, with the dining area radiating towards the living room. It feels and works as one, but with function delineated to specific areas.

Electric Bowery created an outdoor spa and lounge adjacent to the master bedroom, where the clients can enjoy the sea air in their own private oasis, with a plunge pool, hot tub and outdoor fireplace.

With a fresh white brick facade, the building was transformed into a modern take on a beach cottage, with an interior palette that brings harmony with the beachside community.