Topanga Hilltop Retreat

When you have the opportunity to stage an architectural home snuggled against a Topanga, CA hillside amongst three acres of oaks, red rocks and cacti, you’d jump at the chance. And jump we did. When we toured this home and saw its amazing location, huge glass walls, floor-to-ceiling fireplace and fresh white floors, we had but one thought: How soon can we stage it?

When a front door opens to a scene like this, how could you not want to step right in?

We adore this Pottery Barn Tibetan wool rug — and its rusty hue, which ties in with the California coastal scrub on the hillside just out the window. An Eames lounge and ottoman repro with an Eames low wire base end table live happily with a grasshopper-style lamp we found on Amazon.

There’s not a room that doesn’t benefit from the addition of a Noguchi coffee table. We love and use ours in all styles of properties. Here, it seems right at home sharing space with a transitional-shaped armchair and a simple dark gray sofa with chrome legs.

This home’s fireplace emulates Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of blending into the landscape. The concrete feels strong, elemental and, well, so Topanga. A faux banana tree brings the outside in, while a serene bundle of birch logs fills a large dough bowl.

A unique step-up dining room affords it a place of prominence. So nothing less than our vintage 60” round vintage dining table would do. We surrounded it with light Scandinavian chairs so it would seem to virtually float. Another wall of windows, this time framing a natural rock garden of red rock boulders.

A richly textured beaded pillow ups the organic factor, while the chair’s light wood frame ties into the dining chair legs. Simple shapes and natural textures abound and large-leafed trees and plants thrive in the abundant light.

We love the look of a cowhide rug under a dining table, especially in open-floor plan homes. Here, the contrast of rich brown against the white painted floors feels especially fresh.

In the kitchen, a simple black tray holds a tall wooden vase with native plants. The statement sconce repeats the matte black of the window frames, fixtures and finishes throughout the home.

We’ll admit it. We have a thing for pantries. And this one was no exception, in fact it might be our fave so far. Come on, a white interior with strong black industrial glass doors? It just doesn’t get any better than this, pantry-wise.

The master bedroom is a study in Hygge — warm, textural, neutral and cozy as the inside of a Nordic ski lodge. Here, West Elm’s nubby ivory rug grounds the room in comfort, while grays and sweater-y blankets cover the bed.

We love these ‘lil’ nightstands we found on Amazon — so affordable for those of us who covet Scandi style on a budget. With shiplap walls and a simple brass sconce, all that’s needed here is a stack of books for bedside reading and a sprig of something green in a Target Project 62 vase.

What could be more Scandi than a modern organic fireplace in your master bedroom? We stacked up a few birch logs and put a trio of vases in the niche.

Don’t even get us started on this master bathroom. We’re just going to leave this image right here. Oh, and this property is so private, your only Peeping Toms will be the coyotes.

Trough sinks and natural cement tiles appear throughout the home. The fixtures range from soft burnished brass to matte black.

In a guest bedroom, more Hygge softness — this time in the form of a fluffy Moroccan rug, a cute rounded platform bed and a Mid Century modern bench. A small matte black arc lamp and an original framed photograph of a Joshua tree are all that’s needed to fill out the space.

A Mid Century modern armchair, solid wood tree trunk table and a white ladder against a windowed closet with black-framed industrial doors. A B&W framed photo of a wild horse reinforces the wild naturalness of this home’s location.

In another guest room, a guitar rests against Room and Board’s studio sofa with a soft sheepskin underfoot.

A leather butterfly chair and reading material in the corner. Time to unplug and get off the grid — You’re on “Topanga time.”

The patio conjures up images of long-into-the-night dinner parties with friends, laughing around a generous wood-topped table and Danish modern style Dwell Studio for Target chairs. With red rocks like these as your dinner companions, you’re in good company!