- Interior
- Architecture & development
The recently completed Mandy Graham residential project in Manhattan Beach, California, is the result of an ambitious renovation. The challenge was to rethink the post-modern architecture of the 1980s.
Los Angeles-based interior and furniture designer Mandy Graham has given this 1987 house a minimalist makeover. The house has four bedrooms and is located on Walnut Avenue by Manhattan Beach. In the mid-1990s, the house had undergone a thorough renovation, which cluttered up the interior. According to Graham, the interior of the original design lacked logic. So it was a challenge to arrange the spaces in a way that made sense, because everything had to connect with each other. Graham took the arched entrance of the Californian building as a starting point and introduced wide arches into the interior. These often refer to classical or even Gothic architecture, but for Graham they are a nod to Art Deco. 
The result gives the rooms a sense of strength and timeless beauty.
The home embodies a noble character with neutral materials and contrasting textures. The walls are covered in clay plaster and the white oak floors separate the plaster floors and walls by adding warmth and contrast. The carefully selected materials are appreciated for their elegance and natural qualities with the intention that they will become even more beautiful with time. The distribution of spaces was maintained according to the original plan, with the exception of the kitchen, which Graham carefully repositioned below the high ceiling of the former living room. Here, design and functionality go hand in hand. 
The rooms flow into the surrounding gardens via French doors that open onto the front courtyard. Travertine paving, smooth plaster walls and olive trees are an extension of the house's interior palette. Furniture and art were chosen for their intrinsic qualities, including the Deisis sofa by Antonio Citterio. Each bedroom and bathroom is an example of Graham's attention to detail and thirst for architectural integrity. The ambition for this project was to respect the rules of great architecture: noble proportions and honesty of materials. The result gives the spaces a sense of strength and timeless beauty. Designer Mandy Graham chose a simple, monochromatic colour palette to diffuse natural light and create a backdrop for bold art and furniture. As always, the designer draws inspiration from both her clients and architecture. 
The ambition for this project was to respect the rules of great architecture: noble proportions and honesty of materials. The result gives the spaces a sense of strength and timeless beauty. Designer Mandy Graham chose a simple, monochromatic colour palette to diffuse natural light and create a backdrop for bold art and furniture. As always, the designer draws inspiration from both her clients and architecture. 
Want to get enchanted by more impressive projects and inspiring architecture? Be sure to follow us on Instagram on the account Imagicasa Architecture. On this page, we will share unique realisations, promising designs and innovative ideas daily.
Photography by Manolo Langis