Colorful Midcentury Modern from the Ocean
Los Angeles area residents Robert and Petra Wirsching were hesitant about leaving the vibe and culture of big-city life for those suburbs of Orange County, California. But one unbearable triple-digit August day, the couple went for a cruise south from their home in Encino in their 1969 Cadillac convertible to see a friend in Laguna Beach.
“As we neared the coast, we noticed the exterior temperature got cooler and cooler,” remembers Robert. “We thought, this is something we can get used to.” As they approached Pacific Coast Highway in south Laguna Beach, they were awestruck by the view of the Pacific — so awestruck they missed the turn into their buddy’s house.
Going back, they handed a tract of homes that seemed just like a midcentury modern utopia. “Petra went nuts,” says Robert. A couple of months afterwards, the couple left their familiar digs and buddies in L.A. and purchased a fixer-upper in that exact same Laguna Niguel area.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Robert and Petra Wirsching; their son, Marco; and their cats, Rocky and Zucchini
Location: Laguna Niguel, California
Size: Around 2,500 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, studio apartment downstairs
That’s intriguing: A Mark Bennett print Constructed for Wirsching, a fan of the TV series I Dream of Jeannie, hangs on the fireplace.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
The main living area is really one big room. A low, thick-walled chopped yellow divider separates the kitchen from the living room and supplies one of the very few actual walls in the principal regions of the home.
Designed from the late architect George Bissell in the early 1960s, the home integrates the indoors with the outdoors, which makes the transition almost seamless. The surrounding land was mostly undeveloped whenever the homes in the tract were constructed, allowing for sea views from all. Rather than partitions, Bissell designed floor-to-ceiling glass windows and sliding doors. As a result, there is hardly any wall space on which to hang artwork.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Before the Wirschings could inhabit the home, some hefty remodeling required to happen. Fortunately, Robert is a general contractor specializing in timber finishing, cabinetry, floors, tile setting and high-end painting.
Among the first things he did was replace the faded burgundy carpets. In its position went ash hardwood floors, extending into the kitchen. Shiny, embossed 1970s-era background was removed, and walls were painted white, but for the panel separating the kitchen from the living room.
Among those cats, Rocky, rests on the Design Within Reach couch here. The granite table was purchased at a consignment store, and the blue glass bowl is Murano.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
The Wirschings’ home is two stories. The main living space, including the backyard, is about the second degree, constructed against an embankment. When you enter the home, the door to the right opens into the garage, and to the left is a big studio that Robert uses within an office.
The entryway is a landing pad for the family’s comings and goings. Jackets become hung on the Henry Miller Hang-It-All, while a white IKEA locker under the staircase holds shoes. Balls and athletic equipment are corralled in big black wire floor containers. The horizontal shelves will also be IKEA.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Once the new floor and improvements were in place, the Wirschings moved in, adding their set of different Eames and other midcentury chairs and tables, lamps, accessories and paintings.
The fiberglass-shell rocker is an original Eames chair, as would be the bent plywood Eames Herman Miller chairs.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
A 1960s mahogany game table functions as the dining table. “Most dining tables are 30 inches high,” Robert says. “This one is 27.5. It was custom built for someone who liked to gather ’round the table and play cards maybe have a couple drinks.” The table and leather captain’s chairs came from a consignment store in West Los Angeles.
The few additional thick glass to cover the surface, allowing for a view of this gorgeous, rich wood with no stress of scrapes or water stains. The silver Bar is a retired Nambé piece; it retains orange and royal blue Kosta Boda votives.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
The open design blends the living room, dining area and kitchen altogether. To break up the space, the pair grouped an original Wassily chair (made by Marcel Breuer) and Barcelona seat (made by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe) and an Eames tulip table create an intimate setting beside the fireplace.
Hanging on the fireplace wall is a Mark Bennett printing designed for Wirsching, who is a fan of the older TV series I Dream of Jeannie.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Robert designed and remodeled the kitchen around five years back. The kitchen consists of cherry wood cabinetry with a horizontally positioned grain, Caesarstone countertops, and Fisher & Paykel appliances, such as a drawer-style dishwasher.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
The dining room space provides a view of this Wirschings’ backyard.
Petra’s proudest moments as a homeowner are when she’s entertaining guests. And that would she enjoy sitting at her dining table nowadays? “President Obama, Frank Gehry, Brad Pitt and Adele,” says Petra, adding, “Of course, Adele would possess to sing!”
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Art by Mark Bennett decorates the hallway.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Son Marco’s room is modest, but space is economized with an IKEA bookcase for a storage and headboard. A glowing red accent space pulls together the youthful space, and a floating shelf offers additional storage.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Since Marco’s room is modest, Robert and Petra capitalized on the perpendicular space in the room, adding a loft space above the built-in cupboard. They installed carpets, a railing and a ladder so Marco can have easy access into the nook.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
While the in-ground swimming pool takes up much of the garden, areas are established with specific activities in mind. Wood decking was put over the concrete to generate an outdoor living room and a location where Marco and his buddies can be viewed by an adult while in the pool. Additional “rooms” and outdoor spaces in back incorporate a raised vegetable garden, a koi pond, a dining room, a barbecue, and Petra’s prized teahouse escape.
Petra and Robert oil and sand their teak garden furniture with linseed oil every couple of weeks to maintain its warm, rich brown colour. Petra’s collection of blue and white ceramic bought while traveling or at estate sales or antique stores makes for a beautiful centerpiece.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
Japanese and Far East accessories and decorations were added to Petra’s teahouse. Petra is a nurse that frequently works shifts and awakens for work about 4:30 a.m., so she frequently flows for a restorative day nap on her Futon inside.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
More than 100 dead rosebushes were removed from the yards in front and back. The landscaping was created more indigenous to the area and simpler to maintain.
Ever the vintage furniture shoppers, the Wirschings found this pair of pool lounges at a garage sale in L.A.. They were produced around the 1950s or 1960s out of fiberglass.
Lisa Hallett Taylor
The exterior includes a yellow-green painted door. The identical hue is taken up to the second degree. Two little children’s chairs and a Japanese-style fountain at the side of the door welcome all to the diverse home.
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