The NoBel House

The Building Of Our Dream Home
- Villa NoBel -
28 March 1999

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Sometime in early 1995, Bill decided to explore the possibility of having his bachelor's home, one of the few remaining original beach cottages in Playa del Rey, converted to a bigger house designed to his taste. Bill hired an architect, whose known style was compatible with what he had envisioned. For some months, the plans remained merely blue prints, since he still was not sure if he was ready to start building.

In September 1995, after Bill and his partner, Sean Saba, returned from their first overseas trip together to the island of Ibiza, off the coast of Spain, they brought back with them a deep appreciation for the Mediterranean style of architecture. They wanted features of this particular style to be incorporated into the dream home that they now envisioned together.

In March 1997, Bill and Sean were able to acquire another house fronting a lagoon, located in the next street closer to the beach, at 6501 Esplanade. After some months spent remodeling it, they moved into this 1968 Victorian style house. Now, they were free to build on the Vista del Mar property. Remodeling the Esplanade house was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun, especially for a “Home Improvement” Tim Allen “wannabe” like Bill. Little did he know how different building a new house from the ground up was in comparison to remodeling an old house.

Sean wanted the new house to be a functional space for entertaining guests. He asked Bill if they could make some changes in the original plans. At first, the changes seemed simple in theory, but they later on proved to be complicated technically and financially. After some more time and money, the design changes were completed. The financing fell into place, and they were now on the threshold of realizing their dream.

By the start of 1998, the mortgage of the old house on Vista del Mar was paid in full. In February, this cozy, little beach house, its front and backyard surrounded by a white picket fence, was razed, and ground broken. A month later, Bill and Sean asked their good friend, Mike Pohjola, and his creative group to be their general contractor, to oversee the project and add additional artistic flavor to their personal tastes.

After months of debating on the colors of the house, they finally came to an agreement. At first, Bill wanted the exterior colors to blend the hues of Sedona or Sahara. Sean, on the other hand, frustrated that they were not able to celebrate both their birthdays onboard a cruise to Mykonos, Greece, in August of the previous year, fantasized by browsing through travel brochures . . . and VOILA!...The exterior colors and architecture of the house were partly inspired by the white cubic houses of Chora’s waterfront, typical of the Cycladic stylism abundant in the most sophisticated and cosmopolitan of the Greek Isles. (The labyrinthine designs were intended to confuse the 18^th century invading pirates, and its success is evident when one is soon lost among streets of white-washed houses with balconies covered with bougainvillea and scented jasmine.) In addition, the pair wanted to incorporate some of the architectural heritage of Mexico. They added a dash of colonial Mexico, as seen in some villas and old haciendas, with a splash of that eclectic California beach flavor. The chimney top, roof top rim, deck trellis, roof deck gate, spiral stairwell, wet bar cabinets, balcony columns caps and floor trims, planter box and pottery, mahogany front doors, outdoor stairwell beam and banisters, outdoor cylinder lamps, walkway gates, mailboxes, and garage doors were detailed in a Charter Cobalt Blue as an accent color to complement this stark white block architecture and enhance that contemporary beachy Mediterranean feeling.

By Thanksgiving 1998, after the pair had overcome several trials and building setbacks, they moved out of Esplanade and into their newly completed house on Vista del Mar. Now, March 1999, more than a whole year since breaking ground, after settling in and acquiring some added new furniture and garniture, they present Villa Nobel del Rey, The “NOBEL” House - named after their respective mothers. Sean’s whose name is NOra and Bill’s whose name is maBEL. These women have been their pillars of strength. If this house is structurally strong, then so is their bond with each other and with their mothers.

The Nobel house is nestled right on the sand bordering the protected Ballona Wetlands. It is a stone’s throw away from a bike path leading to the Fisherman’s Village overlooking the main channel of the Marina del Rey harbor, and onto the carnival atmosphere of the Venice Beach BoardWalk towards the north. It is just around the corner from the Del Rey lagoon and Playa del Rey Beach. It is just a short stroll from local pubs, cafes, restaurants, salons, florists, grocery stores, cleaners, and bus stops. Furthermore, it is just a ten-minute drive to and from the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and a few miles from the west end points of the Marina 90 and Century 105 freeways. Moreover, it will soon be at the heart of the Playa Vista Development, where the movie studios of DreamWorks SKG, among other development and restoration projects, will be built.

The house features a subterranean split double two-car tandem garage with plenty of tool storage space and an air-conditioned wine cellar. A security code panel, besides the usual remote controls, can also open the two garage doors. This carport then leads one to the foyer of the first stop of a custom five-stop elevator with crown and base moldings. Carmen McKenna and John Berol, their tenants, have their recreation room and bath directly behind this space. At the back is a spacious patio of red concrete flooring, accentuated by a fountain featuring frolicking twin dolphins, enclosed by a glass fence, and illuminated by three solid brass mission post lights. It ends just a few feet away from the wetlands grave of Koko, Bill and Sean’s eleven-year-old chocolate Labrador Retriever, who passed away last May 22^nd, Memorial Day weekend 1998. The driveway, planters, walkways, steps, and outdoor stairwell are edged and lined with three different kinds of brick. Carley, Bill’s niece, filled the planters, pottery, and trellis with an array of flowers and plants to give the white and blue structure a sprinkle of rainbow colors. To the right side of the house is an enclosed outdoor stairwell that leads one to the front door entrances to the second and third levels. Illumination comes from a solid brass mission wall lantern and sunlight coming through sandblasted windows on each level. Just past the outdoor stairwell is the outside entrance to the second stop of the elevator that lifts one from the garage level to the second story of Carmen and John, and to the third and fourth stories of Bill, Sean and Carley.

The main story of Carmen and John, on the second level, can be accessed both by the outdoor stairwell and by the third stop of the elevator. It is a two-bedroom/two-bath unit painted in Carmen’s aesthetic choice of soothing shades of pastel blues. The hardwood floors and custom built-in kitchen cabinets are made of birch. The master bedroom suite has a walk-in closet and the master bath features art deco vanity lights, a whirlpool tub, and a spacious shower stall with an alcove lined in decorative white tile. The guest bath is equipped with a washer/dryer stack unit. The living room has a gas-log fireplace and a custom built-in window seat. A sliding back balcony door opens to a private breakfast nook, out on the veranda, with a magnificent view of the marina and wetlands.

At the fourth stop, the elevator opens to Bill and Sean’s quarters on the third story. Directly across from the elevator is their walk-in closet with cedar-lined walls. To the right are the arched entrances to the master bedroom suite and the master bath. The bedroom has a California king, a corner marble-faced gas-log fireplace, an entertainment center, a contemporary headboard, and a sliding back balcony door. The marble bath features mirrors that extend from the double vanity lavatories all the way to a deep-soaking “jacuzzi”. A clear glass block divider separates this spa tub from a spacious double-headed shower stall fitted with a massage sprayer, a clear glass door, and an alcove lined in decorative marble. Both shower and bath have picture windows that give a splendid view of the marina and wetlands. The water closet is in a corner unit at the opposite end, and is fitted with a hand-held bidet. Art deco lights also illuminate the lavatories and water closet.

As one enters the center of the third level, via the outdoor stairwell, a fountain with twin cherubim pouring water on the head of a lion greets him/her at the front door. This symbolizes God’s angels showering His blessings on these two Leo-born men. Throw in a coin or two to make a wish for oneself or to wish the pair good fortune.

Immediately to the left-hand side is the indoor staircase that leads one to the fourth level. With high-pitched ceilings, the stairs are directly under a skylight, enclosed by a translucent glass block wall, and surrounded by frosted and clear tempered windows. The steps have a carpeted runner and are bordered with marble.

At the opposite end of the third level are two other rooms. To the right is the open guest/family room with a custom-made inverted L-shape sofa bed. This room also serves as a home-office equipped with multi-outlets, two phone lines, a computer with e-mail and Internet access, a facsimile machine, an entertainment system, and a mini-library. The other room, with a queen, rosewood furniture, accent blinds, and a front balcony door accentuated with eight glass blocks, is Carley’s. The shared bath features a whirlpool tub and shower fitted with a massage sprayer, a marble lavatory, and a water closet fitted with a hand-held bidet. Adjacent to these rooms is the laundry area equipped with a washer/dryer stack unit.

At the fifth stop, the elevator opens to the center of the split-level entertainment space on the fourth story. A triple marble-faced wood-burning fireplace serves as a visual focus and provides auxiliary heat to the dining area on the left and to the step-down living room on the right. The living room has an oval-shape split coffee table, a custom-made L-shape designer sofa with a chaise and an armchair in the same accent color as the house. To the right-hand side is the kitchen equipped with stainless steel appliances, such as a convection oven, stove, microwave oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher. It also features granite counters and backsplash, wrought iron custom barstools, and two skylights that provide more light to the heart of this home. The kitchen cabinets and the home theater center in the living room are custom built-in with crown moldings, and are made of maple in a natural-finish. Out on the terrace, one can enjoy open-air dining and/or a smoke in a private patio that looks out on a stunning view of the marina, wetlands, boulevard, and airplanes queuing to land at LAX.

At the opposite end of the fourth level is a marble powder room and guest coat closet. The powder room features an art deco mirror, a rattan towel rack, and pewter fixtures on a pedestal lavatory, a water closet, and contemporary vanity lights. The dining room features a multi-colored, beveled, frosted, infinity window, and a beveled glass table top with six contemporary chairs and base. Across the indoor staircase and past the dining area is the entrance to the party deck, where Bill can get that Southern Californian tan. It is partly covered with a pergola for Sean, who does not enjoy worshipping the shimmering sun. It is illuminated by art deco dome lights, heated by a commercial heat lamp, equipped with a wet bar, and fitted with a doggy/catty door for their pets: Besi and Birdie (their yellow and chocolate Labrador Retriever dogs), Tuffy and Misty (their cats).

A spiral stairwell then leads one up to the gated entrance of the rooftop terrace that is flanked by an architectural eyebrow illuminated by accent lighting coming from a spotlight. The rooftop terrace is a belvedere for watching spectacular sunsets that paint the sky with a thousand brilliant hues, or for contemplating the moon’s reflection and gazing at a blanket of glistening stars. It is a vantage point for observing planes taking off in quick succession from LAX. At the northeast end, it serves as a sweeping lookout for panoramic views of the marina, city, snow-capped mountains, Playa del Rey hills, and the Ballona Wetlands. At the southwest end, it acts like a titanic bow for a commanding picturesque view of sailors maneuvering their boats around the breakwater, as they sail in and out of the main channel from the marina to the endless expanse of the great blue yonder of the Pacific Ocean. On a clear day, one can see all the way from Catalina Island to Rancho Palos Verdes to Malibu.

The house also features bedrooms equipped with remote controlled ceiling fans. All rooms are fitted with smoke detectors. All end rooms have French doors that open to private balconies. The decks and balconies are fitted with individual water outlets and hoses, and the floors are coated with baby-blue diata. A tempered glass fence encloses the back balconies. The decks are equipped with outside speakers. All levels have tinted, dual-glazed, double thermo-paned French picture and corner windows. Bathrooms and kitchens utilize copper plumbing and are fitted with brass and chrome fixtures. The heating system uses radiant heat emitted from hot water passing through several hard plastic pipes buried, in a two inch layer of lightweight cement for extra insulation and soundproofing, underneath the floors. The interior floors are made of travertine marble, except in the bedrooms and living area which are covered with a carpet in a soft shade of oatmeal creme with sprinkles of mocha, and the floors in Carmen’s unit which are hardwood. The walls and ceilings are bright, yet soothing with blending shades of cottage white paint and softened with isosceles angles, serpentine curves, base moldings, and bullnosed edges. The interior walls are done in smooth stucco, except in Carmen’s unit, the garage, and the entire exterior of the house, which are done in random swirls and splotches. The entire exterior and interior of the house are either dimly or brightly illuminated by ambient light emitted from 116 recessed canister lights. Three cylinder lights provide task lighting to the right side exterior wall and walkway of the house. For added security, motion-sensor lights illuminate the walkways. The front gate is hooked up with a security camera and an intercom system. All gates, banisters, and the spiral stairwell are made of wrought iron. The lit planters are fitted with an automatic sprinkler system. The house exudes a sense of informal luxury that embodies the exquisite style formed from a collaboration of the diverse tastes of Bill, Sean, Carmen and Michael.

The Nobel House is situated amid a fascinating coastal community blessed by benevolent weather, in a place of serenity warmed by the crimson sun and cooled by balmy sapphire ocean breezes. It is home to Bill, Sean, Carley, Koko, Besi, Birdie, Tuffy, Misty, Carmen and John. It is a haven, where one is rocked to sleep by the gentle rhythm of the whitewater surf breaking on the shore. It provides a refuge, where white sandy beaches, and swaying palm trees abound; where the soaring rough hewn mountains meet the unending crystalline seas between the shadows of the hills; where refined elegance and savage grace coexist in an incomparable setting of pristine beauty. It will serve them as an idyllic oasis of comfort and seclusion, a sanctuary with the ambiance of tranquillity, where the pressures of modern life recede from memory, where body and soul relax and revitalize, where love may be nourished, and where the spirit may be renewed.

Thank you for allowing us to share their home with you.
Please come again!