On the waterfront of Ocean Boulevard now rests a one-of-a-kind home, where tranquil interiors give way to wide-open sightlines and golden sunsets glisten at every turn.
When the ideal property became available, three seasoned teams set out to create something unparalleled. Lisa McDennon Design, Geoff Sumich Design and Nicholson Companies had worked together previously, so connecting on the Point of Inspiration project was seamless. Collaborating with a suite of top-notch firms and brands, they crafted a residence of warmth, presence and quiet confidence.
The gracious sitting area in the primary suite opens to an expansive view of the Pacific Ocean.
Project Partners
Interior Design: Lisa McDennon Design | Custom Finishes: Accent Walls & Finishes | Luxury Bedding: Amity Home | Linens: Frette | Architecture: Geoff Sumich Design | Lighting: Hinkley | Home Building: Nicholson Companies | Custom Finishes: CS Drywall Inc | Home Automation: Custom Connections Inc | Home Security: DHS Security Systems, Inc. | Decorative Plumbing: House of Rohl | Stone + Tile: Roman Marble Inc. | Art + Framing: SCAPE Gallery
Lisa McDennon Design
Thoughtfully appointed with luxurious finishes, distinctive materials and layered textures that add depth and character, the Point of Inspiration residence fully demonstrates the masterful blend of artistry and function that Lisa McDennon brings to every project. With 20-plus years of experience and plenty of award wins under her belt, the designer and her team at Lisa McDennon Design employ a highly strategic and collaborative process—something that came to mind when Nicholson Companies and Geoff Sumich Design sought them out. McDennon is also known for her deep love of materials, and that shines in this home. “Stone, mirror, metal and plaster were not simply selected for contrast, but curated for dialogue,” McDennon enthuses. “Each surfaces was chosen for the way it reflects, absorbs or refracts light and texture. The juxtaposition of weight and lightness, reflection and solidity, gives the space a sculptural quality while still feeling livable.”
Contact: 949.497.6806 | lisamcdennon.com | @lisamcdennon
Designed for both everyday living and effortless entertaining, the sculptural, open-air kitchen has dual islands, a floating bar and a concealed scullery and pantry.
Accent Walls & Finishes
With such a passion for materials and textures at play, the project was sure to need a true master of craft when it came time to complete finishes. Enter, Accent Walls & Finishes. Brought into the project by Rica Navas at Nicholson Companies, CEO Drew Gwaltney and his team at Accent Walls & Finishes, the firm brought a highly specialized technique for the home’s plaster needs. “We worked on several spaces in the home, including the entrance reeded plaster, kitchen surround, entry fireplace, stairwell, whiskey room, downstairs bar and hallway, primary bathroom and upstairs living room,” Gwaltney says. “One of the best things about this project was the invitation to push boundaries with a bold team. We were able to try some new applications that we haven’t done before, and it was great to work with Lisa McDennon, who was confident in her vision and unafraid to do something different.”
Contact: 714.299.5115 | accentwallsandfinishes.com | @accentwallsandfinishes
The home’s entryway is crafted with a custom fluted plaster, which complements the matte Venetian fireplace and oil painting by Jeff Peters, curated by SCAPE Gallery, just beyond.
Amity Home
Upon being introduced to the Point of Inspiration project, Gayle Mann, Co-Founder of Amity Home, immediately knew it was something special. “Every space felt intentional, layered and beautifully considered,” she says. She and her team were brought into the fold to complete the bedrooms with sumptuous, luxurious bedding. “Bedding plays a unique role in a room, as it’s where visual design meets everyday experience,” Mann says. “Our goal was to add warmth and texture without overpowering the design.” Of course, each bedroom has a unique personality of its own, so the selections were made to both honor each space’s individuality and feel cohesive within the larger context of the home. “Lisa and her team provided clarity, direction and trust,” Mann shares. “Their vision for each room guided every decision we made.” Teamwork indeed makes the dream work.
Contact: 626.334.6771 | amityhome.com | @amityhome
The Clyde Euro Sham, Ranier Saddle King Shams, Claudia Wheat Quilt and Amory Natural Coverlet combine for a textural dream. The photograph is by Taylor O’Sullivan, curated by SCAPE.
Frette
For generations Frette linens have graced the world’s most storied settings, from the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica to the dining cars of the Orient Express. As such, it is a testament to the triumph of the Point of Inspiration design that the team at Frette South Coast Plaza reached out to Lisa McDennon herself upon hearing about “a remarkable new coastal project that was a natural fit for our brand’s heritage.” Concentrating on how the technical and tactile nuances of their linens could add depth and comfort without disrupting design intent, the Frette team provided sheets, blankets, cushions, towels, robes and other accents. It all contributes to what they call the most distinctive feature of the home: “the balance between its grand scale and intimate feel.” Produced by master artisans in Italy, Frette’s linens bring a quiet sophistication, comfort and finishing touch to each room.
Contact: 714.556.7080 | frette.com | @frette
The primary bedroom features Frette’s Ultimate bedding set over Cortina fillers, with a Double Cashmere blanket, Pure Cashmere throw blanket and Luxury Passepartout throw pillow. A mixed-media work by artist Julie Easton, courtesy of SCAPE Gallery, completes the room.
Geoff Sumich Design
The exterior of the Point of Inspiration residence possesses a captivating balance of modernity and timelessness, and this is thanks to Geoff Sumich and his team at Geoff Sumich Design. “Having spent the early phase of my practice designing period themed homes like Spanish Revival, Northern Italian and French Country, my approach to design is based on the concept of ‘romantic modernism,’ where I reference and incorporate elements of the past while celebrating the simplicity of the present,” Sumich says. “This project is the sixth I’ve done with developer Tom Nicholson, and we enjoyed many productive design sessions. Seated across from each other at the table, pen and sketch paper in hand, we hash out plans.” Conceived as a simple, bold parallelogram floating in the air, the home’s architecture embodies one of Sumich’s favorite quotes from Constantin Brâncuși: “Simplicity is complexity resolved.”
Contact: 949.496.8991 | geoffsumichdesign.com | @geoffsumichdesign
Effortlessly connecting to the home’s interior and complete with a pool and spa, this courtyard space is open yet cozy and intimate.
Hinkley
Capable of shifting the mood of a space, lighting is a core part of any home’s design, highlighting its architecture and interiors while serving as a functional boon for the homeowner. In this breathtaking dining room and living space, interior designer Lisa McDennon’s creative partnership with Hinkley revealed itself as a natural complement. “The Lisa McDennon Collection offers an eclectic array of distinct fashion-forward fixtures with an organic aesthetic that seamlessly bridges traditional and modern West Coast styles,” says Aaron Polak, Hinkley’s Director of Brand & Marketing. This juxtaposition made it a perfect fit for the project, which was envisioned as a contemporary-meets-timeless masterpiece from the beginning. With a legacy of crafting luxury indoor and outdoor lighting since 1922, Hinkley brought a perfect blend of variety and expertise to illuminate this spectacular home.
Contact: 800.446.5539 | hinkley.com | @hinkleylighting
Two Hinkley Trigo Large Multi Light Linear Chandeliers are airy but still ground this space while complementing the sculptural Fiber artwork by Mary Little, curated by SCAPE Gallery.
Nicholson Companies
For the past 40 years, Nicholson Companies has been redefining luxury in one of the country’s most illustrious markets: Southern California. As such, the firm specializes in spotting a site that offers the best of coastal living for years to come. Enter, the Point of Inspiration. “When we approached this Ocean Boulevard property, we understood immediately that it demanded restraint, confidence and architectural conviction,” says Owner Tom Nicholson. “Properties with this kind of frontage—approximately 64 feet of unobstructed ocean exposure directly across from Inspiration Point—are extraordinarily rare.” They set out not only to develop a home, but to create an estate worthy of its setting and legacy. To that end, Tom and team pulled together a world-class roster of firms and brands to make it happen. “The collaboration was a carefully orchestrated dance built on trust, discipline and a shared respect for the vision.”
Contact: 949.756.8393 | nicholsoncompanies.com | @nicholson.companies
Leathered Cinque Terre marble wraps the lower-level bar, where a glass reveal offers a dramatic glimpse of the ombre-tiled pool above.
CS Drywall Inc
While many materials and structural tasks go into the building of such a home as this, the drywall and finishing work is arguably one of the most foundational elements. Happily for the Point of Inspiration project, Nicholson Companies had a 25-plus-year relationship with CS Drywall Inc, a renowned locally based and family-owned firm that executed the home’s drywall installation, Level 05 finishes and specialty finish work with expertise. “To meet the high-end design standards of this home, we used premium drywall and employed detailed craftsmanship in finishing to ensure seamless transitions and clean architectural lines,” says Tina Troutman, CS’ President. “From precise board layout to reduce joints and potential shadow lines to proper fastening schedules and reinforced corner and transition detailing, we utilized every technique in our playbook to produce a stunning result.”
Contact: 909.593.5299 | csdrywallconstruction.com
The carefully executed installation of the drywall made the application of wall textures, paint and wallpaper seamless and smooth.
Custom Connections Inc
Everyone anticipates the construction and aesthetic considerations that go into a home like the Point of Inspiration, but there is another behind-the-scenes factor that makes or breaks function in the 21st century: automation. Brought into the project by DHS Security Systems, Inc. after Tom Nicholson requested Josh.ai integration, Custom Connections Inc is a specialist in that uniquely impactful control ecosystem. “We designed and coordinated the Josh.ai system so that it worked seamlessly with the home’s other technologies, including a Lutron lighting and shading system, pool and spa control and a Control4 platform,” says Owner Jason Bernhardt. It also connects to the security system, bringing all of the residence’s high-tech solutions into one interface—complete with voice control—for the homeowners. “New technology allows us to make homes more intuitive, personalized and visually clean than ever before.”
Contact: 949.813.4844 | customconnectionsinc.com
The Josh.ai ecosystem makes this moody space possible at the touch of a button or with a single voice command. The photograph is by Jacques Garnier, courtesy of SCAPE Gallery.
DHS Security Systems, Inc.
From home security to whole-home audio integration, the technological facets underneath the aesthetic facade of a home are important to both daily function and long-term stability. DHS Security Systems, Inc. brought all this and more to the Point of Inspiration. “We’ve had a strong working relationship with Tom Nicholson for two-plus decades, and this project is a testament to that partnership,” says Dave Holland, CEO. “Our philosophy is that technology should enhance a space without disrupting its aesthetic.” With in-wall and invisible speakers integrated discreetly into interior spaces and the Garden Series delivering immersive sound outdoors, the entire property is a masterpiece of tech integration. DHS delivered not only audiovisual systems but also a complete security solution and advanced video surveillance. Working alongside trusted subcontractors, DHS successfully created a fully integrated smart home experience.
Contact: 714.549.1090 | dhssecurityinc.com
In-wall and invisible speakers from Sonos make the entertainment spaces visually fluid and highly functional. A mixed-media painting by Sue Dirksen features, courtesy of SCAPE.
House of Rohl
There are countless moments of awe as one walks through the Point of Inspiration. Still, the primary bathroom boasts one of the best: a stunning freestanding tub with the ocean shimmering just behind it. For such an effervescent vignette, Lisa McDennon knew that a special product selection was called for. Enter, House of Rohl. “Our Victoria + Albert Barcelona tub is a work of art,” says Director of Industrial Design Eveline Simard. “It is hand-polished in South Africa, formed with natural curves that give way to a rimless, deep double-ended oval.” Made from naturally bright white Volcanic Limestone™, it is non-porous and resistant to UV and stains. Altogether, the Barcelona hit every note perfectly: beautiful, timeless, simple in form, functional and crafted to last. Speaking of the latter, House of Rohl’s 25-year limited lifetime warranty gave McDennon additional confidence in this statement-making product choice.
Contact: 800.777.9762 | houseofrohl.com | @houseofrohl
House of Rohl presents the Victoria + Albert Barcelona 67-inch freestanding tub. Made of Volcanic Limestone™ and complete with a center drain, it is a beautiful complement to the primary oasis.
Roman Marble Inc.
No home at the pinnacle of luxury is complete without the inclusion of beautiful natural stone. As a firm with which both Nicholson Companies and Lisa McDennon had previously worked, Roman Marble Inc. was the perfect choice for this aspect of the project. “Natural stone isn’t something you choose at the last minute,” says Owner Maz Sedighi. “Availability, scale and movement all require time and attention, so we were happy to work with Lisa’s team early on to make selections.” From patio tile to marble vanities to artwork-worthy fireplace surround installs, every stone feature on the Point of Inspiration property adds timeless sophistication and a sense of alignment with the incredible natural views beyond each window. Speaking to the success of this project, Sedighi says, “Natural stone is never just a surface. It’s a design decision that impacts architecture, engineering, installation and long-term performance.”
Contact: 714.999.5475 | romanmarbleinc.com | @romanmarble
The “his” side of the primary bath features a floating Bronze Fantasy marble bench paired with Jurassic Dark Onyx for the base of the sink vanity.
SCAPE Gallery
Southern California Art Projects & Exhibitions
Art has the power to move, inspire and provoke thought. It also plays a defining role in establishing the tone of a well-designed space. As such, Lisa McDennon turned to Jeannie Denholm and her team at Southern California Art Projects and Exhibitions (SCAPE) Gallery to curate the home’s art collection. “We share a deep respect for one another’s expertise, and that trust creates a thoughtful synergy between art and design,” Denholm says of working with McDennon. “Early collaboration allowed us to plan for focal walls, lighting, scale and sightlines in tandem with furniture layouts.” The result is a collection of artworks that feels inherently connected to the broader creative vision. “The home features a total of 60 works by 28 different artists, creating a richly layered and diverse collection,” Denholm shares. “Each piece was carefully curated through artist studio visits, making the sourcing process personal and immersive.”
Contact: 949.723.3406 | scapesite.com | @scapegallery
A painting by Tom Lieber was selected for its dynamic scale and commanding, painterly presence—an ideal complement to the home’s grand entry room.