Creating an Indoor-Outdoor Kitchen with a Unique Take on the Scandi & California Styles

After renovating a showstopping ‘historic modern’ craftsman home in the heart of Venice, California, the teams at Abramson Architects, Joan Behnke & Associates and M.E. Development have reunited for a neighboring project in the famous Venice Walk Streets. Coining the term “Scandifornian Modern,” the firms designed the home to be a hybrid of multiple styles – pulling in Scandinavian simplicity, Californian casual, and sleek modernity.  

The home is not only identified by its Scandinavian minimalism and relaxed Californian vibe, but also by its nod to Japanese design through color mixing, natural materials and contemporary silhouettes. In addition to its charming style, the home’s proximity to the beach and open layout – with a stunning kitchen at its center – creates an enviable environment ideal for a convivial coastal lifestyle. Interior designer Joan Behnke called it “an entertainment home, with the ability to open all the doors and enjoy the pool as well as all the various outdoor spaces from the front yard to the roof terrace.” 

The group’s first renovation, a 1907 craftsman bungalow, was required by local ordinances to keep the historic architecture intact. This time around, the team “had more flexibility in terms of design, which allowed for greater creativity.” Because the Scandifornian Modern was a new build with fewer restraints, the design team “kept the aesthetic cleaner and more modern so that it could appeal to a broader, current audience,” Joan said.  

That clean and modern aesthetic is best exemplified in the luxe kitchen, where dark, rich cabinetry meets bright countertops, geometric brass lighting and gourmet appliances. Complete with a Waterstone Modern PLP faucet suite, Contemporary Potfiller and Contemporary Cabinet Hardware, the kitchen was designed with timelessness and pro-level functionality in mind.  

“The Waterstone fixtures are sleek and aesthetically mix very well with the style of the house.  We loved the contemporary look without the harsh corners or lines, [which] will not look dated over the years,” Joan said. “The kitchen is also very functional, whether it’s for a family’s daily use or for a chef to create a special evening, the means and methods of operations is very hands-on.” 

Beyond its state-of-the-art fixtures, the kitchen also flows into the dining and living spaces, with views of both the front garden and private deck. The kitchen’s sliding doors open out to a private pool and jacuzzi, which are nestled on the side of the house. The wood deck, lounge furniture and television make the space feel like a cozy room that happens to be outdoors. There’s even a sliding pass-through window that gives quick access to the kitchen sink and faucet suite, so guests can easily grab a glass of filtered water from the Waterstone filtration faucet or pass along food and drinks from inside.  

Learn more about the Modern Venice Homes here: Modern Venice Homes