One man’s neglected 1960s hillside home was a treasure in the eyes of Anders Lasater, owner of Anders Lasater Architects, and Sandra Vila, owner of Sandra Vila Design House. Or perhaps it’s more apt to describe it as a luxury yacht anchored permanently on the cliffs of North Laguna Beach. Whatever metaphor you choose, this breathtaking oceanfront property defies expectations and exists as a testament to what can happen when creative limitations spark extraordinary design.
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“This house is special because it shouldn’t exist,” says Lasater. “By all rules, it ought not to be there anymore, but we were able to transform this little ’60s cracker box tract house into the beautiful estate it is today.”
The property’s unusual backstory began more than a decade ago when Lasater designed a remodel for the previous owners. That project was abandoned and the house sat mothballed for years until the current owner—a boating enthusiast with a Florida residence—purchased it in its unfinished state. What could have been a simple completion turned into a complete reimagining.
Lasater reflects that the project’s success stems from the creative tension between preservation and innovation. “When you have resistance, then you have the opportunity for direction,” he says. “It’s the resistance that allows you to change course.”
The result is a one-of-a-kind California coastal home that feels like a perpetual vacation—a modern sanctuary where ocean views stretch from Dana Point to Palos Verdes, and every design element celebrates the beauty of coastal living.
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One of the most dramatic interventions involved breaking through structural walls to maximize those views. In the kitchen, a solid wall that had separated it from the living area was opened up, requiring significant steel reinforcement but simultaneously creating sight lines that transformed the space. “When you’re in one area, you’re seeing multiple versions of the coast—it almost looks like artwork,” Vila says.
The three-story coastal home‘s staircase presented another creative challenge. The existing structure featured a plate of steel that folded like a zigzag—a sculptural element that didn’t match the owner’s vision. “We had to figure out how to skin this thing,” Lasater says. The solution Vila came up with involved wrapping the steel structure with floating white oak treads and incorporating glass railings, transforming an industrial element into a showstopping feature that complements the home’s nautical aesthetic.
“The owner wanted the home to feel like the inside of a luxury yacht,” Lasater explains. “When you’re on a boat, you’re able to go in any direction—the horizon never disappears. This home creates that same feeling of freedom and possibility.”
Materials Vila selected throughout the home reinforce this coastal connection while adding unique character. Leathered Florida wave quartzite in the kitchen mimics the movement of water with its creamy white and soft gray tones. The lower-level bar features stunning Ijen blue quartzite reminiscent of ocean waves, complemented by a trio of James Wolanin paintings that provide vibrant pops of color in the adjacent media room.
The powder rooms serve as jewel boxes throughout the home. The main level powder room features a fresh white palette with meticulously hand-chiseled Carrara marble tile, Thassos honed porcelain walls and Venezia marble terrazzo flooring. In the outdoor spa area, a third powder room becomes an unexpected oasis, completely enveloped in rare vein-cut grey onyx with an organic linear movement that echoes the local Laguna Beach cliffs.
“We used natural materials such as marble, quartzite, and handmade ceramic tiles—nothing that was too fussy, but materials that elevated the spaces,” Vila says.
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Custom elements of the home include semi-recessed sinks integrated into stone slabs and a white oak wine-racking system that makes bottles appear to float in mid-air. Art plays a crucial role, too, with a life-size glazed white sandpiper statue—inherited when the property was purchased—standing dramatically against the clad staircase wall.
The home’s multiple outdoor spaces—including a spa lounge, three patios and four decks—create different ways to experience the panoramic coastal views. A bar-height fire table and preserved moss art wall accent one deck, while the spa area includes a media lounge, jacuzzi and outdoor shower.
What makes this project particularly remarkable is the seamless collaboration between the architect, designer and builder. “There was synergy throughout the entire process,” Vila notes. “We achieved our client’s vision through finishes, furnishings and lighting, while Dilesh made the construction process appear effortless.”
Lasater reflects that the project’s success stems from the creative tension between preservation and innovation. “When you have resistance, then you have the opportunity for direction,” he says. “It’s the resistance that allows you to change course.”
The result is a one-of-a-kind California coastal home that feels like a perpetual vacation—a modern sanctuary where ocean views stretch from Dana Point to Palos Verdes, and every design element celebrates the beauty of coastal living.
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