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Kendrick Bangs Kellogg’s Beachside Kravis Residence Is for Sale in Southern California

The La Jolla home was built in the 1940s and later revamped by the famed architect with striking wood details and concrete forms.

This La Jolla home was built in the 1940s and later revamped by famed architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg with striking wood details and concrete forms.

Location: La Jolla, California

First Renovation Architect: Kendrick Bangs Kellogg

Second Renovation Architect: Yum Kee Fu

Price: Upon Request

Footprint: 2,172 Square Feet (3 Beds / 3 Baths)

Lot Size: 0.12 Acres

From the Agent: "Located on Neptune Place in La Jolla, the Kravis Residence is comprised of 2,172 square feet of living space set upon a 5,403-square foot parcel just across the street from Windansea Beach. The residence enjoys panoramic ocean and sunset views throughout its three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The primary suite, which could be a one-bed/one-bath apartment, is reached via an exterior stairway and enjoys its own rooftop deck. The nature-inspired details throughout the home were harmoniously crafted in 1998 following a two-year renovation by architect Yum Kee Fu and his wife, Susan, the parents of the current owner. The artistry of their design is beautifully showcased in the upstairs suite, where the artisan-crafted interior doors feature unique wood inlays inspired by Asian art."

Thomas C. Kravis, MD, tapped Kellogg to lead a significant renovation that lasted from 1976 to 1987. — Thomas C. Kravis, MD, tapped noted architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg to lead a significant renovation that lasted from 1976 to 1987.
Photo by Ollie Paterson

<span style="font-family: Theinhardt, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;">Thomas C. Kravis tapped noted architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg to lead a significant renovation between 1976 and 1987.</span> — Thomas C. Kravis tapped noted architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg to lead a significant renovation between 1976 and 1987.
Photo by Ollie Paterson

One of the most striking features is the stacked wood fascia that traces the home's roofline. — One of the home’s most striking features is the stacked wood fascia that traces its roofline.
Photo by Ollie Paterson

See the full story on Dwell.com: Kendrick Bangs Kellogg’s Beachside Kravis Residence Is for Sale in Southern California
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How "Frasier" Brought ’90s Minimalism to the Masses

The beloved sitcom’s set introduced audiences to a vision of wealth that was quietly sophisticated instead of gaudy—its showpiece Chihuly notwithstanding.

In 1996, when I turned 16, my uncle mailed me a copy of the script for the Frasier Season 4 opening episode with every cast member’s signature on it, including the dog’s (Moose, as you likely already know). This is because my uncle, Joe Keenan, was a writer (and later, also an executive producer) of the show and had snuck my name into the script under two different characters: Daphne’s friend Megan [sic!] who was having a birthday, and Daphne’s ex-fiancé Clive Roddy, who suddenly resurfaced. This episode, "The Two Mrs. Cranes," is one of the most highly lauded of the show’s entire 11-season run, earning special nods from Variety, IMDb, and IndieWire. I have been riding that Must See TV! high for three decades.

Frasier had an incredible run with an unprecedented 37 Emmy wins, a record broken only by Game of Thrones. If I may brag for a moment on Joe’s behalf: he has five Emmy awards, two Writers Guild of America awards, and a GLAAD Media Award, just for his work on Frasier, not including any of his other accolades, and this is all before he even turned 45. So basically very, very similar to my own career as I write this article at age 45.

At left, Joe humoring me in his office. At right, he has so many awards they barely fit in his awards bookshelf.
Photo courtesy Meaghan Roddy

Joe’s office is a treasure trove of artifacts, from photographs to set props, documenting this period in his career. These days, he is working on a new series of books, but in the absence of Frasier’s famed production designer, the late Roy Christopher, he took a break to let me ask him questions about the show’s set production, occasionally reminding me that he is not a set designer, but a writer.

Joe on set with Kelsey Grammer and Sir Patrick Stewart, a literal Knight.
Photo courtesy Meaghan Roddy

See the full story on Dwell.com: How "Frasier" Brought ’90s Minimalism to the Masses
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They Turned a 1930s Cinque Terre Villa Into a Sunny, Streamlined Surf Shack

Carpentry experts and architecture firm Llab wrapped every room of the beachfront property with built-ins to create storage, seating, and sleeping arrangements.

Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.

Project Details:

Location: Ligurian Riviera, Italy

Architect: Llabb / @llabb_architects

Builder: Edilizia Arjan Fejza

Footprint: 1,120 square feet

Photographer: Anna Positano | Studio Campo

From the Architect: "Located in Levanto, a seaside town on the Ligurian coast near Cinque Terre in Italy, Surf House is a compact renovation by Llabb that transforms a 1930s villa apartment into a permanent family home. Purchased by a U.S. family, the roughly 1,100-square-foot residence occupies the raised ground floor of the historic Blondet House, part of the urban frontage facing the beach and the sea.

"The existing structure, including load-bearing partitions and the original room layout, shaped Llabb’s approach: rather than radically altering the apartment, the studio recovered its spatial logic while improving its functionality. The new layout accommodates three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study, a generous kitchen, and a living area oriented toward the sea. The main intervention is a continuous custom millwork system in oak and deep blue, which runs through the apartment as both an organizing element and a piece of furniture.

"Developed by Llabb from its background in carpentry, the system integrates kitchen, storage, seating, bookshelves, beds, desks, and wardrobes into a single architectural device. Wood plays a central role throughout the home: in the shared spaces it defines essential volumes, while in the children’s rooms it takes on softer, curved forms inspired by nautical design and surf culture. Carefully positioned openings and visual connections enhance the sense of space while respecting the character of the original villa. Surf House reflects Llabb’s ability to translate craftsmanship into architecture, creating a highly functional and expressive home within a compact footprint and maintaining a strong connection with the surrounding maritime landscape."

See the full story on Dwell.com: They Turned a 1930s Cinque Terre Villa Into a Sunny, Streamlined Surf Shack
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How Layered Lighting Takes a Home From Flat to Dynamic

A simple guide to the three-layer approach to thoughtful illumination—and how to execute it in every room.

A single overhead light leaves rooms feeling flat and one-dimensional. The so-called "big light," as it is known among its most vocal critics, has become synonymous with sterile-feeling spaces. Somehow, this remains the default setup in most homes—despite the fact that a singular ceiling fixture does little to enhance architecture, create visual interest, or adapt to how we actually use our spaces. There’s more to life, after all, than sufficient brightness.

The solution to unwelcoming spaces like these is layered lighting: a design approach that treats illumination as a multi-dimensional tool, not a binary, on-off function. By combining three distinct layers—ambient, task, and accent—you create depth, flexibility, and visual sophistication. Each layer serves a specific purpose, and together they transform how a space feels and functions.

Layered lighting—ambient, task, and accent—creates depth and visual interest that a single overhead fixture cannot achieve. Govee's smart ecosystem makes implementing all three layers intuitive and adjustable. — Layered lighting—ambient, task, and accent—creates depth and visual interest that a single overhead fixture cannot achieve. Govee’s smart ecosystem makes implementing all three layers intuitive and adjustable.
Courtesy of Govee

A beginner’s guide to lighting layers

Ambient lighting provides general illumination. This is the foundational light layer (typically the ceiling fixture) that makes a room usable. Think of it as the baseline brightness that allows you to move through a space safely.

Task lighting, meanwhile, focuses light where you actually need it, whether that’s over a desk for work, above a kitchen counter for cooking, or beside a bed for reading. Task lighting eliminates shadows and allows activities to happen comfortably.

And then there’s accent lighting, which highlights architectural details, artwork, or specific focal points. This is where you add drama, depth, and personality. Accent lighting is the secret-weapon layer that transforms a functional room into a designed one.

Govee's smart lighting ecosystem lets you adjust everything with a single tap. — Govee’s smart lighting ecosystem lets you adjust everything with a single tap.
Courtesy of Govee

How to execute layered lighting, room by room

Since 2017, Govee has been transforming everyday spaces with its smart lighting solutions. Guided by its mantra, "Life is Colorful," Govee’s innovative lights are designed to transform everyday moments into personalized lighting experiences. Let’s look at how this three-layer lighting approach can come to life in various spaces using their intuitive technology:

Living room

The living room absorbs a wide range of activity over the course of a day—reading, working, hosting, watching television, doing nothing in particular—and most overhead lighting isn’t built to flex with all of it. Layering solves this by giving each function its own source.

The Govee 21-Inch Smart Ceiling Light Ultra sets a soft, adjustable base that becomes the room's ambient foundation. A Govee TV Backlight 3 extends color beyond the screen’s edges, softening the contrast between a bright display and a dark room and reducing eye strain during longer viewing. A Govee Lantern Floor Lamp, ideally placed near the seating area, offers a lower, warmer glow for reading.

Together, the three layers let the room shift registers—bright and functional, dim and cinematic, or somewhere in between—without anyone touching a dimmer switch mid-movie.

Bedroom

Bedrooms are asked to do two contradictory things: energize in the morning, and quiet down at night. A single overhead fixture usually fails at both.

Govee BR30 Smart Bulbs installed in existing fixtures cover the ambient layer, creating illumination that’s bright enough for daily use but adjustable enough to dial back at night. A Govee Lantern Floor Lamp placed in the corner acts as a warm, decorative accent piece, creating a cozy atmosphere for unwinding before bed. A Govee Table Lamp 2 on the nightstand provides focused task lighting for reading in bed (and is contained enough that it won't disturb a partner already asleep). Behind the headboard, a Govee Strip Light 2 Pro adds a subtle accent, tracing the wall’s architecture and giving the room definition even when the primary lights are off.

Shop the Look

Transform your space with LuminBlend+ technology. With 2100 lumens and a 170° wide beam, it is the perfect lighting solution. Thanks to its double-sided illumination and AI-powered smart controls, it can adapt to any lighting requirement with ease.

Elevate your everyday space with RGBICWW technology that blends vivid colors and tunable white light, all wrapped in a timeless desk lamp design—portable, smart, and ready for any moment.

Elevate your space with Govee Ceiling Light Ultra, combining ultra-dense pixel precision, limitless creative expression, and high-quality white light for everyday living.

Kitchen

Kitchens are functional by necessity, but that doesn’t mean they need to feel clinical. A single overhead light tends to cast shadows exactly where precision matters most (over the cutting board, or along the counter) while offering little to soften the room once the cooking is done and the gathering begins.

A Govee 15-Inch Smart Ceiling Light Pro can be the key to the room’s general brightness. A Govee COB Strip Light Pro, installed under the cabinets, delivers direct task lighting over the countertop, eliminating shadows. Above the island, Govee ST19 Smart Edison Bulbs in pendant fixtures can add a warmer, more atmospheric layer. A kitchen, after all, should be just as functional for prepping as it is lingering.

A mix of floor lamps, ceiling lights, and uplighting is the secret to warm, welcoming spaces.
Courtesy of Govee

See the full story on Dwell.com: How Layered Lighting Takes a Home From Flat to Dynamic
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Topped With a Thatched Roof, a Revamped Dutch Villa Seeks €2M

The 1978 home has a traditional brick facade and refreshed interiors with terra-cotta tile floors.

This 1978 home has a thatched roof, a traditional brick facade, and refreshed interiors with terra-cotta tile floors.

Location: van Beeverlaan 6-A1251 ES, Laren, the Netherlands

Price: €1,995,000 (approximately $2,298,379 USD)

Year: 1978

Renovation Year: 2008

Renovation Designer: Ineke Hilhorst

Renovation Architect: Paco Bunnik

Footprint: 2,820 Square Feet (5 Beds, 3 Baths)

Lot Size: 0.3 Acres

From the Listing: "This remarkable detached villa designed by interior decorator Ineke Hilhorst lies on quiet, dead-end lane that opens directly onto the moors in Laren, the Netherlands. Behind the antique French doors, a generous residence unfolds where light, space, and atmosphere come together in harmonious balance. During an extensive renovation carried out in collaboration with architect Paco Bunnik, the 1970s semi-bungalow received a contemporary update with large window walls, French doors wrapping around the home, and an atelier-style window at the front. The eat-in kitchen features antique schoolroom doors to the hall, which can be fully opened to garden views from all sides.The floor plan allows for single-story living. On the ground floor are the owners’ study rooms, both with views onto the lane. On the upper level is the primary bedroom with en-suite bathroom, equipped with a soaking tub, shower, vanity, and toilet. In all rooms, bespoke wardrobes are built in. Outside, multiple terraces, mature plantings, full privacy fencing, and an automatic irrigation system with its own well ensure comfort and privacy. The grounds also include a double garage with a large attic space."

See the full story on Dwell.com: Topped With a Thatched Roof, a Revamped Dutch Villa Seeks €2M
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Bestselling Cookbook Author Caroline Chambers Did Her Best to Speed-Reno Her Kitchen—With No Regrets

Beloved for her approachable recipes, the most popular cooking writer on Substack worked with friend and designer Lily Wick to make a space that would simplify work and family time in her California home.

The Carmel Valley, California-based Caroline Chambers—food content creator, newsletter writer, and bestselling author of What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking (2024)—had just finished renovating a house in early 2025 with her husband George when a pregnancy with a fourth child hurled them into a whirlwind plan B. They decided to find a bigger place (they closed on a 100-year-old farmhouse last May), renovate it all summer, welcome the baby in July, and move in by September.

That plan, with its aggressive timeline, didn’t come to fruition. Instead, the home chef, who’s best known for making fast and adaptable meals, had to somewhat take a step back and let the planning and building of her new kitchen take the appropriate time it required. In September 2025, the family temporarily moved into the new property’s two small cottages—each parent took a cottage with two kids. Although Chambers describes the experience as "complete chaos for two and a half months," she says it was kismet that their new farmhouse came with two liveable cottages with kitchens, which is uncommon for the area. Many of their family meals during that time were simplified and involved a lot of grilling. Chambers also slowed down her work pace with her pregnancy.

The family of six officially moved into the main farmhouse in late November. The house wasn’t fully renovated at that point (construction was ongoing through December), but the kitchen was complete, and Chambers could finally make use of the most important room for her line of work. Even though her self-imposed September deadline wasn’t met, Chambers still acknowledges that, all things considered, the kitchen wrapped in a flash.

The property includes two small cottages and overlooks the Santa Lucia Mountains.
Photo by Soraya Matos

"My best friend Lily Wick is my designer, and if it wasn’t my best friend working with me, we never could have renovated the kitchen that fast," says Chambers. She remembers "pleading with my contractor to at least have the kitchen finished by late October," so that photos could be included in her second cookbook, What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking: Make It Fast, a new recipe collection out August 11, comprising of 15- and 30-minute meals and one chapter devoted to meals you can fully walk-away from. The book was written with busy parents in mind, who need to "make a lot of food fast for hungry children," says Chambers.

Speed was also the name of the game when it came to the kitchen renovation. Since it was the first major project, Chambers and Wick made important design decisions that invariably set the tone for the rest of the house. Inspiration emerged from Nancy Meyers’ It’s Complicated, Chambers’ Southern upbringing, the color green, and an appreciation for antiques and handcrafted items. There were parts of the new kitchen design that felt like an intentional departure from her previous kitchen. "I went against how I think a great kitchen should be designed for creating content," Chambers says. "My old kitchen was perfect for content—the stove was on the island so I could set up a camera on the other side of the island and shoot across it and demo really well whatever I was cooking."

Now, her stove sits against a wall, which is more typical. Early on, Chambers considered an island stove for shooting purposes, but ultimately opted for a huge island instead, seeing the potential for it to become a central gathering area: someplace for the kids to not only eat at but sit on top of, that they could throw their backpacks onto, or where friends and guests could spread out for dinner parties and cocktails. "A stove in the middle of the island would interrupt all that, so I’ve adjusted to shooting the stove from the side and it’s working out just fine," she says. For how much of a time-crunch they were in, Chambers is thrilled with how her kitchen turned out, which blends old farmhouse charms with industrial modernity.

Install a secret bar

Behind a set of cabinet doors is a full bar, which is on full display for dinner parties. — Behind a set of cabinet doors is a full bar, which is on display for dinner parties.
Photo by Soraya Matos

The original kitchen had three small closets next to each other. They kept one closet to stash cleaning supplies, but knocked down the other two closets to rebuild them as a pantry-bar hybrid. The bar, which tucks away behind a set of doors, has its own ice maker and beverage fridge. "I don’t like when bars are on display, but when we have company, we can open this up and have a full bar moment, which has come in handy because we have people over a lot," says Chambers.

Lean into island life

See the full story on Dwell.com: Bestselling Cookbook Author Caroline Chambers Did Her Best to Speed-Reno Her Kitchen—With No Regrets
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Every Story in This $1.9M Lake Pontchartrain Home Comes Framed in Glass

Panoramic lake views meet waterfront wellness.

4809 Neyrey Drive in Metairie, Louisiana, is currently listed at $1,979,000 by Douglas Adams and David Smith at Crescent Sotheby’s International Realty.

There are very few addresses in the entire Metro New Orleans market where you can wake each morning to unobstructed, panoramic views of Lake Pontchartrain. Positioned directly on the water in Metairie’s most coveted lakefront corridor, this three-level contemporary estate offers interiors swathed in floor-to-ceiling glass, where every principal room frames a different chapter of the lake's ever-changing light.

A saltwater pool and heated spa anchor the outdoor living level, while a primary suite balcony and terraces extend the entertaining footprint from the water’s edge skyward across three stories of dramatic architecture. An in-residence heated sauna adds a layer of wellness amenity rarely found outside of true luxury compounds.

Inside, the interiors are appointed with designer-grade counters, stainless appliances, a wine cooler, gas fireplace, and the kind of generous natural light that only direct southern water exposure can deliver. Energy-efficient windows, water heater, and multi-zone climate control speak to the thoughtfulness of the home's systems.

The home sits just minutes from Lakeside Mall, New Orleans’ premier dining corridors, Louis Armstrong International Airport, and I-10 access, placing downtown New Orleans, the Northshore, Ochsner and Tulane medical centers, and the French Quarter all within a short drive. Perhaps most enticing is the offer for bond for deed financing for qualified buyers with negotiable down payment, competitive rate structure, and customized payment terms. Even the furniture is included.

Listing Details

Bedrooms: 4

Baths: 3 full, 1 partial

Year Built: 1986

Square feet: 4,431

Plot Size: 0.2 acres

Courtesy of Crescent Sotheby's International Realty

See the full story on Dwell.com: Every Story in This $1.9M Lake Pontchartrain Home Comes Framed in Glass
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