Mar Vista Residence by Studio Meghan Eisenberg

Originally designed and built in the 1950s as a secluded retreat for Donald Park and his family, the mid-century gem is nestled amid lush gardens. Studio Meghan Eisenberg brings a contemporary perspective to Mar Vista Residence, prioritising warmth, openness and tactile elements throughout its interior and exterior spaces.

Located within its namesake, Mar Vista Residence retains key traces of an important and innovative time in architectural history. With cantilevered elements, sloping roofs and an airy ambience, the dwelling pays homage to a period marked by playful innovation and the impact of industrial techniques on home design. For Meghan Eisenberg, whose familial ties link her directly to Donald Park, the rejuvenation journey held personal significance. “While I appreciate mid-century very much,” says Eisenberg, “I am not a mid-century purist. So in order to make it [the residence] feel like our own, I needed to invent a new language for the house that both respected the architecture but mixed in my personal style and unique approach, which was challenging.”

Studio Meghan Eisenberg brings a contemporary perspective to Mar Vista Residence, prioritising warmth, openness and tactile elements throughout its interior and exterior spaces.

Blending her unique perspective on heritage with her personal mark, Eisenberg says, “I wanted the space to feel warm, timeless and casual.” In shaping the home to be uniquely hers, she adds, “I chose colours that were unexpected in the environment, and I tried to think outside the box when it came to furnishing periods and finish choices.” Establishing a balance between contemporary functionality and heritage details formed the cornerstone of the design approach.

Integrating traditional elements with a rich narrative, maintaining a strong connection to the surrounding landscape was paramount. The outcome is a home that exudes timelessness, vibrancy and a bespoke quality tailored to its occupants, reflecting their unique expression and personality at every turn. “While it isn’t typical to see unlacquered brass, crazy marbles, cream walls, plain sawn floors or floral drapery in a space like ours,” says Eisenberg, “what it did do was weave in a warmth and a sense of tradition that becomes unexpected instead of leaning toward a nostalgically driven path.”

Establishing a balance between contemporary functionality and heritage details formed the cornerstone of the design approach.

Mar Vista Residence embarks on its next chapter with meticulously laid foundations for an unwritten future. The studio honours Eisenberg’s cherished memories of the residence, skilfully crafting an atmosphere that fosters an emotional connection to the place and its history.

Interior design by Studio Meghan Eisenberg. Build by Rebelwoods Construction.