Search
Close this search box.
Search
Guard House, los angeles

Cali-Styled GARDE House

Set in Summerland, Santa Barbara, GARDE House occupies the second level of the retail outlet GARDE shop, where visiting Angelenos can shop till they drop, then recover with a short-term stay at the fully furnished one-bedroom right above it.

By

Share

GARDE House a Place to Pick Up the Sofa as a Souvenir on the Way Out?

A distillation of the L.A.-born brand, the quintessentially Cali-styled GARDE House exhibits effortlessly elevated design. Attuned to proportion, the “apartment” (perhaps if compared to a McMansion but at 1,100 square feet, a good-sized bungalow) is exquisitely appointed with contemporary design pieces so that one can see how to curate the aesthetic.

Even better, experience how it might feel to live with the environment for a day or two.

(Spoiler: It feels great.)

“We wanted to have an extension of the shop/showroom space where we could show our collections in the context of a home,” says John Davidson, co-owner of GARDE with Scotti Sitz.

“Of course, the bonus is that guests can purchase everything in the apartment for their own home, as well.”

Shop the space and it’s likely to be a spree, because GARDE has all the goods, from furnishings and accents to textiles and gifts.

Both retail and residential spaces are housed in a 1921 barn-style building that is a bit of a showpiece, and key to the overall sensibility of the project. The apartment alone offers a one-bedroom with a living room, dining area, kitchen, bathroom, and outside deck. Look past the contemporary lines and find herringbone white oak flooring meant to evoke an early 20th century European aesthetic, blending eras and styles, not to mention realms.

“We are certainly not the first to combine residential and retail,” says Davidson, “but we believe that our mix of furniture, lighting and accessories is an outstanding presentation of the GARDE brand,” which draws inspiration for its apartment and stores from a wellspring of sources.

Of these references, Davidson cites Belgian architects such as Vincent Van Duysen and Nicolas Schuybroek as top of mind.

“I am also constantly inspired by Joseph Dirand and Ilse Crawford, who are masters at giving older spaces a modern feel while remaining true to the architectural integrity of the original space,” he says.

“Everything I select for GARDE is something that I would want in my own home.”

Which is what makes the apartment cherry-picked perfection.

The location of Summerland was selected similarly. “We used to visit Summerland and were regular customers at the antique store that was housed in our building for 47 years,” says Davidson. Though not looking to expand their brand, when the opportunity presented itself, he and Sitz decided, in the parlance of the design maverick, to “go for it.” The serendipity likely stops here, though, with the Summerland concept the last of the duo’s planned expansions.

“Two shops is enough for us” says Davidson, who is focused on refining the brand and bringing new designs to the United States. But customers? Well, we can’t get enough.

GARDE Shop

7410 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 424-4667  |  gardeshop.com  | engarde@gardeshop.com

PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY OF SAM FROST

RELATED TAGS

Modern Marvel: Explore the Exquisite Design of 1156 Sixth Street

1156 Sixth Street in East Manhattan Beach boasts 8 bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms across 8,100 square feet of meticulously crafted space. This residence offers unparalleled spaciousness and elegance designed by award-winning architect Anthony Laney, and seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living, creating an expansive entertaining space perfect for gatherings.
  • March 20, 2024
  • Constance Dunn

Discover the Legacy of 2700 Highland Ave in Manhattan Beach

2700 Highland Avevenue, a heritage Manhattan Beach property owned by an icon of California's Golden Age, offers an impressive multi-resident compound in the Sand Section—along with uplifting ocean views, a pool and plenty of fresh-air spaces.
  • February 21, 2024
  • Constance Dunn

The Witkoff Group Unveils The Park Santa Monica: A Seven-Story Oasis of Luxury

Beyond a mere residence, The Park Santa Monica is a dynamic seven-story building, designed by Koning Eizenberg Architecture for The Witkoff Group, redefines luxury living by seamlessly blending beauty, wellness, and community. With 249 thoughtfully crafted apartments featuring top-tier amenities, from white oak flooring to solar panels, The Park Santa Monica sets itself apart.
  • January 10, 2024
  • Abigail Stone

Timeless Fusion: The Cotswolds Home by Architect Richard Found

Architect Richard Found's contextual country home in the Cotswolds encapsulates the essence of minimalist design within an 18th-century edifice. Located in the picturesque Cotswolds, this project by Found Associates breathes new life into a derelict gamekeeper's cottage, blending modernist architecture with the vernacular stone construction of the region.
  • January 10, 2024
  • Jenn Thornton

Weave House by The BAD Studio: An Ode to Indian Ikat Patterns

Weave House by The BAD Studio seamlessly blends contemporary design with traditional Indian craftsmanship, creating a harmonious living space inspired by the region's rich textile heritage, the house features an embossed brick and diamond façade reminiscent of Indian ikat patterns. The architecture coexists with the surrounding landscape, offering an organic lifestyle and smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • November 1, 2023
  • Jenn Thornton
Sign Up for DIGS Newsletters