House tour: Inside Warren Buffet’s former holiday home, after a beautiful renovation by Studio Gutow

Previously owned by American investor Warren Buffet, this Californian house has been given a modern makeover by Studio Gutow to fit the needs of its new owners

The exclusive gated community of Emerald Bay in Laguna Beach, California, typifies the high-end waterfront living so coveted by movers and shakers in the Golden State, with many billionaires and corporate honchos drawn to the locale’s unspoilt oceanic views, ruggedly picturesque cliffsides, and private beaches. The homes themselves—pristine, neutral-hued structures that foster indoor-outdoor living—exemplify all that is desirable about shoreline dwellings and their therapeutic vibe.

Formerly owned by financial mogul Warren Buffett as a vacation home, this four-bedroom property was given a full makeover by Studio Gutow, an American interior design firm led by Rohani and principal designer Lisa Berman. The abode’s current owners are Studio Gutow director Melissa Rohani and her businessman husband Parsa Rohani; they live in the 4,898 sq ft abode with their four young children.

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Above A view of the hallway from the living area in the house

Studio Gutow worked with Pelican Developers, Dan Luna Woodworking and Molly Wood Garden Design to create a home that retained its roots, yet employs a rich, layered aesthetic to bring it into the 21st century. The goal was to update its 1930s structure and 1970s-style interiors with a medley of modern touches, vintage furnishings, and eclectic treatments. The result is a chic, three-level beach house with a laidback yet refined feel; a cosy abode tailor-made for an active family with young children.

“[It is obvious that] the previous family loved the home,” says Melissa Rohani of the Buffetts. The couple sought to maintain this happy energy, and preserve the original intent of the home. She adds: “It had an overwhelmingly positive vibe we could feel as soon as we walked through the door for the first time. Rather than absorbing the space, we sought to just complement it.”

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Above The living area is furnished with built-in elements and millwork by Dan Luna Woodworking, an antique rug from Marc Phillips, a sofa by MLK Studios, a Atelier Vime floor lamp and a 1950s sheepskin armchair purchased from 1st Dibs

The property originally comprised two separate structures, which Studio Gutow linked with a breezeway; this also facilitated a formal entryway and a defined interior courtyard in which the children can play. Here, walnut wood panelling, aged stone floors and brass fixtures, vintage rugs and sculptural plants form an inviting vignette. “The breezeway and entry are perfect introductions to the [overall] aesthetic, and the feeling of comfort the whole home invokes,” says Berman.

Photo 1 of 5 The fireplace in the living area was relocated to an opposing wall create a more streamlined fit within the modern design scheme

Photo 2 of 5 The formal entryway was added to create an inviting introduction to the home

Photo 3 of 5 The Bruno Mathsson-designed lounge chair is among the vintage finds in the home

Photo 4 of 5 The home looks out to soothing views of the sea

Photo 5 of 5 The kitchen features vintage Arthur Umanoff bar stools, a rug from Lawrence of La Brea, stoves from La Canche, fixtures from Waterworks and ceramic pieces by Makoto Kagoshima

The cocooning living room is a perfect microcosm of the designers’ ability to mix disparate pieces for a handsome yet functional space. Original architectural elements such as the tongue-and-groove ceiling were retained for historical flavour.

This space also features an assortment of furnishings that beckon with their plush forms: a boucle chaise longue from Studio Balestra in a fetching dark-green hue, an equally tactile vintage sheepskin armchair in an off-white shade, a cushy sofa from MLK Studio upholstered in a textural fabric, and an antique rug from Marc Phillips. Lending visual intricacy is 18th-century French embroidered pillows, a Guillerme et Chambron oak buffet and a vintage Bruno Mathsson lounge chair which enchants with its sinuous form. Underfoot, raw-plank flooring imparts a rough, organic charm.

Above In the dining room, pendant lamps from Hector Finch hang over a custom table and textural chairs from Formations for a casual vibe

Above The family loves the old-world styling of the La Canche stoves, which add to the vintage look of the culinary space

The kitchen houses an impressive peninsula made with dramatically veined Calacatta Paonazzo marble, vintage Arthur Umanoff bar stools, and a gorgeous handcrafted La Canche range. “The range was the very first piece that was purchased for the home,” shares Berman, explaining that the family fell in love with its old-world styling. Ceramic pieces by Japanese ceramic artist Makoto Kagoshima are displayed on the wall as mini artworks, lending pops of colour.

Above A De Gournay wallpaper depicting fishes adds a lively touch to the powder room

Above The boy’s bedroom features a pair of nightstands from Chelsea textiles and framed illustrations of beetles

The home’s private spaces also feature elements that delight. In the powder room, teal-hued wallpaper from De Gournay sports a fish motif, alluding to the home’s oceanside setting. Patterned wallpaper in a pale pink shade from Wayne Pate brings a sense of playfulness to the girl’s bedroom, which itself is a study in blush and grey hues. The boy’s room is grounded by a colourful hand-loomed rug that also affords practicality as durable footing for this high-footfall area.

Above The custom burled wood nightstands and and upholstered panel displayed above the bed add a tactile touch to the room

Panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean can be enjoyed from the tranquil primary suite, which was fashioned from two separate bedrooms and now encompasses the entire top floor of the home, complete with spacious patio.

Soothing cream, blue and green tones encourage relaxation and invite the outdoors in, while a wet bar and comfy swivel chairs encourage social interaction. Above the bed is an upholstered panel, set on a pair of mid-century doors. In the master bathroom, the liberal use of brecciated Vagli marble lends luxury to the shower stall.

Photo 1 of 4 Wallpaper from Wayne Pate, nightstands from Nickey Kehoe, fun accent cushions and a well-crafted bed from The Beautiful Bed Company contribute to a comforting feel of the girl’s bedroom

Photo 2 of 4 The guest room is as thoughtfully designed as the rest of the home, featuring millwork from Dan Luna Woodworking

Photo 3 of 4 The organic and textural flooring brings a sense of warmth to the room

Photo 4 of 4 Custom mirrors reflect the angular forms of other design elements in the bathroom

Completed in October 2021, the three-year restoration exercise has culminated in an attractive, comfortable abode that flaunts its diverse influences proudly. “It’s exactly what we had envisioned,” smiles Melissa.

Above The family room is as cosy as the rest of the abode, featuring walnut built-in cabinetry and beams by Dan Luna Woodworking, a sofa from Verellen, a woven rug, custom tables, and potted plants from The Tropics

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Credits

Photography

Michael Clifford

Topics

Renovation Home design Decor

Tatler Asia

House tour: Warren Buffet’s former vacation home gets a beautiful modern renovation