California Dreamin’
Tile is always personal, like the kitchen backsplash, sourced from Spain, but not as personal as the custom-painted tile above the range. From the Spanish city of Toledo comes this scene signed “La Famila Robin.” Countertops are granite.
When the home was first finished, it featured this green wool carpet in the master bedroom. Recently, the original flooring crafters from International Flooring Corporation and Carpet USA were called back to take up the carpet, revealing the original, unfinished Brazilian Cherry and ebony floor beneath. The floor was refinished using a new dustless refinishing system from Mohawk Industries and four topcoats.
The bath features imported limestone floors and a classic Mediterranean design in tile.
Alan and Dee Robin were so influenced by Spanish styling that the family purchased a home in Encino, California in 1997, tore it down, then carefully planned and rebuilt it over two-and-a-half years.
The result is a stunning, 5,500-square-foot specimen that exudes the real thing, right down to the tile purchased in Spain.
The half-wall tile in the entryway at left is offset by a natural, imported limestone floor. The “piano space” above, off the family room, truly sets the Spanish tone for this home with a Brazilian Cherry hardwood floor set in a herringbone design and bordered with an ebony inlay. The Brazilian Cherry stairs are covered in a soft green wool carpet.
Bringing part of Spain home to America The home features thick walls and authentic Spanish-style materials plus exposed wood beams and arched doorways. Robin says many of the themes were carried throughout the house, including the striking hardwood floors and alder wood cabinets in cherry stain featured in the kitchen, office and study. The Brazilian Cherry and ebony floors introduced on the first floor carry throughout the house.
The family worked closely with architects Richard Raemer and John Alf, builder Robert Pagan and flooring specialist Gordon Molko, owner of International Flooring Corporation and Carpet USA of nearby Venice. 