For Palos Verdes Estates couple Pete and Maya, it was pure luck and impeccable timing that led to a spacious vacant lot equipped with preapproved floor plans ideal for a multigenerational family. In 2019, after the loss of Maya’s father to cancer, the family—including their two daughters and Maya’s mother—began navigating the path forward.
Pete, a retired Santa Barbara firefighter who volunteered as base camp operations manager for 11 days during the Palisades Fire, met Maya in high school in Palos Verdes, where both were raised. Maya’s only sibling resides in Switzerland, so the family started exploring the prospect of a shared household on the Peninsula that would include her mother.
“My father-in-law and I were extremely close, and we had a lot of candid conversations,” recalls Pete of the Swiss-born engineer and Army veteran. “He was one of the best men I have ever known. Many of his wishes were to take care of my mother-in-law, whom he referred to as ‘my angel.’ Living all together was one of the ideas—and ultimately the one that my mother-in-law wanted the most. She wanted to be with her daughter and granddaughters.”
After an exhaustive and underwhelming search, they were drawn to a lot they’d spotted earlier with an ocean view in Lunada Bay.
“Real estate is kind of a hobby,” shares Pete, co-owner and partner of an employee benefits consulting and brokerage firm. “I dug it up on Zillow, and it was for sale again. I thought, ‘This is a sign. If we can’t find what we want, it’s better for us to build exactly what we need.’ Fortunately for us, it came with pre-existing plans for a three-story home.”
Originally designed by Miles Pritzkat and Keith Johnson of Pritzkat & Johnson Architects in Redondo Beach, the floor plans met nearly all of their requirements, apart from a few tweaks and modifications to the 5,884-square-foot residence.
“Everyone is at different stages of their lives. Not only does everybody have space for themselves, but the communal areas are super inviting.”
On the lower level, they created a spacious gym for Maya, who works as a personal trainer, as well as a small craft area for gift-wrapping and sewing projects. The primary suite, originally planned for the top floor, was moved to the main floor to allow for a designated one-bedroom mother-in-law suite—affectionately called the “penthouse”—complete with its own kitchenette, office, living area and laundry. The daughters’ bedrooms were positioned on the opposite side, and the elevator was relocated for improved access to the upper level.
“There aren’t a lot of empty lots in Palos Verdes, so just being able to start fresh on something was unique, and it’s fun to see this built,” explains Keith. “The concept was there, so we didn’t have to do huge changes with the city. The original design leaned more contemporary, but they envisioned clean, fresh lines. So we blended classic elements like board-and-batten siding and a metal roof with modern, flat cementitious tiles.”
To execute their vision with a modern, coastal ranch style—along with a pool, jacuzzi, outdoor kitchen and regulation-size grass volleyball court—the couple turned to Jose Mendez of JM Landscaping; longtime friend and general contractor Ennio Schiappa of Schiappa Homes, Inc; and Redondo Beach–based mother-daughter design duo Jennifer Allison and Paige Allison of Jennifer Allison Design.
“The design process was highly collaborative,” says Jennifer. “Their inspiration photos guided our selections, which we translated into refined design options that fit their aesthetic. Through regular sourcing trips and on-site meetings, every detail was thoughtfully reviewed and selected together.”
On the exterior, warm elements flood the home, such as a three-color blend limestone veneer and columns wrapped in barn wood, while reclaimed Trestlewood beams define interior living areas. In the entry, a Moroccan-inspired tile—admired by Maya from one of Jennifer and Paige’s previous projects—was selected for the floor and paired with a custom tile mirror and a Matthes console table in natural pine by Four Hands.
Distinctive, eye-catching tile is a recurring feature throughout the house, from the backsplash on the downstairs bar adorned with Lunada Bay Tile’s Silhouette Mosaic design with circles, squares and petite cross motifs—a subtle nod to Maya’s Swiss roots—to the bold, circular Arto Brick Scirocco-H2A style from BattagliaStile in Lomita that takes center stage on the living room fireplace.
“I love fun tile and thought it would warm up the room a lot,” says Maya. “From here in the evening, you’re staring at a view of the water and the sunset. We wanted to feel like we’re on vacation all the time.”
Future resale flexibility was also a key consideration in the overall design.
“We will be empty nesters before we know it,” explains Pete. “Years from now, if a family buys this home but doesn’t want a second kitchen upstairs, they can remove the appliances and turn it into a game room or TV room. It was about ‘How can we maximize utility and value for a future family that doesn’t have the same needs?’ But for us, Miles and Keith knocked it out of the park.”
The peaceful retreat now functions seamlessly to support each family member. The oldest daughter, away at college, has a dedicated space to call her own when she visits but can easily join the family for movie nights. The mother-in-law—free to come and go as she pleases—hosts Sunday family dinners in her “penthouse” and meets friends for Rummikub and card games.
“Everyone is at different stages of their lives,” says Pete. “Not only does everybody have space for themselves, but the communal areas are super inviting. It’s not like having one room that’s off-limits except for holidays, or ‘This is my dad’s room, and he’s watching his TV down there.’ Our home feels inclusive. We’re very, very lucky.”
