5 Questions with Joan Behnke
Three side-by-side houses on a Venice Walk Street were an opportunity that Joan Behnke could not refuse.
A seasoned design professional, named “the billionaire whisperer” by Forbes magazine, Joan Behnke® continues to thrive on the collaborative aspect of design. She believes it is synonymous with success. Travel has always been an integral part of her creative process, Joan has found a consistent exposure to new places essential — from capturing the spirit of a culture in a design detail to seeking out a unique piece from the shops in Paris or the artisans of Myanmar. She is continually looking for new and inspiring ways to use color, texture and objects of exquisite craftsmanship to create a lasting beauty. When ME Development presented her with this project, it was an opportunity that she could not refuse.
What made you decide to work with ME Development on the Modern Venice Homes?
ME Development had seen several of our past projects in person and appreciated the level of detail and quality that goes into our design work. They understood our design aesthetic and wanted to bring this same approach to three amazing lots. Because the Venice lots are so unique, each one having their own architectural character, as well as having such a fun, central location on the walk streets, we were excited for the challenge to explore designing in this iconic neighborhood.
How would you describe your design style or approach? What makes a signature Joan Behnke design?
Our philosophy is to create a deeper kind of beauty – the type that persists throughout the years. We always aim to create meaning and give significance to design. Being approached by ME Development to work on the Modern Venice Homes was a new kind of challenge since it would need to appeal to a larger audience and not for a specific client. With this, we simply brought our same philosophy into each lot – exploring each one’s exterior architecture and implementing and elevating those similar details into the interior architecture, materials and finishes of each home.
Each home’s interior design is definitely informed by the architecture, but how would you describe the character of each one?
We would describe the Historic Modern house as more eclectic. A brick historic structure juxtaposed with a modern addition in dark metal cladding, dark windows and doors and a very streamlined roofline. The interiors feature white painted TnG planks on the ceilings, a sculptural iron railing, bold black and white cement tiles on the stairs, and a kitchen faucet that looks like an industrial contraption.
We would describe the Modern Family house as a much more minimal structure, with straight-lined roofs and metal cladding. The interior architecture of this home features contemporary, Mondrian-inspired shapes throughout various design elements – from the main room’s back wall and cabinetry, interior doors and stair wall. The colors in this home have much higher contrast, with dark wood stains next to white plaster walls and ceilings. The dark wood stained wall has raised and shallow rectangular blocks of wood, that vary in size and shape. The kitchen island is clad in a white Caesarstone quartz, with interlocking vertical and horizontal planes of quartz slab.
We would describe the Contemporary Farmhouse as a clean-lined, pared down version of exactly that, a modern farmhouse. We took facets associated with the farmhouse and elevated and updated them with an urban aesthetic. There are channeled wood planks running vertically across walls and ceilings, which is adapted from the more traditional concept of shiplap. The doors carry that same vertical channeled wood concept; the floors are a light oak finish, accented with dark oil rubbed bronze door hardware.
What is your favorite design element from each home?
In the Historic Modern, the grand stair is so bold with the black and white tile and sculptural railing. We have never done anything like this before. The overall effect is quite striking.
In the Modern Family house, the Mondrian-inspired dark wood stained wall, with raised and shallow rectangular blocks is so memorable. The level of detail and craftsmanship is unparalleled.
In the Contemporary Farmhouse, the bespoke lighting that washes the walls, and the way that the ceilings are pulled back from the walls. It’s hard to describe but the effect is luxurious.
Who do you envision living in these Modern Venice Homes?
Young successful professionals, young families. Silicon Beach entrepreneurs who like to entertain in style, but live comfortably and casually. Or perhaps even a bi-coastal resident who wants a casual but elegant quintessential Venice, CA pied-a-terre.