SUNSHINE STATE

The Zen-like interior and exterior of this Californian home shine bright and lend themselves to relaxation

- JULIET BENNING

Shortly after the financial crisis of 2008, William Hefner and his wife Kazuko Hoshino purchased the land where they would build their weekend getaway in Montecito, California. Despite feeling cautious due to the unfolding recession, the couple were so seduced by the plot with its mountain views and seven ancient oak trees that they bought it with a long-term view. ‘We didn’t do anything with it for a few years as we waited to see what was going to happen with the recession, but as soon as things felt secure, we began to design the house,’ says William. William runs Studio William Hefner, one of Los Angeles’ most respected architecture firms, with Kazuko heading up the interiors branch. The couple have been married for 25 years and have an 11-year old son, Koji. ‘Kazuko was born in Tokyo and came to the US to finish college, so Japan is an important part of our lives and it has had a strong influence on the design of the house,’ says William. The pair wanted a two-storey property, but their plans weren’t approved so they started again from scratch. ‘We were upset, but we soon found out that there’s a luxurious feeling to being all on one level,’ says William.