When the owner of a DC tech company decided to build a second home in the San Diego enclave of Santaluz, she tapped Washington designer Christopher Boutlier, with whom she’d previously collaborated, for the interiors. “She’s originally from California and has roots there, so this was a touchstone property for her,” he explains.

Sited on a hill overlooking vast plains, the 5,000-square-foot home was conceived in what the designer calls “California Spanish Modern” style—a distilled interpretation of Spanish architecture that embraces local vernacular with archways, stucco siding and a terracotta-tile roof. Walls of steel-framed glass create flow between airy interiors and outdoor spaces, which include sheltered gathering areas, a swimming pool and terraced gardens.

Boutlier clad the floors inside and out with limestone tile. He weighed in on room size and door placement and mocked up archways. Against crisp-white walls, he established a modern aesthetic with Italian furniture, abstract art and sculptural lighting. 

“The house is really meant for family to get together; the rooms are scaled well, so it feels intimate,” observes the designer. As a bonus, he adds, “On a clear day you can see all the way to the beaches of Del Mar—and to Tijuana.”

Architecture: Friehauf Architects, Solana Beach, California. Interior Design: Christopher Boutlier, Christopher Boutlier Interiors, Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Anne Decker, AIA, Anne Decker Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Builder: Mulvey Custom Builders, Del Mar, California. Landscape Architecture: TCLA Studio, Capistrano Beach, California. Styling: Anita Sarsidi.