Traditional Design with a Modern Sensibility wins home of year award
It was a rainy Thursday night in Los Angeles (Rain in LA? We know. We were just as shocked.)
Loczi Design partners Mike and Catrina had just arrived at MASS Beverly, the showroom where Fendi Casa meets Italian designers Gallotti and Radice and everything sparkles - including the guest list. Modern Luxury Interiors was hosting its annual Design 9 awards, and the room was buzzing. Think iconic designers, signature cocktails, perfect lighting, and just enough glam to make you feel like you’re living in an Architectural Digest fever dream.
Nine awards were on the table. Categories ranged from Best Contemporary Residence, Best Vacation Home, Best Traditional Residence and on and on. We had prepared a few words, just in case. You know, polite gratitude, something short and sweet. But when they announced Loczi Design as the winner of Best Traditional Residence? Well, that speech evaporated. Gone. Poof. So we winged it; thanking the editors for the recognition and the judges for awarding our Atherton Estate project the Best Traditional Residence.
We returned to our seats, riding the high, only to be tapped on the shoulder by a certain celebrity we are not allowed to name but let’s just say, their praise meant a lot. But the night wasn’t over.
Then came the final award. The big one. Modern Luxury’s 2025 Home of the Year.
As the name was read aloud - again, Loczi Design - Catrina gasped in disbelief and Mike nearly choked on his champagne. We both stood, half laughing, half stunned.
This time we thanked the team, Paige Loczi, the Creative Director on the project, the incredible clients, the vendors, and everyone who helped bring this project to life. And we meant every word. Because every once in a while, you land on a client who fits like a glove. Shelley and Adam were that rare unicorn. Bold, trusting, collaborative; the kind of partners that make this work a joy. This home quickly became Loczi’s largest project to date, and we’re thrilled to see it receiving the recognition it deserves.
A Grand Estate, with a Twist
We’re thrilled to share our Grand Atherton Estate project and Modern Luxury’s 2025 Home of the Year! This project reflects what we value most at Loczi Design: bold storytelling, thoughtful architecture, and spaces that balance beauty and function with ease.
This house had all the credentials. Four stories. Over 14,000 square feet. Five bedrooms. Seven full baths. A few half-baths tossed in for good measure. There’s a gym, a wine cellar, a rec room, multiple offices, a pool house with its own kitchen and bath, and even a tennis court. And the redwood out back - just casually towering over the beautiful garden - wow!
Built in 2005 by Pacific Peninsula Group, the bones were solid. The casework was gorgeous. And the layout worked beautifully for Shelley and Adam’s lifestyle. But for all its grandeur, the place still felt a little... polite. Nice, but not them.
They wanted something bolder. A little less precious. A lot more personality. So of course they called us.
Their ask? Make it interesting. Make it fun. Make it feel like our home.
Let’s Make It Ridiculous (in the Best Way)
We started, as we always do, with conversation. What came out was a vision full of contradictions in the best possible way. They wanted whimsy and polish. Formality with a wink. Botanical beauty with a side of humor.
We were all in.
The palette leaned into lush greens and earthy tones, with patterns that feel like they’re growing up the walls. We gave the home a soft, natural elegance and layered in just enough ridiculousness to keep it human.
To bring that spirit to life, we took Shelley and Adam on curated trips to New York and London. We met with artists and artisans who live for the one-of-a-kind. The three-story light installation by 7Gods in the spiral staircase? A showstopper. The chandelier over the dining table by artist Andreea Avramescu Rusu? Stunning. The powder room sconces by Feyza Kemahiloglu from Wexler Gallery? Jewelry for the walls.
Old World Meets New Energy
We didn’t touch the footprint, but we reimagined nearly every finish. In the kitchen and butler’s pantry, we swapped out the old countertops and tile for materials from Fireclay.
Furniture in the library and music room was classically made but layered with rich textures and color. When we couldn’t find what we wanted, we partnered with Hare & Arrow Arts. They built custom pieces, including the kitchen bar stools inspired by Notre Dame’s rose window. There's a resin layer that shifts with the light, mimicking the sun.
Drapery and wallcoverings by Christian Lacroix added more than just pattern. They brought movement, tension, and a touch of theater.
Every Detail Had a Job to Do
What we love about this project is that nothing was done just to fill space. Every piece has a story. Every room serves a purpose. Even the wildest ideas were grounded in something meaningful.
Most importantly, the home feels like Shelley and Adam. Bold. Warm. Curious. Bespoke.
This was one of those projects where everything clicked. The collaboration was real. The trust was there. The process was joyful. And the result? A home that earned every bit of recognition, even if we didn’t quite believe it when they called our name for the second time.
Why It Matters
Receiving this recognition from Modern Luxury Magazine is an incredible honor. These awards acknowledge not just the final result but the process that got us there; one built on curiosity, trust, and a shared vision for what home should feel like.
For us, design is about creating a sense of belonging. It’s about finding that perfect balance between form and feeling. And when we get to do that alongside clients like Shelley and Adam, it’s the kind of work that reminds us why we do what we do.
Read the full story behind the award-winning Atherton Estate here.
