On the shores of Lido Isle in Newport Beach, a family home aptly nicknamed Viva La Lido, hits all the right notes. Designed by Brandon Architects with interiors by Blackband Design, this bayfront residence channels the rhythm of rock ‘n’ roll through subtle yet rhythmic details. The 3,095-square-foot home showcases what happens when rock music meets refined design, creating a space that pulses with energy while maintaining an unmistakably sophisticated edge. The homeowners’ passion for legendary rock musicians runs deep; their dog bears the name Ace after the KISS guitarist with the same name. Their Duffy boat even carries the “Sweet E-motion” moniker, a tribute to Aerosmith. As another way to showcase their love of rock ‘n’ roll, they keep a record player signed by Dave Mustaine of Megadeath on display.
Interior designer Wendy Blackband kept personal touches in mind and used them as a starting point, layering in subtle nods to music through textures, patterns and finishes that echo the family’s love of rock while keeping the design elevated and refined.
“We translated the homeowners’ passion for rock music into sophisticated interior design elements without making it feel overwhelming by using a more subtle approach,” Blackband explains. “We incorporated design elements that felt edgy without being overbearing or extreme.”
Setting the Tone
Brandon Architects’ project manager, Elizabeth Hanna, describes the architectural approach: “The clients were interested in a farmhouse transitional style design.
They loved the Newport Coastal feel, but to fit their family lifestyle, the coastal aesthetic had to be mixed with modern elements and presented in a more transitional feel,” she recalls.
The design features a combination of flat and pitched roofs that serve aesthetic and practical purposes. The flat sections introduce modern design elements to the facade while helping reduce the home’s overall mass to comply with strict HOA restrictions. Meanwhile, the pitched sections emphasize traditional aspects while increasing ceiling heights in key rooms.
“Ceiling heights and square footage are always top priorities when designing on constrained lots,” Hanna clarifies. “This HOA, in particular, enforces strict regulations on height and maximum square footage. By identifying opportunities early, we can design around these limitations, allowing the home’s style to provide creative solutions.”
Traditional materials, such as white siding, receive modern application and detailing, bringing the transitional style to life. Hanna takes pride in the detailing of traditional materials and modern steel elements, noting that the details bring the project to life.
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Elevated Accents
The music-inspired elements extend far beyond the obvious guitar and record player displays. Blackband reveals a special Easter egg hidden in the texture-patterned tile on the bar; they look just like leaning records. A zebra-print hide entry bench, a studded hall credenza and jewel-toned elements throughout create rock-inspired moments without overwhelming the refined aesthetic. High-quality surround sound capabilities are threaded throughout the home, because, as Blackband notes, “you can’t have rock ‘n’ roll without speakers!”
Perhaps the most striking element is the custom glass elevator, which is bound to deliver an unforgettable first impression. Rising through the home’s center and topped with a skylight, the elevator brings natural light deep into the interior while making an artistic statement.
“Elevators are a luxury in the homes we design for, and glass elevators are an even greater luxury,” Blackband points out. “In this case, the elevator stands in the house’s entry, so we knew we wanted it to make more of a bold statement, to act as art in and of itself.”
Hanna echoes the sentiment from the architectural side. “This was such a great feature of the home,” she says. “Not only is it an amazing focal piece, but it also helps bring so much natural light through the house to the first level.”
Function Meets Family
Designing for a family of five on limited bayfront real estate presented unique challenges. “We had to make sure to design the home with functionality and efficiency in mind for an active family, plus Ace (the dog),” Blackband says. Each bedroom features a work desk space and maximized storage with built-in cabinetry.
The parents also sought sophistication, while their daughters required rooms that reflected their individuality. Blackband’s solution focused on durability without sacrificing style: “We chose durable, yet stylish fabrics and finishes. We designed each girl’s room to reflect their personalities, but intentionally to ensure the styles each fit within the home’s overall aesthetic.”
The fashion-forward daughter’s space features feminine patterns, a rich emerald-green velvet pillow accenting the bed and a luxurious velvet headboard. Her built-in closet showcases sophisticated hardware with polished nickel and acrylic handles, while the whimsical Talia glass chandelier by Visual Comfort provides lighting. Two upscale mirrored nightstands anchor the bed.
One of the girls’ rooms has a casual, beachy style with neutral earth tones, especially in sheets and decorative pillows. The youngest, whose style is colorful and eclectic, got bedding with fun patterns, pops of color, and textured details that show off her personality.
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Striking the Right Chord
The palette throughout is a layered composition of stone, wood and metal. Blackband describes her philosophy: “We always say ‘mix, don’t match’ especially when it comes to metals. A general approach would be not to use just one metal finish in a room but introduce at least two—this creates interest and balance.”
This design principle extends throughout the rest of the house. As Blackband notes, “It’s common to have the great room, kitchen and dining room all together in the same space. As designers working with Brandon Architects, it was a team effort to ensure that these key spaces flowed seamlessly in the home but still felt uniquely grounded.”
Quiet craftsmanship details are woven throughout the home, waiting to be discovered. “There’s an oversized stained pivot front door with multi-direction grain that is just beautiful,” Blackband remarks. “Also, the stair railing was a true collaboration of design and engineering to achieve frameless glass floating within metal posts.”
From an architectural perspective, Hanna highlights the marriage of tradition and modernity. “I think the detailing of the traditional materials and modern steel elements particularly stand out,” she says. “The details make the project come to life.”
The homeowners also remained deeply involved throughout the process. “The design was born out of their interests and desires for its style,” Hanna notes. “They were involved every step of the way.”
Together, they created a highly functional, personal retreat where form and function play in perfect harmony. The residence proves that rock ’n’ roll edge can harmonize with refined design, resulting in a waterfront home that strikes both a power ballad’s intensity and an architectural anthem’s grace.