If Howard Stevens needs to escape the hustle bustle of LA, the former longtime stand up comic, turned television host now has the perfect hideout in the North County San Diego beach town of Encinitas, CA. The Emmy Award winning writer, was introduced to Encinitas while visiting friends. He was immediately taken by the walkability and friendliness of the small beach town. “Not to mention the good looking women,” chuckles Stevens who also made note of a community on the move and with little real estate inventory. Photography: Jenny Siegwart.

Introduced to dasMOD Co-Founder, Erik Gilmer, the two spent many hours touring the up-and-coming Encinitas Highlands neighborhood where Stevens settled on a 1950’s stereotypical, boxy tract house, suffering from decay and a serious lack of attention. The dasMOD team recognized the unspectacular, old-age spirit of the house could easily transition into an intimate, low-maintenance yet dynamic second home for Stevens that reflected the timeless beauty
and simple comforts of a beach community. The renovation was a sustainable effort and an adaptive use of the existing property. One that focused on tearing down selectively with an emphasis on doing something fun and cool, with a vibe similar to that of an art gallery.

Reworking the front exterior and retaining wall provides a seamless and dynamic interaction between the indoors and out while adding a distinctive new look to the entrance. The front courtyard is a peaceful integration to the interior living area and provides an intimate space with privacy from
neighboring homes.

The result is an inspiring collaboration between the dasMOD team and Stevens whose passion for architecture and design is present throughout the home.

The handmade touches of the newly refined Arden House makes for an ideal experience for midsummer night cocktail parties, low-key weekend dinners, and a serene hideaway for Stevens’ out-of-town visitors. “It was the discerning design sense and creative guidance of the dasMOD team that helped me curate the ideal home-away-from-home in Encinitas.” Stevens says.