Melissa Rohani didn’t set out to purchase Warren Buffett’s former beach house. But when the interior designer, who co-founded Southern California-based design firm Studio Gutow with Lisa Berman, was searching for a family home in Laguna Beach, she was disappointed by the lack of character in many of the places she toured.
“Most homes on the market in Orange County have been flipped or touched in some way,” Melissa explains. “Lisa and I both really love and are drawn to spaces that have some sort of history. We want it to feel warm when you walk in rather than sterile. But a bunch of homes in this community were just stone veneered everywhere and very grand and fancy.”
Warren Buffett’s one-time getaway, on the other hand, was a retro time capsule. Originally constructed as a small cottage in the 1930s, the beachfront abode was built up to a three-story, 4898-square-foot mini mansion in the decades since the business magnate bought it in 1971. But its interiors still reflected a bygone era, with rough stucco, aluminum railings, and commercial-grade carpet.
And though Melissa had no intention of keeping these dated finishes, the four-bedroom house had all the charm she was seeking. Plus, she couldn’t deny its prime location—just steps from the Pacific Ocean—and its meandering layout, which was ideal for separating her young kids and twenty-something step-children into their own wings. The only question was how, exactly, she would update the dwelling for modern life.
Ultimately, Melissa decided to gut renovate but attempt to preserve the original essence wherever possible. Throughout the project, she and Lisa referenced a photo album of the house that the Buffett family kindly shared, as well as other 20th-century inspiration. The result is a cozy, contemporary home that seems like it’s always been this way. Let’s take a closer look.
After
![in order to establish an old world feel, melissa and lisa collaborated with dan 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-1-entry-1-emerald-733x1057.jpg)
![dan luna is also responsible for the intentionally imperfect tongue and groove 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-2-living-1-emerald-733x489.jpg)
![a curvy, olive green bouclé studio balestra chaise offers a breathtaking c 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-2-living-6-1-emerald-733x1100.jpg)
![vintage gems like this bruno mathsson pernilla lounge chair are woven throughou 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-2-living-6-2-emerald-733x1034.jpg)
![despite neighbors\2\17; assumptions, melissa opted to keep the original 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-4-kitchen-1-emerald-733x1100.jpg)
![a white lacanche range is paired with custom white oak cabinetry, veiny paonazz 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-4-kitchen-2-emerald-733x489.jpg)
![in the dining area, a custom banquette is outfitted in schumacher linen, while 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-3-dining-1-emerald-733x1100.jpg)
![the women embraced the seaside locale in the powder room with moody, hand paint 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-4-powder-6-emerald-733x1100.jpg)
![hand applied plaster in patagonia by portola paints evokes relaxation in the pr 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-8-primary-1-emerald-733x489.jpg)
![melissa\2\17;s step daughter, who\2\17;s very into makeup, insist 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-8-primary-5-emerald-733x1100.jpg)
![brooklyn based artist wayne pate partnered with studio four nyc to produce this 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-6-girls-3-emerald-733x938.jpg)
![the guest bedroom showcases more dan luna handiwork with vertical wood paneled 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-7-guest-2-emerald-733x1048.jpg)
![in the family room—which features an inviting, l shaped verellen section 29](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-9-family-1-emerald-733x489.jpg)
![a central courtyard, complete with limestone pavers, is a dream entertaining ve 30](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/sg-10-courtyard-emerald-733x496.jpg)
Before
![before melissa renovated, the house sprawled out in every direction, as evidenc 31](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/lg16746519-0-733x550.jpg)
![the living room was tired and whitewashed, but melissa saw its potential. 32](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/genmidlg16746519-5-0.jpg)
For more in California, see:
- Before and After: A Summery Bungalow in Topanga, California, Redone by an LA Designer
- Yosemite Waterfall House: A Vacation Home Becomes a Full-Time Residence for a Nature-Loving Couple
- ‘Old California’ in an Updated 1907 Arts & Crafts-Style House in Los Angeles
Frequently asked questions
Who is Warren Buffet?
Warren Buffet is an American investor, business magnate, and philanthropist who is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
Where is Warren Buffet's beach house located?
Warren Buffet's beach house is located in Laguna Beach, California.
Who designed Warren Buffet's beach house?
Warren Buffet's beach house was designed by architect Studio Gutow.
When was Warren Buffet's beach house built?
Warren Buffet's beach house was built in 1971.
What is the style of Warren Buffet's beach house?
Warren Buffet's beach house is in the modernist style.
What is the interior like in Warren Buffet's beach house?
The interior of Warren Buffet's beach house is minimalist and decorated with artwork from his personal collection.
Is Warren Buffet's beach house open to the public?
No, Warren Buffet's beach house is a private residence and is not open to the public.
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