This Palos Verdes home is a 2008 Winner of ASID Design Competition for Residential Project over 5,000 sq ft, and was published in California Homes magazine. With its architectural columns, this hallway was a perfect setting to display a bronze statue, giving the hallway a distinguished, museum-like presence. The architectural layout of the entry hall necessitated the furnishing of its oversized space. Suzanne used eclectic art from the Lowe Gallery to bring it visual excitement and dimension.

In the living room, rich dark woods and soft fabric hues combined with sculptural accessories to create an artistic composition that frames breathtaking views. For the dining room, Ms. Furst worked around the clients’ dining set and added the head chairs to give the set more volume and elegance by using patterned silk. The rug was custom made by Atelier Lapchi. Artwork and sculpture through Lowe Gallery. Ms. Furst added the drapery treatment and plant to give the room more warmth. The library, also, is enlivened by fine art accessories and a custom rug, while Shoji screens lend a Japanese serenity.

The bedroom shown here is the guest bedroom. The client’s love of her gardens and the color red was evident in her choice of raspberry floral patterned custom bedding to bring the outside in.

The client wanted to integrate their fine African art collection into a traditional style home, whose rich, warm colors of dark blue, burgundy red, and yellow gold accentuate the African color palette. Ms. Furst created a gallery style exhibit of their statuary and paintings through use of plinths and custom lighting. Every piece of artwork was displayed with dramatic effect. It is quite stunning. The Moroccan cocktail table in the living room was chosen to add texture and spice to the room. The guest bedroom suite shown here was designed to satisfy the client's desire for luxurious fabrics in her favorite color, Gold. Five different silk fabrics were combined to create the custom bedding and drapery treatments. Ms. Furst added the settee to provide some seating in the room.

This entry hall, while dramatically breathtaking, is also extremely functional. The skylight holds an automatic cable wench that allows the dramatically large chandelier to be lowered 23' for cleaning and bulb changing. Ms. Furst custom designed the iron stair railing and stair runner. The walls are done in an antique Old World finish. The inset medallion in the floor contains marquetry of seven different woods. Exciting Murano glass art pieces enrich the space.

In the stunning Great Room, wood plant-ons placed on the ceiling define three individual areas in a cohesive manner while preventing the room from appearing over sized. Indirect lighting in the ceiling crown moulding creates a warm glow that is reflected on the wide wood plank floor which is honed and waxed to a rich old world burnished appearance. The room has a centrally located wet bar commissioned by Ms. Furst and custom built on premises per her specifications. The custom glass landscaped mural behind the bar provides light access during the day. At night, her specifications for fiber optics surrounding the mural sections create dramatic lighting for entertaining. Custom Murano, glass cable lighting over the bar counter adds a contemporary whimsical touch to the design elements. The hand-knotted draperies frame the windows over sumptuous Italian lace curtains. Comfortable chenille sofas flank the custom oversized sandstone fireplace, which was created by the designer with custom iron screen.

The Dining Room boasts a beautifully inlaid parquet wood floor inset with ebony borders and definitive design elements. The ceiling contains an oval orbit of low voltage lighting and a reflective lighting border enriched by a bronze metallic paint finish in the soffit. The walls are plastered with an unusual free-form, stenciled floral pattern in a warm champagne color with a glazed patina. Oversized Italian chairs surround a one of a kind custom table as per Ms. Furst's specifications. It can extend to 12' long with 2 leaves, supported by a hand carved leg and platform base. Custom console, credenza and antique reproduction mirror complete this space along with art and accessories.

This Media Room is composed of a projection system with drop-down screen, THX stereo sound system, and is fully computerized to control lighting, draperies, and equipment at the touch of a button. Custom plaster finish on walls is applied to sound board to reduce exterior sound and vibration. Leather swivel rocker chairs and ottomans, soft sofa, and giant floor pillows make this a comfortable family media room. Custom designed cabinetry, wine refrigerator, wet bar and popcorn machine complete the space.

Luxury is your first thought when you enter each bedroom and view the exquisite draperies designed by Ms. Furst. In one, soft tones of blue and bone have a serene effect, while the Chinese accents in the custom bed treatment and artwork add an eclectic highlight to the room. Another guest bedroom shown contains built-in, automatically lit closets when doors are opened; an armoire, and a comfortable sofa to read and enjoy the surrounding views. The draperies, custom designed by Ms. Furst, have black-out roman shades that easily disappear into the deep valances when not needed. The custom wool area rug was coordinated to match the fabrics in the room.

Ms. Furst designed the outdoor entertaining, seating, pool area, and lush gardens to complete the finest living environment.

Meditation Room:
The Meditation Room in this Eco Home features earth-friendly wallcovering, cork floors, and recycled wood tables. The hourglass shaped side table is comprised of shaved coconut shell, while the floor lamp is actually an antique that has been transformed into an art piece by an artist who re-works antique and recycled materials. The rug is made of natural wool and silk fibers. The overall look is Asian contemporary that sacrifices neither style nor comfort.

Bathroom:
The bathroom features sustainable bamboo vanity, natural stone sink, glass tile mirror, and American Clay plaster walls. The shower is made of onyx tile walls with a bamboo style detail containing mirrored "knots" to accentuate the pattern. The shower door handle made of bamboo and glass continues the theme. The double-paned window contains a sheet of leaf-patterned rice paper to provide privacy while allowing light to come through during the day.

Outdoor Patio:
This compact outdoor patio is furnished with antique Indonesian teak chairs, recycled wood sculpture and tables, and natural fabrics. The Buddha fountain was crafted by an Eco-friendly artist to create a serene surrounding for meditation and contemplation. The antique screen and large gourds with dried woods create a cozy backdrop for the seating area.

Gourmet Entertaining Kitchen:
The slate and wood floor, wood ceiling beams, and the distressed cabinets create an Old World feel to this custom gourmet kitchen. The custom iron electric pot rack (which moves up and down), built-in wine racks, wine refrigerator, refrigerated vegetable drawers, dishwasher drawers, commercial range and ovens, refrigerator and freezer, and huge 12' x 6' island truly make this a kitchen for entertaining.

Malibu Beach Home Contemporary Casual Kitchen:
This kitchen was totally gutted and redesigned by Ms. Furst to add an additional 30% storage space. One wall between kitchen and den was removed to allow more visual space. The adjacent dining area is open and airy, with contemporary art, spicy colors, and seductive lighting, featuring the chandelier designed by Ms. Furst. She also designed the chairs which were covered in an outdoor chenille fabric selected with beachfront living in mind.

Shaker Style Kitchen and Dining Room for HGTV Designer's Challenge:
This is a modern style country kitchen because it is open, airy, and sleek while retaining warm Shaker-style cabinetry and farm style sink. The honed slate countertops are a contemporary counterpoint to the stone and mosaic backsplashes. Four rooms were reconfigured into two to create a larger kitchen and dining room in this hillside home. A wood ceiling beam was added as an accent to transition between the two rooms, and new oak floors in a dark mahogany finish lend warmth throughout the space.

Bathroom Remodel: Maximizing a Small Master Bath
This small bathroom feels more airy and open by enhancing light through a glass wall insert that is mimicked on the tub/shower partition and by including storage in functional spaces of mirrored medicine chests and storage shelves over W.C..

Bathroom Remodel: Small Guest Bath
Small guest bath using natural woods, pebbles and glass for an earthy feeling.

Spa Master Bath:
Today's master baths are created to resemble a spa. Our clients immerse themselves in jacuzzi tubs surrounded by built-in sound systems. They have heated marble floors and heated towel bars to keep them warm and comfy. Let's not forget the built-in steam shower, his and her vanities, and the lady's makeup table and chair to satisfy their needs. That is what you will find in this bath. All cabinetry and tilework designed by Ms. Furst.

Craftsman House Powder Room:
Copper soffet and Italian mosaic columns frame the mirrored marble sink counter. The sink faucet and trim are also copper to reflect the period. The floor is also done in an Italian mosaic pattern. There are many antique accessories to highlight this Period powder room. The ceiling was vaulted by the designer and has a trompe l'oiel pattern of the sky and clouds. The designer added the stained glass window and window treatment to reflect the time period. The walls are covered in an antique damask paper with a unique suede-like finish.

Gentleman's Master Bath:
This master bath was designed with a man in mind. The vanity is a large chest with a custom painted Ultraglas top designed to complement the sink. The shape of the matching mirror was inspired by the artwork on the adjacent wall. The THG fixtures have Lalique handles, while the deep colors in the Persian rug add another masculine touch to the room.

Additional Powder Rooms:

Greystone Mansion, Library, 2007:
Modern deco style was the theme for this sleek library featured in the 2007 Beverly Hills Garden and Design Showcase at Historic Greystone Estate. The chandeliers were custom designed by Ms. Furst and are being used by the manufacturer in their new line. The ottoman is covered in a sustainable fabric made of paper to resemble animal fur. The wallcovering is a linen that is hand-painted in metallic paint in a deco floral motif. Faux antique white books line the shelves to brighten the room and make it 'pop.' The furnishings are a well-blended mix of deco, contemporary, and African pieces. The resulting look is luxurious Hollywood glam.

Greystone Mansion, Mrs. Doheny's Suite, 2006:

Greystone Mansion, Living Room and Dining Room, 2005:

DIFFA Dining By Design: