peek inside artist john baldessari’s santa monica home, listed for $3.9M

the john baldessari house #1 in santa monica

the home of late american artist john baldessari is currently for sale in santa monica. born in 1931 in national city, california, baldessari was a hugely innovative force in contemporary art, and is considered one of the founders of conceptual art. his works have been featured in more than 300 solo exhibitions and in over 1000 group exhibitions in the US and europe. the artist passed away in 2020 in los angeles.

the two-story, craftsman-style residence in santa monica served as baldessari’s laid back dwelling for nearly ten years, after which he hired ron godfredsen and danna sigal of godfredsen-sigal architects to expand and bring a modern ambience to it.all images courtesy of crosby doe associates

A CRAFTSMAN-STYLE HOME WITH MODERN ADDITIONS

the john baldessari house #1 in santa monica is currently listed for $3,895,000. responding to the artist’s need for more space, more light, and more creatively exciting living areas, godfredsen-sigal architects provided a wrightian-influenced addition with eat-in kitchen, and a library above at the rear. at the same time, the exteriors were perforated with skylights and light windows,‘that seem to give a tip of the hat to james turrell’s work in venice,’ as the property’s real estate agent, crosby doe associates, notes. san diego-based artist, designer, furniture maker, and architect roy mcmakin completed the vision with custom-made furniture, some of which may be available for separate purchase.

while the architects expanded the home with modern additions, the character of the original craftsman style is still referenced with exterior matching lap siding, and the retention of many interior period details. the residence is set in a garden with an olive grove, grassy yard, and exotic plantings, and includes open plan public spaces, a library, three bedrooms, two baths, and laundry.

strategically-placed windows frame the yard surrounding the property