Come Aboard This Venice Beach Boathouse

When you look from side to side at the roof of this Venice house, the first solo design by acclaimed architect Frederick Fisher, you'll note it's shaped like a line of breaking waves. Originally built in 1979, the current owners, co-president of CBS Films Wolfgang Hammer and his wife, refurbished and restored the house in 2008 to its current gleaming state. They had the wood sanded and added a new kitchen with stainless steel Viking appliances and plenty of built-in storage. They also updated the three bathrooms.

Because the property has a high wall and sturdy gate, the front yard is extremely private and can be used for more living space, like al fresco dining.

The inside of this modern beach house has a design concept that replicates the hull of a boat, so owners have the feeling of living onboard. Fully refinished fir furniture, beams and balconies are highlighted in this catwalk-style loft area, used as a library, that connects the two upstairs bedroom suites and hovers over the atrium.

A two-story atrium with multiple windows and skylights lets plenty of natural light and sunshine into this Venice beach house great room.