Sometimes the most moving experiences come full circle when you least expect them. In my case a series of elements converged at once, thus creating the perfect storm to get my figurative foot into a beautiful SoCal home (again).

I remember my first plunge into the USA vividly, like it was yesterday. It was the early 80's when my family and I took our first trip to Laguna Beach, CA. We were visiting family for the summer. Some of my most vivid recollections in life come through my sense of smell, and one of the most comforting scents I've experienced is the smell of that house: a mix of pine, Pacific ocean air, oil painting and turpentine... Heavenly! My aunt, a well-established Laguna artist, had her studio in the basement.

It was Art Basel Miami Beach week, 2017, when I met with Clerel designer Tracy Schroeder once again.

We had been introduced a year earlier by Laguna Art Museum's Deputy Director, who happened to be my dearest cousin at the time.

Tracy and I spoke about our shared enthusiasm for incorporating objects with meaning into our living spaces, and that conversation organically turned into a design project.

THIS VERY SPECIALIZED RESIDENTIAL PROJECT WAS THE PERFECT INTERSECTION OF A COSMOPOLITAN, WELL TRAVELLED CLIENT WITH VERY SOPHISTICATED TASTES AND A CREATIVE WHO UNDERSTOOD THE SUBTLE NUANCES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BEACH LIFESTYLE.  - JAIME ODABACHIAN, ODABASHIAN

Tracy, an art collector and design connoisseur was setting up her new Newport Beach home.

As we conversed about her search for the perfect lounge area rug all my childhood recollections of what I know about life in Orange County rushed back. I immediately knew what would make her and her visitors want to take their shoes off and cozy up at home, without ever wanting to leave. The custom design project developed during the weeks that followed.

After an exchange of concepts and sketches, we came up with the perfect design that'd compliment the furnishings, art collection, and overall style of the house.

This project was made possible by the centenarian knowledge of Odabashian Rugs, one of the oldest rug companies in America, whom I've collaborated with for several seasons. I chose undyed natural New Zealand wool in a flat weave kilim base, and then a traditional Moroccan knot with hand-braided fringe.