Crupi Residence
Cantoni for the Transitional Interiors
of Ursula Crupi's Italianate Seaside House
Architect, builder and interior designer Ursula Crupi loves contemporary Italian design and loves shopping Cantoni.
On the other hand, the magnificent home she designed and built for herself and her husband, Rocco, at Monarch Beach in Southern California is quite distinct from the ultramodern residences we usually feature in this eNewsletter.
Yet, the Crupi home demonstrates Cantoni works in perfect harmony with a wide variety of architectural styles and interior plans.
Ursula calls her design “Italian Mediterranean” and calls attention to classical revival architectural elements like arched entries and windows, dramatic crown moldings and other types 
of decorative moldings, the lighted alcoves and niches for sculpture, and an atrium with fountain and plants. All very Italian, very Mediterranean indeed.
The exterior of the Crupi house features a natural-colored plaster finish, a clay-tiled roof and a façade of stone that looks quarried, but is actually manufactured. You could fool me!
Inside, you’re greeted with rich wood moldings, cabinetry and furniture, travertine floors and warm granite countertops and tabletops, cozy lighting, and original art the Crupis have collected over time. The impression is of a house that, for its 6,000 square feet, is an inviting, intimate haven designed to be lived in.
“As both interior designer and architect,” says Ursula, “I visualized the interior color scheme and furnishings even as our house was in the design concept stage.”
Ursula’s interior palette of natural, earth tones is analogous to the exterior and the setting. The designer doesn’t like extreme contrasts. She creates subtle accents with art, flower arrangements, pillows, rugs and lighting–and Cantoni.
“I’ve known Cantoni a long time and knew I’d find furnishings that would work perfectly with this house. The sleek, clean forms and shiny finishes and materials of Cantoni’s product contrast nicely with the textures and colors of the stone, wood and fabrics that give our interiors their character.”
When the time came for Ursula to look for furnishings, she visited Cantoni Irvine and met designer Sarah Monaghan, who helped find the collections and individual pieces in the materials and colors Ursula had in mind.
Says Sarah: “We didn’t do it all at once. We started with dining chairs and barstools, then the living room, then other spaces. We both came to appreciate Cantoni’s wide selection and large in-stock inventory.”
And I know Ursula appreciated our Design Studio services and resources, and Sarah’s straightforward, professional manner. Sarah has a broad knowledge of our collections and, as a designer herself, had a great sense of what would fulfill Ursula’s vision.
Props to Sarah and thanks to the Crupis for permitting us to feature their beautiful home and illustrate how well Cantoni suits transitional styles of architecture.
Click below for further information on this project:
• Crupi Residence
CRUPI CONSTRUCTION CO. PROVIDES
TURNKEY DESIGN-TO-BUILD SERVICES
Ursula Crupi, whose seaside home is featured in this eNewsletter, points out that this elegant residence is a great example of what Crupi Construction Company does: “We are a design-build contractor. We like to control the entire process from concept to construction, including interior design.”
The Crupi firm specializes in new residential design and construction, but welcomes remodeling projects of all degrees of complexity as well.
Ursula has more than 30 years’ experience in this industry, including design and construction management of major commercial projects. Her firm has also built a loyal team of subcontractors that Crupi has worked with for many years. Together they’ve earned a reputation for the highest quality of design, workmanship, performance and integrity.
We’re honored that Ursula chose Cantoni for her own home. To contact her, 949-309-6691. Email: crupidesig@cox.net
