Roughly quarried stones bearing the warm rust-colored hues of desert varnish have been masterfully employed throughout Auric House. From the stacked-stone front wall and the hand-cut stone floors to the polished stones in the courtyard surrounding the pool, the stonework is not only decoratively pleasing, it connects the house to the massive mountain behind it. Nowhere is this more evident than in the breathtaking outdoor fireplace and seating area, which boldly incises the space between the two casitas and gives the feeling of it having risen directly from the ground.
Architectural elements in place, all attention turned to the interior design. And it was here that the magic touch was truly made. “Auric House purposely had no interior decorator,” states Paulette Monarrez, who has served as Korakia’s general manager for 18 years. Instead, the home’s current owners, Paul Makarechian and Jason Liebman, filled it with pieces discovered on numerous buying trips to Morocco and around the world. Their goal was to give the impression that its interiors evolved over time with pieces slowly added by different generations.
Auric House is a repository of wonderful treasures of different styles, ages, textures, and materials. And the cloud-white painted walls serve as a calming backdrop to all of it. Queen Anne chairs surround a marble-top table in the dining area. Nearby, a leather sofa and chair grouping form a perfect place to sit while enjoying the fire, a glass of wine, a good book, or conversation with a cherished friend.
