Nicky Reed and Ian Somerhalder—she known for writing ‘Thirteen’, he for acting in ‘The Vampire Diaries’—added this quirky contemporary to the Venice, California, open listings this month. The couple paid $2.85 million for the 4-bedroom property in the summer of 2015; in the early autumn of 2019, they are seeking $3.5 million.

A reasonable expectation for a unique house. The recent build is thankfully quite distinct from ‘generic developer deluxe,’ carving out its own credible identity. The cohesion of exterior and interior architecture feels well engineered, with midcentury modern and rustic elements combined into a living style that’s playfully casual and just a little bit circumspect.

The 2,850 square-footer finds a nice sense of balance in its use of concrete and timber, and the shared living area’s extensive glass and retractable wall give it a breezy, youthful feel—the kitchen’s modern style, with glass cabinetry, is particularly effective. Up the industrial-chic staircase, the master suite receives a fair amount of the available space, stretching out with a goodly sized walk-in closet and a bath with a rejuvenating soaking tub.

The property exterior is tight, no doubt about it, but finds room enough for a convincing expression of post-work R&R potential. A patio with fire feature, a bit of lawn, and privacy walls and landscaping do a fine job of milking the little lot for all it’s worth.