Talk to anyone who worked with Maria Sharapova on the design, construction, and decoration of her discreetly ravishing home in Los Angeles and their responses invariably follow the same themes: that the tennis star maintained a resolute vision of how she wanted the residence to feel and function from the earliest phases of the project; that she was one of the most intellectually curious and committed clients they’ve ever encountered; and that her style and spirit—as a supremely confident athlete, aesthete, and businesswoman—animate every inch of the property. In short, Maria Sharapova is a boss.
“I was obsessed with the process of making this home. I’d jump off a plane from a tournament and go straight to the work site or to the architect’s office or to a kitchen manufacturer. This was my project, and I wasn’t going to delegate any part of it,” insists the Russian-born phenom.
Sharapova, wearing a Chloé dress, in the dining room. George Nakashima chairs; Billy Cotton chandelier; Chris Gwaltney painting. Flowers throughout by Joseph Free.
The home’s entry features a mix of unpretentious materials: poured concrete walls, floating bleached-oak stairs, and a travertine floor.
As with many sports celebrities who have been in the public eye since they were children, it’s easy to forget just how young Sharapova really is. Now 32, the statuesque player first attained the world number-one ranking in women’s tennis at the age of 18. She is one of only 10 athletes in the history of the women’s game to achieve a career Grand Slam, winning all four majors. Off the court, Sharapova has flexed her business muscles through a broad array of endorsements and sponsorships, the creation of her signature apparel line for Nike, the launch of Sugarpova, her premium candy–and–chocolate company, and other ventures. At present, she is developing sports and training venues keyed to principles of holistic health and wellness.
“Maria’s work ethic is astonishing. She’s competitive as hell, in the best possible way, and she was involved in every single aspect of this house, down to the most minute detail and material permutation,” says architect Grant Kirkpatrick of KAA Design, who oversaw the project in tandem with his partner, Duan Tran. “To say that she simply collaborated with us does not adequately describe her dedication and influence on the design,” he adds.
