Classic Meets Contemporary: A Seamless E1 Lift Integration in Santa Monica

Set in the heart of Santa Monica, California, this newly constructed home offers the perfect blend of timeless architecture and modern convenience. While the home honours classic design principles through moulded timber details, traditional materials, and elegant proportions, it also embraces forward-thinking features for everyday comfort. Among these is a subtle yet sophisticated addition: a 2-stop E1 home lift from Lift Shop, seamlessly integrated into the residence’s central circulation zone.

From the outset, the project was a masterclass in precision. The homeowners, working closely with their architect and interior designer, had a clear vision: incorporate a residential lift elevator that delivered all the function of a modern vertical access solution, without interrupting the cohesive aesthetic of the home. The result is a beautifully integrated lift that disappears into the environment—until needed—and elevates the overall user experience.

Lift Shop was engaged during the early design phase to ensure the lift would complement, not compete with, the home’s detailed interior architecture. The client required:

• A visually discreet lift that matched adjacent doorways
• Custom finishes that reflected traditional styling with a modern core
• Full mirror walls to enhance light and space perception inside the cabin
• Clean, modern function on the inside with warm, character-filled exteriors

The Lift Shop team collaborated closely with the builder and interior designer to deliver an E1 configuration that ticked every box—both functionally and aesthetically.

The installed lift is a 2-stop E1 model from the E Series collection, designed for quiet performance and rich visual customisation. The project required a high level of coordination and millimetre-perfect execution, with each material carefully selected to align with the home’s interior scheme.

Interior and Exterior Features:

• Doors: Aluminium doors fitted with full-size aluminium infill panels on the interior for a sleek, modern look; external door faces were clad in moulded timber veneer and outfitted with hardware that matched other interior doors throughout the home
• Cabin Walls: All three walls finished with full-height mirrors to maximise light and reflect surrounding details
• Profiles: Brushed stainless steel for subtle elegance and durability
• Flooring: Matching tile to the adjacent hallways for uninterrupted visual flow

This level of finish ensures the lift feels like an architectural element—not a mechanical afterthought. The domestic lift enhances functionality, but also respects the character of the house, offering a refined experience from every angle.

Lift Configuration:

• Model: E1
• Stops: 2
• Configuration: Single entry
• Shaft: Provided by builder, integrated into central corridor
• Travel: Sized to comfortably span two residential floors

Thanks to the E1’s flexible customisation, the Lift Shop team was able to match both the aesthetic and dimensional requirements set by the design team and client. The result is a quiet, reliable, energy-efficient lift system built for daily use—without ever sacrificing style.

One of the standout aspects of this project is the level of visual harmony achieved. By using the same hallway tile inside the lift cabin, the transition from one space to the next feels uninterrupted. The mirrored walls expand the perceived size of the cabin while bouncing ambient light through the space—enhancing both comfort and beauty.

The external timber-clad doors make the lift indistinguishable from the other room entrances. It was essential to the client that visitors wouldn’t immediately recognise it as an elevator, but instead as a seamless part of the home’s architectural rhythm.