Inside the Peaceful Off-Season Malibu Retreat of NFL Player Ronnie Stanley
NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo chose a brand-new Greek villa—actually he bought two!—and Formula One racing driver Charles Leclerc recently scooped up a luxury condo in Miami. But for Ronnie Stanley, the 30-year-old offensive lineman for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, he headed to coastal California, where he’s created a tranquil retreat in the rolling hills above Malibu’s Zuma Beach that fits his personal style and taste.
The athlete, who hails from Las Vegas, worked closely alongside Malibu-based designer Sarah Solis to design the relaxed yet crisply clean-lined hideaway, which acts as his base during the off-season. Sought after for her organic approach to design that is influenced by Japanese wabi-sabi style, Solis sources furniture pieces that are oftentimes perfectly imperfect and that evoke emotion and personality via rich textures, high-quality materials, and bespoke designs.
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Solis was initially working with the home’s developer and says that while the bones of the residence were solidified before Stanley purchased the property, he was able to personalize every single detail, including the extra-tall doors and high built-in shelving that accommodate his 6’6” stature. Sumptuous wood textures, hand-trowled plasterwork, a neutral color palette, and an overall sense of modern tranquility dictated the home’s design. She emphasized how special it was to work with someone who not only performs at an elite athletic level but also has a serious eye for design and a keen appreciation for materiality and craftsmanship.
“The developer was building a contemporary home in Malibu Park with a beautiful unobstructed view,” Solis tells Robb Report. “We wanted to create these meditative moments so it feels like a restorative sanctuary.” The developer turned down several offers to purchase the property before Ronnie Stanley knocked on the door. It wasn’t long before the designer and the football player realized their design philosophies were intertwined. “It was,” Solis said, “a perfect match.”
The sun-filled great room is the heart of the home. With clearly delineated spaces for lounging, dining and cooking, the open-plan space is ideal for entertaining. The living area has a built-in wooden entertainment and storage unit; the kitchen is configured around a huge island with sand-colored striated marble on the countertops and backsplashes; and a wall of sliding glass doors peels open to a spacious ocean-view terrace.
As a bachelor, the primary suite was one of the focal points in the design process. Two walls of the primary bedroom feature sumptuous textured black plaster walls, while sliding glass doors frame a view of the ocean. “Dare I say it’s sultry?” Solis laughs. “It has a great masculine and feminine thing happening with the wood on the ceiling and the dark walls.” The additional three bedrooms feature full bathrooms and stunning ocean views. Finishes in the bathroom include unlacquered brass, which was specifically chosen to patina over time.
Stanley trains in Malibu during the off season, and aimed at relaxing and easing aching muscles are a sauna inside the home and outside, a pool designed by none other than legendary surfer Laird Hamilton, as well as a cold plunge.
Click here for more photos of Ronnie Stanley’s Malibu retreat.
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