Coming Home: The Personal Rebuild and Final Reveal of Colin Wellman’s Palisades Residence
For any family, home is the sanctuary where life’s most meaningful moments unfold. But when the destructive Palisades wildfires tore through the hillside, that sanctuary was severely compromised for Colin Wellman and his family. The fire damaged the entire backside of the house—bringing intense heat and flame damage, a heavy tree crashing through the structure, a scorched backyard, and extensive interior flooding.
Today, after months of meticulous planning, craftsmanship, and dedication, the journey of recovery reaches its ultimate destination: the rebuild is officially complete, and the Wellman family is moving back home.
Constructed by the Spiegel Wellman Construction team, this project is a story of thoughtful design, intelligent building for fire safety, and the immense power of community collaboration on the Westside.
A Design Driven by Warmth and Modern Fire Resilience
Rebuilding in a hillside zone required a seamless balance between high-end architectural aesthetics and forward-thinking fire safety. The redesigned exterior now features Acre siding by Modern Mill—an innovative, sustainable material that delivers the rich, organic warmth of natural wood while offering the crucial fire-resistant performance demands of hillside living.
Inside, every room was curated to blend timeless coastal elegance with functional spaces built for everyday living and effortless entertaining. From custom textural wall finishes to architectural stone surfaces, the home has been completely reinvented from the ground up.
Honoring Our Vendor Collaborators
A rebuild of this caliber relies on extraordinary partners who share a commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Spiegel Wellman extends its deepest gratitude to the trusted vendors and collaborators who helped bring this home back to life:
-
Exterior Siding:ACRE by Modern Mill – Bringing fire-resilient, modern coastal warmth to the building envelope.
-
Windows & Doors: Marvin by Sepulveda Windows and Doors– Framing natural light and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions.
-
Kitchen Countertops: Module Marble – Providing stunning, durable stone surfaces for the heart of the home.
-
Architectural Elements & Fountains: Olive Ateliers – Curating character-rich fountains and a distinct 1000 year old kitchen sink.
-
Outdoor Landscape Features: Artlux Builders – Restoring and elevating the backyard outdoor living spaces.
-
Kitchen Appliances: Snyder Diamond – Equipping the kitchen with top-tier culinary technology.
-
Furniture & Rugs: Arhaus – Furnishing the interior with timeless, comfortable, and elegant pieces.
-
Interior Wall Finishes: Portola Paints – Crafting depth and ambiance using Roman Clay and custom paint tones.
-
Photography: @ambientlightca – Capturing the beauty and architectural detail of the final reveal.
The Campbell Wellman Take
Experiencing a fire loss firsthand gives our team a deeply personal understanding of what our neighbors are navigating across the Palisades. Rebuilding wasn't just about replacing walls and roofs—it was about creating a safer haven for our family's future.
Whether you are navigating a fire rebuild, looking to fire-harden an existing hillside residence, or designing a custom home from scratch, having a team that understands both the emotional weight and the technical intricacies of coastal construction makes all the difference. We are beyond grateful to be home, and we are ready to help our clients do the very same.
More photos on our Instagram post>>>