This 1920s Spanish Revival home in the Hollywood Hills was in great shape but wanted refreshing. “The customers are a young family from the East Coast that love spending time around the West Coast,” says interior designer Laura Umansky. “They bought the home with rental in your mind, but will end up using it as a family vacation home in the future.” Umansky abandoned the original structure intact and focused on upgrading the finishes, which included staining the first flooring, painting the interior and exterior, and refurbishing much of the first hardware and woodwork. Another important design consideration was creating the most of vast views that stretch from the Hollywood Hills into the Pacific Ocean. A neutral palette and rich textures update the plan, improve the original design and draw attention to the viewpoints.
in a Glance:
Location: Los Angeles, California
Clients: A young East Coast family; the owners lease it intend to eventually use it as a family vacation home.
Size: Approximately 3,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 powder rooms
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One of the most spectacular first architectural aspects the new layout honors is this gorgeous wood ceiling, typical of the Spanish Revival style. “We fell in love with all the ceiling and did not change a thing,” Umansky says.
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“The customer includes a set of classic and found L.A.-themed posters. This is just one out of her set, and you’ll see them throughout the home,” Umansky says.
Beneath the poster, a console table from Restoration Hardware is made up of wall-mounted hand-carved corbels and a glass shelf, playing off the house’s Spanish architectural information.
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“We found a comfortable lounge chair in the corner of this room using the ideal light. It’s a wonderful spot to spend a day with a book,” Umansky says.
“I enjoy mixing metals and substances. It makes life a lot more interesting!” She declares. Within this reading nook, the material palette comprises painted linen and bronze nailheads on the sofa seat, a galvanized metal drum table, a leather foot stool along with a gilded wood flooring lamp.
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Umansky utilized a formal layout for the furnishings to match the scale of this large living room. “We did not wish to block the expansive views of L.A.,” she says. “The double sofa layout with vibrant accent chairs was the ideal option.”
Sofas: Oscar de la Renta for Century; Cocktail tables: Vanguard Furniture; Orange leather chairs: Palacek
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The dining room has an elegant neutral palette and another rich feel narrative, which doesn’t divert from the fabulous views. “You can see the Chateau Marmont through the windows. It’s literally a stone’s throw from this home,” Umansky says.
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Lucky for the customers, the previous homeowners had recently updated the kitchen, which stored lots of money. “We merely refreshed the endings and additional new, decorative light,” Umansky says.
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The life of a Hollywood screenwriter inspired the appearance of this office, in which an imposing desk anchors the living room. “We call this author’s room because when we designed it we had the romantic notion that a brilliant Hollywood author would find inspiration,” Umansky says. “The circus ‘F’ is your homeowners’ monogram in lighting.”
Desk: Restoration Hardware
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The master bedroom has views from downtown to the ocean. “The bed looks toward downtown so that the homeowner can view the city lights at night,” Umansky explains.
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This accent wall, changed by means of a Maya Romanoff wallcovering, generates a relaxing lounge between the master bedroom and the master dressing room.
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Another classic L.A.-themed poster inspired the color palette in this guest room. Again, mixed textures produce interest, this time in the shape of metal nightstands and driftwood table lamps.
Designer’s suggestion: At a guestroom, utilize little side tables such as these as nightstands. Your visitors won’t need the extra storage given by bedside tables with drawers. This also gives the room a light and relaxed feeling.
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Printed drapes are an important part of the fabric palette in this bedroom, linking the walls, walls, doors and bedding together into a pleasing palette. “The casement windows are first, and the drapery softens the design only enough without concealing it,” Umansky describes.
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Guests welcome this comfortable spot for personal reading. “I really like this quiet moment in the home,” she says. It’s a smart way to tackle a bedroom.