By Becky Harris | Houzz
This 1920s Spanish Revival home in the Hollywood Hills was in good condition but needed refreshing. “The clients are a young family from the East Coast that enjoy spending time on the West Coast,” says interior designer Laura Umansky. “They purchased the home with rental in mind, but will end up using it as a family vacation home in the future.”
Umansky left the original architecture intact and focused on updating the finishes, which included staining the original floors, painting the interior and exterior, and refurbishing much of the original hardware and woodwork. Another important design consideration was making the most of vast views that stretch from the Hollywood Hills to the Pacific Ocean. A neutral palette and rich textures update the design, enhance the original architecture and draw attention to the views. See Another Spanish Colonial Restoration in Hollywood.
Houzz at a Glance
- Location: Los Angeles
- Clients: A young East Coast family; the owners lease it but intend to eventually use it as a family vacation home.
- Size: Approximately 3,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 powder rooms
One of the most spectacular original architectural details that the new design honors is this beautiful wood ceiling, typical of the Spanish Revival style. “We fell in love with the ceiling and didn’t change a thing,” Umansky says.
“The client has a collection of vintage and found L.A.-themed posters. This is one from her collection, and you will see them throughout the home,” Umansky says. Find Vintage-Style Posters and Other Home Decor Products on Houzz.
Beneath the poster, a console table from Restoration Hardware is composed of wall-mounted hand-carved corbels and a glass shelf, playing off the home’s Spanish architectural details.
Umansky used a formal layout for the furnishings to fit the scale of this large living room. “We didn’t want to block the expansive views of L.A.,” she says. “The double sofa layout with colorful accent chairs was the right choice.”
Sofas: Oscar de la Renta for Century; Cocktail tables: Vanguard Furniture; Orange leather chairs: Palacek
The dining room has an elegant neutral palette and another rich texture story, which doesn’t distract from the fabulous views. “You can see the Chateau Marmont through the windows. It is literally a stone’s throw from this home,” Umansky says.
Lucky for the clients, the previous homeowners had recently updated the kitchen, which saved a lot of money. “We merely refreshed the finishes and added new, decorative lighting,” Umansky says.
The life of a Hollywood screenwriter inspired the look of this office, where an imposing desk anchors the room. “We call this the writer’s room because when we designed it we had the romantic notion that a brilliant Hollywood writer would find inspiration here,” Umansky says. “The circus ‘F’ is the homeowners’ monogram in lights.”
Desk: Restoration Hardware
The master bedroom has views from downtown to the ocean. “The bed looks toward downtown so the homeowner can see the city lights at night,” Umansky explains.
Another vintage L.A.-themed poster inspired the color palette in this guest room. Again, mixed textures create interest, this time in the form of metal nightstands and driftwood table lamps. Make a Statement With a Decorative Lamp – or Two.
Designer’s tip: In a guestroom, use small side tables like these as nightstands. Your guests won’t need the extra storage provided by bedside tables with drawers. This gives the room a light and relaxed feeling.
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