Houzz Tour: Refreshed Spanish Colonial in the Hollywood Hills
Designer updates home in neutral tones while honoring original architecture and celebrating iconic L.A. views
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
| Share: |
|
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.
Houzz at a Glance:
Location: Los Angeles, California
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
Houzz at a Glance:
Location: Los Angeles, California
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
|
by Laura U, Inc.
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 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. |
by Laura U, Inc.
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
"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.
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.
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.
by Laura U, Inc.
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
"We located a comfy lounge chair in the corner of the room with the best light. It is a nice place to spend an afternoon with a book," Umansky says.
"I love mixing metals and materials. It makes life so much more interesting!" she declares. In this reading corner, the material palette includes waxed linen and bronze nailheads on the lounge chair, a galvanized metal drum table, a leather foot stool and a gilded wood floor lamp.
"I love mixing metals and materials. It makes life so much more interesting!" she declares. In this reading corner, the material palette includes waxed linen and bronze nailheads on the lounge chair, a galvanized metal drum table, a leather foot stool and a gilded wood floor lamp.
|
by Laura U, Inc.
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 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 |
|
by Laura U, Inc.
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 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. |
by Laura U, Inc.
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
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.
by Laura U, Inc.
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
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
Desk: Restoration Hardware
|
by Laura U, Inc.
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 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. |
by Laura U, Inc.
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
This accent wall, transformed by a Maya Romanoff wallcovering, creates a relaxing lounge between the master bedroom and the master dressing room.
|
by Laura U, Inc.
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 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. 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. |
by Laura U, Inc.
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Printed drapes are an important part of the textile palette in this bedroom, tying the walls, windows, doors and bedding together into a pleasing palette. "The casement windows are original, and the drapery softens the architecture just enough without hiding it," Umansky explains.
by Laura U, Inc.
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Guests welcome this comfortable spot for private reading. "I love this quiet moment in the home," she says. It's a smart way to address a bedroom corner.
Comments
Robbee Gee Love everything about this house..... Beautiful!........Inspiring!
6 months ago · Like
· 
1
1
Stevie It's just too pretty to rent!
6 months ago · Like
theg4 Would love to own this Hollywood Hills home!! I think my young family would fit in just right
6 months ago · Like
· 3
3
April Love_Fordham Any chance you have exterior view of this house and/or a floor plan!
6 months ago · Like
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Many beautiful furnishings, combined in a harmonious and refreshing way. I prefer the rooms with colors other than white.
6 months ago · Like
· 1
1
riconsd My comment just parrots Laurel's, great shapes, scale and layout, but darn when will be color put back into SoCal. Its been nearly 30 years since the pallet has extended beyond shades that could be found on a paint chip brochure titled "Whites". (I know it has but the rooms aren't being published.)
6 months ago · Like
· 2
2
judyg Absolutely perfect!
6 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER Beautiful, light and airy....nice choice of furniture!
6 months ago · Like
PaintColorHelp.com Dallas Quite lovely, but I'd like to have seen just a hint more color in some of the furnishings and decor. Against the white walls, any speck of vivid color would really sing.
6 months ago · Like
bbmama I could move in with nothing but my clothes on my back, and I would be "home". So perfect.
6 months ago · Like
j0dy Very well done! It's way too big for me but I like it.
6 months ago · Like
lizzyash Love everything but mostly I loved the way the decor wasn't over done...just perfect fab pieces.
6 months ago · Like
mcbriec This house does not feel at all like a mediterranean to me. To me, it has a very modernist neutral vibe which of course may be exactly what the owners wanted and they are the ultimate arbiters of what they want. But to my eye, the decor does not match the house and a mid-century modern would have been more suited to the way this house has been decorated.
6 months ago · Like
· 1
1
corvallis Fabulous house-the open beam wood ceiling in the living room is fabulous as are the neutral sophisticated tones carried throughout the interior elements.
6 months ago · Like
yomarg1 If they wanted to emphasize the view in the living room, why are the orange chairs facing IN ???
5 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Nov. 12, 2012.
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
Find Local Pros by Category:
Architects & Designers · Carpet and Flooring · Closet & Home Storage Designers · Design-build Firms · Fireplaces · General Contractors · Home Media Design & Installation · Interior Designers & Decorators · Kitchen & Bath Designers · Landscape Architects & Designers · Landscape Contractors · Specialty Contractors · Tile, Stone & Countertops
Find Local Pros by Metro Area:
Atlanta · Austin · Baltimore · Boston · Chicago · Dallas · Dc Metro · Denver · Detroit · Hawaii · Houston · Las Vegas · Los Angeles · Miami · Minneapolis · Nashville · New Orleans · New York · Philadelphia · Phoenix · Portland · Salt Lake City · San Diego · San Francisco · Seattle · St Louis
