Villa d’ Este, Los Angeles
A Mediterranean villa tucked away in the heart of the hustle and bustle of West Hollywood. This peaceful urban oasis demanded deference with its authentic Spanish Colonial details built in 1927 and its beautifully preserved courtyard with fountains and lush gardens that transports one from the Hollywood Hills to the rolling hills of Tuscany. The building had bones and history boasting many famous residents and was even used as the setting for Jack Lemmon’s provocative 1963 comedy, “Under the Yum Yum Tree”.
The two story multi-leveled townhouse we designed for our client paid homage to the home’s architectural heritage but also gave us room to play with the light, rich colors of the tiles and immaculately preserved details like the original fireplaces, curved archways, and restored hardwood floors. We went with an ethnic, modern theme as the space provided the perfect canvas to bring traditional and modern elements together, creating an eclectic environment that was both comfortable and stylish.
African sculptures and stools blended seamlessly with the lines and metals of the some of the mid-century modern pieces we used in the living area and bedrooms. An antique chest of drawers, antique dining table and chairs were mixed in to add depth and soul to the design scheme. We chose textured, and deep colored fabrics for the upholstery, accent pillows and drapes to warm up the rooms with the walls left white to showcase the client’s important art collection that included modern pieces by Wilfredo Lam, Jan Stussy and Purvis Young. The outdoor dining patio and conversation nook also gave us room to play, both bathed in natural light with walls painted in rich Mediterranean hues of terra cotta and blues that contributed to the serenity and charm of the home.