Our latest project presented an exciting challenge: reimagining the kitchen of a historically significant residence in Hollywood’s prestigious Whitley Terrace district. This home, steeped in rich architectural heritage, required a delicate balance between honoring its past and meeting contemporary needs. The existing kitchen, last updated in the 1960s, had unfortunately suffered extensive damage due to a flooding incident. While this was initially disheartening, it opened up a world of possibilities for a fresh design approach. The water damage had rendered the original cabinetry and vintage appliances beyond salvage, giving us a clean slate to work with.
We made the decision to remove a peninsula that housed an extra sink. This peninsula, along with a tall pantry cabinet, had been creating a barrier in the space. By eliminating these elements, we instantly opened up the kitchen to the dining room, creating a more spacious feel and improving sight-lines. This new, open-concept design enhances the flow for entertaining and daily living alike
In place of the peninsula and the original island -almost entirely taken over by the old cooktop- we introduced a multifunctional island. This new feature serves dual purposes – providing additional workspace for meal preparation and casual seating for quick bites or entertaining. The island has become a natural gathering point, enhancing the social aspect of the kitchen. We then placed a LOFRA Italian range as focal point in the back wall.
To address the client’s desire for more light, we incorporated a layered lighting plan. This includes task lighting for work areas, ambient lighting for overall illumination, and decorative fixtures that add character while brightening the space.
Despite removing the tall pantry, we ensured ample storage through thoughtfully designed cabinetry. We utilized a mix of closed cabinets for essentials and open shelving for display, maintaining functionality without sacrificing style.
We chose materials that respect the home’s historical character while offering modern durability. This includes countertops that mimic the look of period-appropriate materials but offer superior resistance to stains and scratches. A warm butcher block for the tall portion of the island, durable Caesarstone for the prep counter opposite the range, and black soapstone for the perimeter counters. A light, neutral color scheme was selected to further enhance the sense of brightness and space, with accents of color in the island and the Zellige tile backsplash. This palette also provides a timeless backdrop that can easily adapt to changing decor preferences over time.
The result is a kitchen that feels both fresh and timeless. It meets the client’s aesthetic and functional needs while respecting the home’s architectural significance. By opening up the space and improving its connection to other areas of the home, we’ve created a kitchen that’s not just a place for meal preparation, but a true heart of the home – perfect for both everyday living and entertaining.
The Backyard Village consists of two separate interventions. First, the addition of a second-floor mezzanine for a home office/studio and then an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) over the garage. These two additions are located at opposite ends of the house and flank the backyard with its large terrace and raised swimming pool. Taking advantage of the verticality of these additions, we emphasized their form and texture to distinguish them from the main house like two separate, modern cottages.
To accomplish this, we cladded both additions with Shou Sugi Ban rain screens and added dark metal roofs and black metal doors and windows. These details contrast the existing all-white one-story stucco main house and its white doors and windows, creating a sense of yin and yang in their unity and opposition.
The raised deck wraps around one of the cottages and the new pool, creating two separate lounging areas: one more cozy and intimate next to a row of tall trees, while the other connects to the house’s interior when the multi-slide doors are open. Now, the open space between them has become an inviting expanse to dine, swim, or simply relax.
With the addition of only 600 square feet for the ADU and 435 sq. ft. for the Mezzanine, the interiors were designed to maximize the high ceilings, under-stair spaces, cross ventilation, views, and natural light. The main focus of the views from the large slider doors, balcony, and panoramic windows is the communal space, sky, and treetops. In the Backyard Village, these natural elements have become integrated into the life of the house.
Nestled amidst the serene ambiance of oak trees, horse pastures, and a lake on a stunning estate near Los Olivos, California, stands this guest house/pool house, thoughtfully designed for family gatherings, entertainment, and basking in the breathtaking surroundings.
An oasis of tranquility, this retreat atmosphere is manifested by its elegant and inviting interior. It features a coved ceiling, reclaimed brick and natural wood floors that exude rustic charm, as well as abundant windows that provide captivating views while flooding the space with natural light.
The exterior offers a picturesque setting for al fresco dining beneath a charming trellis, complete with a pizza oven and barbecue, making it the perfect setting for both relaxed family get-togethers and lavish poolside dinner parties.
A meticulous architectural transformation breathed new life into this residence in Hancock Park, shedding the constraints of its 1920s compartmentalized floor plan and ushering in an open, bright ambiance. The result: a home that now resonates with increased opportunities for family togetherness, a heightened appreciation of space, and, most significantly, an infusion of natural light.
The conversion of an outdoor covered terrace into a refined library and office space further strengthened the balance between the client’s professional and domestic life. In this redesign, extended sight lines were thoughtfully incorporated, emphasizing not only the harmonious flow between interior spaces but also the seamless connection with the home’s outdoor surroundings.
In this westside remodel, an emphasis was placed on infusing the existing small house with an airy, luminous addition. Two children’s bedrooms, a jack-n-jill bathroom, an upstairs laundry room and a family room were meticulously crafted in the new second floor to optimize natural light and maximize views within each area.
The strategic placement of the stairs adjacent to the kitchen, flanked by sliding doors, creates an expansive ambiance, seamlessly connecting the side exterior dining space, backyard, living room and kitchen all while avoiding any sense of obtrusion.
The primary bedroom, its ensuite bathroom, and the guest bathroom were revitalized and updated to complement the bright and modern aesthetic of the entire renovation.
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