“I wanted to create something that hadn’t been done before while remaining timeless and luxurious,” says Rob Diaz, architect and designer of today’s epic home tour. It is a four-bedroom, five-bathroom, double A-frame home plus guest house in Studio City, CA that is rich with old-world charm yet carries a striking freshness due to the contemporary design. Fans of classic European-inspired interiors will adore this home, and the bright, airy California casual influence is just what we need to feast our eyes on while weathering this literal storm here in California. Let’s jump right in.
The exterior evokes a laid-back yet luxurious feel with the many arches, smooth stucco finish, and natural wood elements. It is warm and inviting, which is not unlike the interior of the home as you will soon see.
Regarding the style of the home, Rob informed me his vision was to create “a modern take on a French Chateau-style home and feature a mix of old and new design elements. The reclaimed French-tiled roof, cobbled decking, and vintage shutters and pots are beautifully juxtaposed with the copper gutters, louvered custom garage doors, and off-white Santa Barbara clay walls.“
In the living room, you can sense the French Chataeu influence through the double-arched windows, neutral color palette, and the simple yet elegant styling. Sarah Brady, founder of The Platform Experiment, styled the home and knew she wanted to layer in a ton of awesome vintage pieces throughout the home. “I always start with vintage pieces,” she says. “I know this will be my grounding moment – the vintage piece tells the story and can dictate the rest of the room. The vintage element can often feel architectural in a space and once it has found its place in a room, the simpler modern elements are easy to build around it.”
The incredible 4-globe geometric light fixtures are by Allied Maker, and fit the space perfectly while adding a touch of glamor to the room. But Sarah’s favorite decor pieces here are the relic vessel on the coffee table and the vintage painting over the fireplace. They add just the right dose of old-world charm so this room feels layered, warm, and well-rounded.
The checkered area rug provides a modern flair that pairs so well with all of the contemporary architectural elements. This room evokes an elevated yet lived-in feel and the carefully curated pieces make the room feel anything but predictable. Did you notice the small art piece on the left wall? Its small scale and low placement are quite unexpected, which gives off a playful vibe. I also love the muted green velvet chair for a pop of color, and the vintage brown leather chair adds soul and warmth.
The living room opens up to the backyard via glass doors where the landscape lends to a relaxing, vacation-like ambiance equipped with a luxurious pool and guest house (more on that below).
When I first saw the photos of this home, I was immediately struck by the soft yet eye-catching wall color and texture throughout. Rob explained that the entire home features hand-applied clay from Clayworks USA which is why the walls in each room have a lovely, textural finish. The texture is smooth matte stucco-like material and gives the home warmth, movement, and of course, added visual interest.
The formal dining area accentuates the relaxed European vibe and is furnished with a mix of incredible vintage and modern pieces. We love the wicker floor lamp and boucle loveseat which present fun textures, and the brutalist vintage dining chairs from Amsterdam Modern are impossible to ignore. The shape of the chairs put forward a sculptural element that elevates the room effortlessly. The dark rich tone of the chairs paired with the light wood table adds visual interest while the vintage rug grounds the space. For some movement and a hint of whimsy, the stool does the trick and really rounds out the room. This is what dining room dreams are made of, folks.
The kitchen is stunning yet understated, warm, and inviting which is no easy feat. The floor-to-ceiling cabinetry adds to this effect and of course, provides ample storage. I asked Rob who the maker of the cabinetry was and he explained, “The kitchen cabinetry was custom-made by our team’s in-house cabinet maker, and we used white oak cabinets throughout. Overall, we wanted to go for an understated, warm, and approachable feel for the kitchen.“
Up close, the cabinetry is even more breathtaking and we love the choice to include a subtle grid design on the lower drawers. This breaks up the wood and creates a tile-like effect which is very cool and unexpected.
Rob wanted the kitchen to feel seamlessly connected to the rest of the home, which is accomplished through the white oak cabinetry, matte black hardware, and neutral countertops. For a modern element and to keep the kitchen feeling open, a large steel Euroline window divides the primary kitchen area from the service kitchen.
In addition to stunning cabinetry and architectural choices, the minimal styling drives the design home. Note the tiny stool in the corner that is extremely charming and whimsical, and the various vessels that provide a natural, organic aesthetic.
In the powder room, Rob selected two large, vintage Italian sconces and paired them with a classic Gio Ponti mirror and an old limestone sink trough. I love that they chose to go with black tile here, which provides a stark contrast to the neutral colors and warm tones throughout the home. We always say that powder bathrooms are a great place to experiment with color or pattern and make design risks, and this is a great example of that.
The upstairs landing has a ton of beautiful natural light due to the large skylight and glass door that leads to the balcony. I love that they added light curtains over the door, which provides movement and a bit of privacy. Also, the double vintage wooden chairs are awesome and add a lot of character.
In the primary bathroom, the custom white oak vanity is accompanied by a custom marble countertop/backsplash and a large-scale arched mirror. I love that the mirror shape makes a statement but is not loud or overbearing, which parallels the design throughout the home. It gives this bathroom a very relaxing yet sophisticated feel.
Let’s talk about those vanity legs. The matte black finish is very striking but the shape is of course what I love most. Breaking up the peg legs with circular knobs just gives this vanity an edge that contrasts the minimal elements throughout.
Opposite the bathroom vanity, a tiny bulb light over the free-standing tub is all this wall needs. I LOVE this choice and think it creates such a sophisticated yet unexpected look that is extremely cool and modern.
Outside the bathroom, there is this quaint reading nook equipped with a cushioned bench and storage unit. I love how they chose to furnish this small space so it can be used rather than let it become dead space.
I am sure you have noticed by now that the lighting choices throughout the home are superb, so I had to ask Rob how he chose the lighting in a home of this size. He explained, “When it comes to lighting selection, I love using a mix of classic lighting and pieces with a twist of modern design. I picked several pieces from Apparatus Studio and RW Guild in the main living areas, but I felt that in the guest quarters, it was important to find the right scale and classic silhouettes for those spaces.”
In the above bedroom, the choice to go with a sculptural multi-bulb pendant light accentuates the fresh modern style but is still quite understated so it pairs well with the vintage furnishings and decor.
This room is a prime example of how Rob and Sarah nailed the mixing of old and new elements. The pendant light is modern and sculptural and is grounded by the two wooden vintage chairs. The windows are contemporary and the walls and vintage oil painting above the bed provide a warm, old-world aesthetic. Finally, the color palette is driven home with the bedding and that incredible art piece above. It is all SO good and I would die for those vintage chairs.
When it came to styling, Sarah truly felt led by the beauty of each room. The textured walls, the elegant yet edgy lighting, and the natural sunlight streaming in from all the windows created a beautiful backdrop for her to layer decor that would only emphasize the elegance of the home.
I love how in this bedroom she took a different approach with white bedding and added pops of color with the blanket and rug, then included vintage furniture for charm and character. And again, a small-scale art piece is hung low on the wall which will always be one of our favorite unexpected styling choices.
More color comes into play in this bathroom with floor-to-ceiling blue zellige tile and Spanish-style floor tile. As is always the case with zellige tile, the color and texture varies tile to tile, creating a nuanced look. But what is perhaps most striking here is the choice to go with a brass wall-mounted faucet, rather than matte black which is what we have seen throughout the home. It creates a luxe look that is really striking.
Here we have the architect’s favorite room in the home and it’s not hard to understand why. It is a den that has its own courtyard and bar area and has its own style that feels separate from the home. “The space feels tucked in, serene, and feels like a private retreat from the rest of home.” says Rob. “The mix of the oak, green ceiling, and Apparatus downlights, which flood perfectly are my favorite design elements of this space. “
Natural stone flooring in this bathroom creates an organic aesthetic (and perhaps it is worth mentioning that stone flooring might just be another bathroom trend for 2023??). I just love the stone paired with the light blue subway tile and would love to see this trend take off.
Over the sink, a vintage wood mirror adds warmth that contrasts with the cool tone of the tile, and the vintage micro sconce adds character and depth to the space.
Quite unsurprisingly, the backyard is equally luxurious as the interior. The landscape was also done by Rob Diaz so there is an apparent continuity between the exterior and interior. I imagine you feel drawn to the outdoors when in the home, especially with the large windows on both floors that I am sure will beckon you outside.
On the last stop of the tour, we have this colorful guesthouse that lives poolside. I love that the design feels very different from the interior of the home but still carries the same elements. The green walls and wood ceiling are grounding and calming and give off a sort of outdoorsy, NorCal aura. But overall, the decor is neutral and minimal, and again strikes the perfect balance between old and new.
To end our tour, we have this kitchenette that is fully clad with beautiful oak wood. The wood and matte black finishes are reminiscent of the kitchen in the main house, which creates a lovely continuity between the two houses. The leaning modern art piece is just the styling moment this space needed to accentuate the playful, sophisticated, modern meets old-world style that Rob Diaz and Sarah Brady are clearly experts at achieving.
*Design by Rob Diaz Design & Anastasia Ratia, Builder: Diaz + Alexander Studio
**Styled by Sarah Brady of The Platform Experiment
***Photos by Virtually Here Studios & LA Light Photo
Good taste and seemingly no budget results in a truly beautiful home. I wish I could take more inspiration from it, but I mostly see $$$$.
Agree. It’s pretty but so boring.
My house is literally the guest house.
LMBO! Yes! I was lost when it said they had a “primary kitchen” and a “service kitchen.”
Given that this is basically a flip house, I’m so curious who they imagined the buyer would be that they would build two kitchens like this, especially when the service kitchen doesn’t have a door that closes to contain either smell or sound, and the giant window certainly affords no privacy from staff.
Isn’t a “service kitchen” just another name for a butlers pantry, which usually none gets upset about.
I watched some real estate show where they claimed this was very common among luxury homes!
Agree. I go to Arch Digest when I want to see luxury mansions, but come to EHD for homes with a little more heart. Emily’s farmhouse is out of my budget, but there are ideas I can borrow and I learn a lot from her process. But just seeing a house like this created by a developer rings a little hollow for me.
Especially when people are getting laid off like crazy right now, and we’re all kind of unsure of what the next few months, let alone year, might look like recessionwise. It’s like, “enjoy this opulent wealth on display while you figure out some more side gigs to cover the impact of inflation.”
Sometimes I really wish EHD would think more about context in terms of the content they put out.
The house has some really beautiful design choices ! I agree that the apparent texture of the walls gives it a great vibe. Yet I think I have been reading EHD for too long because all I think about is : who is going to clean those windows ?? Is it practical ? And regarding the semi-circular mirror in the bathroom : how is it lit ? Can you see your face correctly ? Or is it weirdly shadowed ?
🤣
Who is going to clean this, it’s what i always think, lol
Obviously the help will clean the house. i love seeing homes like this and have no problem with their budget. Who cares? Unlike some of the luxury houses I’ve see in AD for instance, to me this seems homey and livable. For that matter Emily’s budget is way out of sight for me too. I’m not understanding all the griping.. Just sayin’, however to each his own.
Anyone who can afford to live here can afford a whole team of maids to clean it.
Beautiful and enjoyed the descriptions! I’m pretty sure those sconces in the powder room are not vintage – they’re the Tassel sconce by Apparatus https://apparatusstudio.com/collections/lighting/products/tassel-1-sconce
4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms – I am going to guess that Americans don’t need to go to the bathroom or shower three times as much as Europeans and that it’s entirely a status thing which is too bad in terms of environmental footprint. Also, European castles and old homes typically are underequiped with bathrooms . My grandparents’ 2000 sq feet home only had one bathroom and one toilet and no one ever peed on themselves.
This is a 6200 square foot $8.5 million home. It better have a lot of bathrooms!
Thank you! In this stratosphere whomever occupies the bedrooms surely should have their own bathroom. Guests, children, I would think it would be graciously expected.
Anyone raising children to expect they’re provided their own bathrooms needs to reconsider their values ; anyone not able to walk a few meters to a shared bathroom needs to chill (or is incontinent)
It’s an expensive house for millionaires. In such a big house you want bathrooms close to each bedroom and perhaps close to living rooms. You don’t want to walk on the other side of that house …Other than that I won’t defend this house because I don’t think it’s good for the environment either.
It’s a luxury home. Most Americans do not live this way.
It is not about walking a few metres or showering multiple times. It depends on the number of people living in the house. My grandparents’ home had just one bathroom as well and guess what- 10 people lived in the house, and people would have to wake up at 4AM so that everyone could finish taking a bath and get to school/college/work on time. Maybe a few extra hours of sleep for everyone and how that affects their physical and mental well being is well worth the few extra bathrooms. It is not always a status symbol.
Can’t relate to this house at all. It feels like a design museum rather than a space lived in by real people. It’s too perfectly curated.
My first thought was, Is this dripping with soul? So much of it feels like a hotel or a conference space or something. It’s…fine? On trend? Expensive-looking? But actually not special or inviting in any real way. I can’t imagine actually wanting to live there.
Yes, not “dripping with soul”, but calm nonetheless.
Came here to say this! I saw no soul, just very trendy and extremely expensive nothingness. Maybe if there was some interesting art? I am also generally turned off by so much “neutral” – give me a little color! And I am an old lady because all I could think of with the dining room and kitchen stools was how hard and uncomfortable they looked. And I really disliked the front of the house. That look will be sooo dated in just a few years.
It might help to remember that the house is listed on the market and has been staged to sell, so it has likely been depersonalized, which is why it might not feel as inviting or like people actually live there right now. But I definitely see soul and personality here — in the vintage pieces, in some of the unusual design choices, and even in the more elemental things, like the way the light flows so beautifully throughout the home. That doesn’t just happen — someone made a strategic decision when designing this home to pay attention to stuff like that. All of that contributes to the sense of calmness and cheeriness and even moments of quiet playfulness or whimsy in this house. Soul and personality doesn’t have to be restricted to historical homes; contemporary homes have their own character too, and I think this is beautifully done.
I’d love to live there without any changes. So this house is Uber expensive and this much SQ ft still has a lot of stuff spread out. Perhaps if the stuff were smaller and in a 1500 SQ ft home the home would feel more soulful and cluttered to you. A big home allows the space for galleries and art to be appreciated more. Some art requires to take a step back to appreciate. Yeah it might feel like a gallery, but I like it. I like that serenity as a backdrop for my life, my imagination and creativity. Also this home was staged for the shoot. Stylist come and hide things, or add their own. You don’t have to like that style. But some people do and can still find a lot of soul. I personally don’t find soul in clutter. I get used to the things I buy and I take a long time to buy everything, but I don’t collect many memorabilia or sentimental things. I do have a few unique coins, some pictures made by friends, but that’s all.
it seems people define “soul” differently. I would not conflate it with clutter.
Would a fair definition of soul, as applied to decorating/style, be that ones personality is conveyed through it? And if that is an acceptable definition, there -is- some personality in this decor, whether we identify with that personality or not.
I can agree with that Monica. Everyone will be drawn to something else and they will define soul as something else. There are people out there who don’t value esthetics at all, yet they will be quick to judge a home like that as ugly. They might not appreciate someone’s fine art, because it’s not personable, but they will like their baseball memorabilia and stuff like that. That’s fine. Everyone is different. This home definitively speaks to me.
Agreed. I am amzed at so much bashing!
Lovely! So much serenity! I don’t have much stuff and like small spaces, so am especially drawn to the guesthouse.
I have been looking and looking for doors like the black iron/steel ones in all these modern california homes. Do they tell you their door supplier? I’ve found Pinkys–Is there any other options, looking to compare pricing.
I’m in Europe so I can’t recommend specific North American suppliers but these types of doors are originally manufactured by Crittal where I am, though you can get imitation Crittal-style doors in other places now too.
Or Crittall even
Where are you? Steel doesn’t work in a lot of climates. Marvin’s Signature Modern collection has a similar look https://www.marvin.com/products/collections/signature/modern/
american southeast.
The interior window in the kitchen is by Euroline and I believe they used them for the rest windows and doors too https://www.eurolinesteelwindows.com/
eek lead time is up to 40 weeks!
Milgard makes a similar looking door and window option. I’ve used them in 2 different projects. Also, a friend recently recommended a company called “lion iron doors” Lovely inventory but I prefer Milgards lifetime warantee. I’m in California.
We bought our pantry doors from Pinky’s and have been really happy with them. We live in San Francisco, so did most of our interactions with them via phone and email. I love them, so pretty in our kitchen.
Absolutely stunning. Harmony throughout. Adore the use of light.
A lovely, calm home. It exudes a chill vibe.😊
I really like how the vintage pieces ‘drive’ the design process.
.
Not a “double A-frame home” however. Far from it – it simply has dual roof pitches on the upper level:
“An A-frame house or other A-frame building is an architectural house or building style featuring steeply-angled sides (roofline) that usually begin at or near the foundation line, and meet at the top in the shape of the letter A.”
It’s important to use the correct terms in a design blog.
It was a double a frame home. It still is a double a frame, despite the exterior reno that makes it look boxier and more modern. A tudor is still a tudor, a craftsman is still a craftsman, etc. despite the exterior updates. Get off your high horse and check google before getting all sanctimonious. I’m so tired of your constant incorrect corrections in these comments.
No, it’s a twin gable home.
Yeah, sure – now. I am telling you that this was a renovation on a double a frame. Have you seen the befores?
This home has appeared in many publications. It is described in one as “a run-down farmhouse encompassed 1,666 square feet of small, cramped, and dated rooms.” before the remodel.
Doesn’t sound like an a-frame.
I enjoy the comments here, I may or may not agree with what I read, but I do remember growing up hearing “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
I’m not talking about the constructive criticism that is a part of this blog, and so educational, but personal attacks on commenters.
peace ✌️
As you say, this home has been well publicized and if you google the address this is definitely the home pre-demolition as you can see the neighbor’s chimney is the same and it is definitely not an A-frame.
This home already felt soulless, despite the luxury, and now I am extra sad after seeing the befores. I know they were in need of repair but wow that backyard pool and ivy-covered guest houses are some beauties. I know it’s the market out there but I so wish there was more an appetite for loving restoration and appreciation of historical features vs modern flips.
N.o.t. my opinion, Ally.
https://www.google.com/search?q=a+frame+home+definition&client=tablet-android-samsung-rev2&ei=AN–Y9y2C8iLseMPsdyTiAw&oq=a+frame+home+definition&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAMyCAghEKABEMMEOgoIABBHENYEELADOgYIABAHEB46CQgAEAcQHhDxBDoNCAAQCBAHEB4QDxDxBDoICAAQCBAHEB46BQgAEIYDOgoIIRCgARDDBBAKSgQIQRgAUN8MWIsYYL8caAFwAHgAgAGCAogBwwiSAQUwLjEuNJgBAKABAcgBCMABAQ&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp
Let me ’em, let me at e’m! Love ya’, Rusty. I haven’t commented this much in a long time. LOL
Yes! So so calm in there! I usually don’t like cold luxury homes that feel like nobody lives there. But this one isn’t that to me. I love how calm it feels. I think now that I’m older and my brain is always running (okay, 40s, not old, but not young), I love a calm serene uncluttered space. There’s lots of beautiful elements and some really cool art and some gorgeous vintage furniture pieces, so it doesn’t feel soulless. Plus, I get that it’s staged to sell, so of course it doesn’t feel super specific to a person/family yet.
This was such a beautiful, clean, breath of fresh air. I know maximalism and color is where a lot of people’s hearts are, but I find that look so claustrophobic and stressful. This home is so visually serene and peaceful that I can literally feel my blood pressure dropping when I look at the photos. And I disagree with those who say this kind of style doesn’t have soul. I find you can actually appreciate the specialness of every object and design feature because it isn’t as cluttered as some other homes done in different styles.
I agree. I love this style, and certainly I’m trying to approach this in my home. I grew up in Eastern Europe where simple and rectangular furniture were the norm at the time (80s, 90s), and I continue to gravitate towards that style. Of course I prefer more refined and real woods to what was available then. But the boxy shapes, curtains/sheers, upholstery, tall furniture has a lot of the same feel. That style allows more patterns and wallpapers too. And even at that time someone would buy wool covers for their sofas from private makers. So to some extent styles mixed. And furniture doesn’t have to be all build in or be modular furniture either. Just the general shapes are similar without the added curves or heaviness that would not fit into a smaller home. So I might have a boxy credenza with wide shelves above. And of course the scale for my home needs to be smaller and I might choose other pieces to approximate those that are pictured, but the feeling is very similar (to me at least).
All that to say that this style can be really serene and harmonious, but also allows incorporating some antiques and objects that are important to the homeowners
Yes i often find this type of home cold or sterile. Not so for me. It has Soul for me even though I could never afford it and don’t style my own place like it. Definitely enjoy it.
I feel the same way. I think the beautiful vintage furniture pieces + beautiful art + wood + tile (wooowheee! that black bathroom tile!) give it beauty and soul, but it’s still so uncluttered and serene. I’m usually into lots of colors, but these neutrals are beautiful and calming. i’m starting to gravitate more towards that feeling myself for my home.
Gorgeous, all of it. Can you tell us a little about the flooring? It’s incredible.
The flooring is by Madera! https://www.maderasurfaces.com/ I know, it is STUNNING.
Wow! Anyone have a source on those delicious circular pillows in the den (looks like a green geometric line pattern fabric perhaps)?
I was waiting for the author to explain the interior window behind the range…. is that the dining room behind?
ah, i see it now: For a modern element and to keep the kitchen feeling open, a large steel Euroline window divides the primary kitchen area from the service kitchen.
very interesting…. it seems that window is for pure aesthetics, which I can appreciate. I just wish we couldve seen the service kitchen as well!
I’m not sure why they didn’t include this lovely video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXT1ostodpk&ab_channel=RobertDiaz
and this one gets a bit more into the nitty gritty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Co5RGx2jCE&ab_channel=LivinginOC%7CGarrettGahn
I thought it was funny the “service kitchen” was mentioned so casually, as if everyone has one.
Its probably like the large butler’s pantry Shea McGee did on the first episode of Season 4 that just came out in Dream Home Makeover.
I found photos (while rummaging around on the linked Diaz + Alexander website) of the service kitchen (because I was curious) and it’s quite lovely too with a window that visually lines up with the window dividing both kitchens.
https://www.diazalexanderstudio.com/mary-ellen/9lpb42dr18xd2tv0soxt0vqtihrc62
https://www.diazalexanderstudio.com/mary-ellen/cnxoktu0tsi463otbkvuz0zw58q6f0
Usually a service or caterer’s kitchen is more utilitarian and hidden so it makes me think the the main kitchen is more for show rather than more robust cooking.
It’s a very calm, beautiful house, but I think it needs a lot more art on the walls, especially larger scale art. That primary bath wall that the tub is along really needed a substantial painting or something – the “button” art is not working for me at all, it’s a little like a “Emperors New Clothes” joke.
Lol, the jokes on me, that “button” art is a sconce! 🙂
https://www.diazalexanderstudio.com/mary-ellen/h7m125ean8cs1v7d4gqmqudtpgwwb2
But I think two sconces flanking a large painting (oil or acrylic – no glass!) would be a better choice.
A large painting would then be reflected in the mirror over the dual sinks much better than what looks to be a blank, empty wall.
https://www.diazalexanderstudio.com/mary-ellen/9h3ohn4xxziiama67oxn2ej0kzkf6w
https://www.diazalexanderstudio.com/mary-ellen/qr6rr2dk8cbiij4e53ybz48rn92160
Lots more room photos and angles on the designer’s website of this beautiful home!
https://www.diazalexanderstudio.com/mary-ellen/mary-ellen
Any idea what plant the hedge around the backyard is? I’m in the market and this one looks SO lush!
I need to find my reading glasses to peer closer, but have you considered Laurel or California privet? And do you know your planting zone? Arborvitae can be over-used (and overly pruned) where I live in the northeast, but a neighbor has a beautiful hedge of the Green Giant variety
I’m in zone 10a. I do really like CA privet. I’ll have to see if it’s good for my zone.
Lilly-pilly makes a great, lush hedge.
There are loads of cultivars to choose from.
I have Goodbye Neighbour, Heritage and Resilience – all good, disease resistant with glossy leaves.
Rusty i would love to see your place and you for that matter. Are you on any other social Media? I think perhaps not but would love to meet you there. I love your typing! :))
Aaaw, Vicki, thank you. 😊
I’ve long toyed with the idea of a newsletter or something since I escaped domestic abuse.
I’m still a bit tangled in lrgal gumph to take that on … but down the track? Maybe.😏
I often wish I could write a monthly or bi-monthly post here, to show ways to make a difference to the environment in everyday life as we all go about leading our normal, daily lives.
It’s the small choices we make that stack up to make the difference.
Ooooh, I would like that. Environmentalism is my jam. I’d totally help you with that!
thabks for responding. (hah i’ll leave the typo, Have you put that idea to Emily? Sounds great. I’ve been on your trauma journey, or I should say was following as you pushed your way through and applauded all of it. been there done that though many years have passed since,. I just saw that you have a post makeover and I’m on the run to take a look. Happiest of New Year’s!
Did you read my guest makeover EHD blog post?
https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/?s=Rusty+makeover
How did I miss this? Looks so great and I know how this can brighten an aching heart. good job, Rusty!
I loved it! I like to visit the blog to find inspiration — I’ll never have a million dollar home, but when they are so well done — you can carry over ideas, ambiance and moods into your own space. Timeless! Thanks for finding this one to share with us ☺️
I agree. You can carry over this same feel to a smaller house for sure. Minimalism + neutrals + good art + lots of built ins to hide clutter + wood + pretty tiles. I will never have a luxury home, nor do i want one really (too much to clean anyway), but you can definitely use this as inspo.
This home is truly stunning. The architects and designers tried to break the mold and introduce a host of new ideas that manage to somehow work seamlessly together in unexpected ways. The clay walls (Spanish) with the humongous French doors, the unexpectedly traditional furniture silhouettes with all the linens, the art-deco-inspired light fixtures and windows with the inset oak drawers evoking traditional kitchens. They swapped the white/grey/blue palette for a moody mix of sand, sage, dusty peach and black. This house makes a clear and consistent proposition for future style. This is why I would like to respond to the negative comments. You may love it or you may hate it, this is a matter of taste; but not recognizing the level of design choices involved seems a little passive-aggressive. This is how I understood the phrase “dripping with soul”: making a new proposal for redefining California casual. For years and years we have seen spanish/mediterranean homes in California being given renovations and facelifts that repeat the same boring canon: all white walls, grey or grey/blue moroccan tiles, fluffy sofas, beni ourain rugs, fun wallpapers in small bathrooms. It’s great, it works, and I’m so over it. I am also… Read more »
Bravo! I was amazed that people immediately started throwing shade at this home. Is it large? Yes, but there are many homes that are bigger and more expensive. If the home was 1500 square feet with a similar esthetic it would still be quite lovely. It is a serene home from which people can take inspiration. I do not understand why so many comments are so churlish.
I think the idea is that excess consumption isn’t aspirational. I personally enjoy the esthetic, but I did giggle a bit at the reference to the home “minimalist” style… when we’re talking 6 bathrooms and, what? 3 kitchens? Not exactly a “minimalist” ethos lol.
Also, I shuddered at the gas range with apparently no hood or venting?? Even assuming there’s a downdraft hidden somewhere… yikes.
Double Bravo!
Love love love Platform Experiment and I adore this house! Every room is beautiful and the bathrooms are to die for. The tiling is perfect, each bathroom is different yet cohesive to the house. The oak walls in the den make me wish EHD did not paint the custom wood paneling in her own house.
I don’t mind the indoor design, minus those dildo looking lights on the den ceiling, but the front view is not great. The mixed wood is giving me DIY pallet wood vibes and I absolutely hate front facing garages. I know they tried to hide them, but it just accentuates American car culture.
I agree about the front view. I don’t understand the point of that bizarrely low-proportioned fence and gate. Particularly when there is that giant window that goes to the floor in the first floor bedroom.
Many cities don’t allow high fences in front yards? Sample Los Angeles code: Fences and walls within a required front yard shall not exceed three and one-half feet in height.
Exactly. The inside and back yard is tasteful and hits all the standard notes for a luxury developer grade flip house that you can project your own style onto, but oh the front. Yikes!
I love the exterior.
does anyone have a link to the listing?
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4137-Mary-Ellen-Ave-Studio-City-CA-91604/20033023_zpid/
Beautiful, but there were many moments when I wondered how to “use” many of the design choices. Maybe its because I live in a much smaller house, but I want all my spaces to be functional, not just beautiful. Two hard, uncomfortable-looking vintage chairs in the bedroom? No thanks, I’d rather have a cozy upholstered chair to snuggle up in. Same for hallway chairs – who will ever sit in those? And of COURSE everyone needs a loveseat in the dining room for when you need to rest between courses. Don’t even get me started on a “show kitchen” and a “service kitchen.” These people clearly do not live like me. I did like the bathroom finish choices though, minus the black bathroom.
I was thinking the same thing about that dining room sofa! About half the sitting areas I saw seemed like they would be awkward to actually use… which seems like a pretty important part of interior design. I loved the *palette*, but the *design* struck me as odd.
I was thinking the same thing about the bathroom “lights” – the smallest sconces known to man in a place where you most need the light. Maybe the functional ones were not in the photos but whoa boy.
I think this is lovely. I definitely feel a laid back California lifestyle. There are many interesting design moments and throughout. I love the doors and windows, but I don’t know how practical they would be in a harsher climate or in an urban neighborhood. It’s nice to see something different and new even though it is a bit too serene for me.
This home is lovely, if not to my taste. I was enjoying scrolling though someone else’s style until I came to the phrase “service kitchen”, and felt my whole head explode.
Look, if you don’t cook, or if you are a millionaire who hires others to cook- fine. But there is something infuriatingly disingenuous about putting in a kitchen just for show and hiding the functional kitchen. Just skip the kitchen! Put in a “snacking pantry” with the things you actually use, and don’t bother with a whole set up that is just there to be looked at. Clearly, I’m not the target audience, but UGH.
Yes – when what is called a Guest House has a Guest House in back, I think the whole thing has jumped the shark.
I’m i need of a curtain rod like the one in the kitchen photos. I have a huge wall of glass and a sliding glass door in my 60′ mid mod Nor Cal home. I haven’t been able to find anything that would look good and easily draw curtains along such a long wall of glass (15ft) A source or any other recommendations would be great!
Kirsch Designer Metals makes a 1⅜” telescoping stationary rod in various finishes and lengths: 36″-66″, 66″-120″, 120″-180″. https://www.kirsch.com/drapery-hardware/designer-metals/poles/30-stationary-poles. Available thru https://jcpcustomwindow.com/? or https://www.homedepot.com/services/c/kirsch-custom-window-treatments/51e8e1b61. Also available from various websites
This company owned by Deland Pelto I think could help you. We are in Arizona but i bet he would respond to a phone call and help you out even it was to give you a name in California. greeat guy and wonderful workmanship . I am a semi retired Interior Designer and am in the midst or ordering rods for a whole house and couldn’t find what we needed anywhere else. http://www.mywindowdressers.com. Hope this might help. Good luck!
Is it dripping of soul or dripping of cash? Who lives in these houses? Definitely not the typical reader of Emily’s blog.
I just find posts like these in bad taste when so many in the world are struggling with inflation, recession and layoffs.
I am a long time reader of Emily’s blog and feel that perhaps posts should be written while keeping the audience and economic climate in mind.
I’m no defender of the wealthy, nor the obscene disparities of wealth we permit to exist in our society, BUT . . . dripping with soul and dripping with cash are not necessarily mutually exclusive. I’m also a long time reader of Emily’s blog and really enjoy this kind of aspirational content, while fully understanding that it is not my reality, nor that of most people. I still see lots of inspirational design choices here that get my wheels turning when I look at my own home.
Good lord this house is gorgeous. That entryway in the lead picture sucked me in. So pretty + functional. My favorite room was probably the guest bedroom + bath because they used the most colors there.
Oh, aaaaand, that exterior shot of the front of the house. Holy moly. I love what they did. Oh, and the backyard. Sigh.
I agree with many of the comments here, the disconnect with over consumption and the beauty of this home. It does feel like the wealthy are exempt from participating in taking care of our planet just because they can afford more stuff so we shouldn’t judge them for having more of everything. I also see this house as a work of art. The videos of it really helps you feel the calmness of it and I felt like I was in a spa. I could see this as a second home to relax in but it would work better in the middle of nature not smushed into a neighborhood, but that would be even more environmentally destructive. The cognitive dissonance is real.
beautiful!
What an absolutely beautiful home, inside and out. Love seeing design styles beyond those EHD typically features. Ryann, you really seemed to like so many of the choices here and I can see why.
On another note, without knowing what the blog’s editorial process involves, I do know others have brought up constructive suggestions about thoughtful copy editing. This post seems like a great example where editing’s benefits could be very impactful.
It is incredibly beautiful, and many aspects of the design are in line with my taste, but I don’t actually like it. It almost looks as if AI designed the home; it makes me feel a bit uneasy.
I read this post early a.m. before any comments were here and absolutely fell in love with the vibe if this home! I haven’t commented on this blog in AGES, but came back later to say that I think this is my tip-top favorite home I’ve ever seen. It is so cozy, thoughtful and lovely. (I know it’s huge end but color and collections comes in all price ranges).
I loved it so much it stayed with me for the day and I came back to say all this!
And almost fell over when I read all the negativity. I LOVE THIS. THIS HOME AND POST IS MEMORABLE AND IM GLAD TO HAVE SEEN IT!
What a stunning home, full of inspiration! Does anyone know how I can find out who the artist is who painted that large entrance way cream/black mixed-media painting? TY!
Here you go, Lynne: https://alisilverstein.com/platform-home-x-ali-silverstein