A grand 1922 Los Angeles home gets a modern makeover while paying homage to the original architecture.
When Cynthia Carlson (a partner in DCM Design Inc.) was asked to undertake an extensive remodel of a 3,000-square-foot classic Hancock Park home, she was keen to balance history with the needs of contemporary life (think children, dogs, family room). The owners were not looking to add square footage, since their were preservation restrictions on the house, but were interested in maximizing the existing space. Carlson's approach? Use a uniform formal language to incorporate a modern aesthetic, without compromising the integrity of the original home. We like the results.
Photography by Catherine Tighe.
Above: The original dining room floors were a butterscotch-colored oak, so Carlson replaced them with walnut which she also used throughout the house. The wood paneled walls and molding were also stained, so these were stripped and painted white. The custom dining table is from Seattle-based Roy McMakin, and the dining chairs are also by McMakin. Carlson designed the built-in buffet. A glamorous Roll & Hill Modo chandelier hangs over a collection of pottery by Ray West, sourced at OK Store.
Above: Carlson sought to keep the palette simple; she used a black slate floor, which provides contrast with the statuarietto marble counters and the cabinetry painted in Blackened by Farrow & Ball. A white Caravaggio P0 pendant lighting hangs over the kitchen island.
Above: On display above the SubZero refrigerator is a collection of pottery by Ray West from OK Store.
Above: In the breakfast room, a Saarinen dining table coexists with a Caravaggio P2 pendant. The stools in the kitchen are by Jonah Meyer of Sawkille, sourced from Matter in New York.
Above: On the far wall, Carlson reconfigured the built-in shelving around the large picture window in the family room. The Charles sofa is by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia; the pillows are from Nickey Kehoe.
Above: The double-hung windows in the bathrooms have a simple oil cloth roller shade with translucent glass in the lower half of the window and clear glass above. Carlson designed the custom walnut vanity (also in the style of Roy McMakin). The contemporary white tub is from Wet Style's Ove collection.
Above: Carlson used Serena limestone flooring from Waterworks on the floor; the bath counter is statuarietto marble, in keeping with those in the kitchen.
Above: Carlson turned to Mann Brothers Specialty Paints (a favorite Hollywood source for set designers) for the DayGlo paint.