With Dizzying Views and ‘Deco Modernist’ Styling, This Hollywood Hills House Is Ready for Its Close-Up

Amanda Leigh and Taylor Hahn of House of Rolison have introduced their latest renovated property to the market, a Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood residence priced just under $6 million. This follows their successful revamping of two other notable homes late last year: a Spanish-Mediterranean property in Coldwater Canyon, currently listed at $4 million, and a 1930s Hollywood Hills house that was quickly acquired by Sabrina Carpenter for approximately $4.4 million. The current listing is a transitional, character-filled residence that exemplifies the design/build duo’s innovative approach, featuring a new dark gray facade and several hidden doorways. Originally constructed in the early 1950s, the property was acquired by the design team seven months prior for $3.2 million. The meticulously re-imagined showpiece now comprises a main house spanning over 3,800 square feet across multiple levels, offering four bedrooms and five bathrooms. The interior design emphasizes creamy tones complemented by hardwood floors, wood-paneled accent walls, elevated ceilings, and custom designer lighting throughout. Additionally, there is a detached two-car garage with a guesthouse above it, which includes one bedroom, one bathroom, a living/dining area, a kitchenette, and a private balcony. Key features on the main level include an open-concept great room that seamlessly integrates a formal dining area with a living room. The living room is distinguished by a red brick fireplace and a vaulted wood-beam ceiling with a skylight. An adjacent family room, featuring French doors that open to an outdoor entertaining terrace, connects to a marble-clad kitchen. This kitchen is equipped with bespoke cabinetry, an eat-in island furnished with carved wood stools, high-end stainless steel appliances, and an adjoining breakfast nook. The upper level houses a luxurious master suite, which includes a fireplace, a private balcony, and two showroom-style closets. The en-suite bathroom is designed as a spa-like retreat, offering dual vanities, an oval soaking tub set within a marble platform, and a spacious two-person shower. The residence also features a lower-level entertainment area and a wine cellar. Outdoors, the nearly quarter-acre grounds are landscaped with a built-in barbecue area and an irregularly shaped swimming pool, providing expansive views of the city lights and surrounding canyons. Claire O’Connor and Sam O’Connor of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties share the listing. #BeverlyHills #LuxuryRealEstate #HomeRenovation #HouseOfRolison #ModernDesign #CaliforniaHomes #InteriorDesign #RealEstateMarket

The article details a significant renovation project undertaken by designer Stewart Horner of Penny Black Interiors on a classic 1954 midcentury home in West Hills. While the homeowners wished to preserve most of the original interior, which was described as bright, clean, and immaculately maintained, a major issue identified was the home's gloomy and covered entryway. Horner perceived this entryway as a missed opportunity for a distinctive design element that could set the tone for the entire home. The renovation focused on transforming this underutilized space. Horner's team incorporated inside-outside cement tilework from Clé Tile, designed with triangles that ingeniously guide visitors' eyes inward, directing them toward and through a large glass pivot door. This design choice not only adds a visual 'wow factor' but also creates a clear path into the residence. Prior to the renovation, a solid wall separated the dark entry vestibule from the dining room, contributing to the cramped and dim feel of the entrance. To address this, Horner replaced the solid wall with a porous shelf system and a bench. This architectural modification allowed natural light to flow into the entry area from the left-hand side, dramatically brightening the space and making it feel considerably more expansive. The overall objective was to create an entryway that functions as a narrative element for the home. Horner likens the entry to the cover of a book or the starting point of a story, suggesting that it should offer a preview of the home's character and aesthetic before one fully steps inside. The intervention successfully integrates modern design elements while respecting the midcentury origins of the house, enhancing both its functionality and aesthetic appeal. #HomeDesign #MidcenturyHome #EntrywayDesign #InteriorRenovation #Architecture #PortlandHomes #DesignNarrative #Tilework

Architect Damon Hills and his partner John Boschen transformed a derelict 1920s California bungalow in Northcote, purchased in 2013, into a modern, light-filled residence they now call the Light Box Home. The original property, a deceased estate, was in an unlivable condition due to neglect and significant odor issues, featuring an asbestos-ridden lean-to and an outdoor toilet. Despite its state, Hills recognized the potential of the house, situated in the desirable Sumner Estate near Merri Creek, an area known for its California bungalows. He appreciated the utilitarian design of bungalows and sought to preserve the home's classic facade while undertaking a comprehensive renovation. The renovation began with exterior modifications, replacing the pressed-metal roof with a corrugated-iron one, which was consistent with the original architectural style. Although constrained by heritage overlay regulations that prevented the addition of bay windows to the facade, the front two rooms, which now serve as the main and guest bedrooms, were retained. A key focus of the redesign was to enhance natural light, as the original house was notably dark. Hills addressed this by incorporating new windows on the sides of the front bedrooms and installing skylights throughout many rooms to maximize light penetration. The rotting blackbutt flooring in the wide hallway was replaced with new blackbutt, and a new bathroom was added behind the guest bedroom. This bathroom features a marble vanity, a luxurious tub, smaller wall tiles, and a herringbone floor pattern, with an innovative wet room design that places the bath beyond the shower to optimize space. The asbestos lean-to was demolished, making way for a new section of the house that includes a third guest bedroom (or study) and a powder room. This new area functions as a transitional space leading to a thoroughly modern living extension at the rear. The design accounted for the property's slope, utilizing it to create a slightly elevated new living section. This elevation allowed for the inclusion of clerestory windows around the top of the kitchen and dining areas, effectively filtering more light into the main living space. The modern kitchen is equipped with Miele appliances, a butler’s pantry, a concealed fridge, three ovens (standard, steam, and microwave combi), and a warming drawer. A notable design element is the oversized island bench with a bespoke linear light fixture above it, which provides illumination and defines the space. The lounge area features a fireplace and a discreetly integrated television that blends into a black background when off. Glass doors open to a north-facing wooden deck, while floor-to-ceiling windows at the back maximize morning light from the easterly aspect. The architect strategically placed larger windows on the northerly and easterly sides for optimal light, with smaller windows on the south and west. The home is fitted with hydronic floor heating and a single split-system air conditioner, relying on excellent insulation for climate control. Hills emphasized the personal challenge of designing his own home compared to client projects, noting the intense scrutiny of every detail. He described the home as a luxurious and spacious sanctuary, a place he looks forward to returning to, even from travel. The postscript details Hills’ observations on visitors' comments, highlighting the unexpected sense of space and the barn doors in the powder room and laundry. His favorite spot is an Arana armchair by Jardan in the living room, facing the fireplace, from which he can view the entire space. His favorite item is "The Mythical Galloping Faun" painting by Jodie Zomer, noting its constant movement and new discoveries upon each viewing. The Arana armchair is also his most sentimental piece, having moved with them through four houses. He expressed a dream of living in a New York City brownstone and described his entertaining style as simple dinners with friends, often concluding with a lemon tart from Babka in Fitzroy. For Hills, home signifies a place of relaxation and unwinding, a special and luxurious space that brings comfort and joy. #HomeRenovation #CaliforniaBungalow #LightBoxHome #ModernArchitecture #InteriorDesign #NorthcoteRealEstate #DamonHills #SustainableDesign #LuxuryHome

Chasitie and Mike Walden embarked on a journey to construct a new family home in Mission Hills, drawing inspiration from a unique house they encountered in Atlanta, Georgia. Their vision was realized over three years, culminating in a contemporary residence that skillfully integrates traditional elements, making it a comfortable retreat during the 2020 pandemic shutdown. The exterior, designed by Mark McHenry with McHenry Schaffer Architecture, features crisp white stucco juxtaposed with ashlar masonry, and steel-framed windows and doors are complemented by classic carriage-house lanterns, blending modern aesthetics with neighborhood tradition. Inside, interior architect Oliver Carter orchestrated a dynamic interplay of styles. The double-height entry showcases classic black-and-white marble tiles and traditional balusters, modernized by an oversized brass-framed mirror and a sleek bench. The elevated music room, a vibrant space, hosts a timeless black baby-grand piano and a striking Dale Chihuly chandelier, exemplifying the home’s bold approach to design. Interior designer Debbie Cansler of Trapp and Company joined the project to streamline the selection of finishes and furniture, ensuring a cohesive and functional design. Among the most cherished spaces is the living room, featuring grass-green tuxedo-style sofas with white bases flanking the fireplace, anchored by a graphic geometric rug. The custom Porter Teleo wallpaper is highlighted as a central artistic element. Adjacent to the living room, and separated by glassed-in wine storage, the dining room offers a cozy and richly colored environment, perfect for entertaining. It is adorned with antique crystal chandeliers and a custom Eric Thomas-designed rift-sawn white-oak table that can accommodate fourteen guests. Mike’s office, a sanctuary during lockdown, combines a serious atmosphere with dark woodwork and law journals, lightened by Hunt Slonem’s Abraham Lincoln painting and a whimsical “honest lawyer” pillow. The kitchen was conceived as a casual and low-maintenance space, essential for a family with two children and three dogs. It features double islands topped with polished white Panda marble, providing ample room for family activities and meal preparation, with Ann Sacks tile adding a dramatic touch to the backsplash. The primary suite serves as a serene escape, characterized by deep blue Phillip Jeffries shagreen wallcovering, a custom wingback leather-upholstered bed, and a plush hand-knotted Stark rug. The en-suite bathroom is a luxurious oasis, boasting an expansive floor of honed Grigio Delcato marble tiles, custom vanities with calacatta quartz tops, and a freestanding tub set against a backdrop of Artistic Tile water-jet mosaic. The Waldens express immense satisfaction with their home, a sentiment echoed by its popularity on the recent Kappa Kappa Gamma tour, confirming Cansler's success in creating a home that resonates with the family's desires. #MissionHillsHome #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #ContemporaryHome #HomeDecor #CustomInteriors #LuxuryLiving #FamilyHome #KansasCityRealEstate