A Harmony of Eras: Blending Historic Preservation with Modern Flair in a Los Angeles Spanish Colonial Revival Home
A Los Angeles couple embarked on a multi-year journey to restore their 1928 Spanish Colonial Revival home in Hancock Park. Driven by a profound respect for the property's rich history, they collaborated with local designer Barry Fox to meticulously blend historical accuracy with contemporary sensibilities. Their approach, described as "historicist in ideology rather than practice," resulted in a living space that is both an homage to its origins and a testament to modern design.
The acquisition of the property, a 1928 Spanish Colonial Revival–style residence in Los Angeles's Hancock Park, was swift, occurring within minutes via FaceTime. However, its careful restoration became a multi-year endeavor. The new owners, who prefer to be called "stewards," immediately recognized the importance of preserving the home's historical essence. To personalize the space, the wife, a former beauty executive, and her husband, a film and television producer, enlisted designer Barry Fox to capture the spirit of its original inhabitants.
The kitchen, a sleek space adorned with Calacatta marble and reflective brass, embodies this unique philosophy. While its ultramodern appearance might seem to contradict a preservation-focused renovation, it perfectly aligns with the owners' vision. They sought to interpret history with an eye toward the future, creating a kitchen that felt like a cutting-edge design within the existing architecture. The entry hall's original cream ceramic flooring, initially a point of contention, was ultimately retained at the wife's insistence due to its irreplaceable patina. Louis XV gilt-bronze sconces and a Patrice Dangel patinated-bronze torchère illuminate the space, complementing a Gaetano Pesce "Nobody's Perfect" chair.
Structural modifications, led by June Street Architecture principal Sonny Ward, discreetly expanded the living areas to include a subterranean three-tier screening room, all while preserving the protected facade, lush courtyard, and distinctive circular swimming pool. Ward emphasized that thoughtful engineering could support preservation, and the wife echoed this sentiment, stating they felt no right to drastically alter the home. The couple, who split their time between New York and Los Angeles, were committed to honoring the house's history throughout the extensive project.
This design ethos extended into the interiors, which the wife described as a "chopped and screwed Mongiardino," aiming for a unique blend of different vernaculars and linguistic idioms to achieve "the right mix of weirdness." She posed a hypothetical: "What if Jacques Grange, instead of being a French Burgundy, were a funky natural orange wine? What would that look like?" Designer Barry Fox, known for his ability to combine museum-quality art and luxurious textiles with more accessible finds, played a crucial role in curating and expanding the couple's impressive collection. He famously paired dining chairs from Queen Victoria's collection with a 1970s Milo Baughman burlwood dining table, and a George Nakashima headboard with an 18th-century Régence fauteuil from the husband’s childhood home. Fox’s keen eye for placement ensures that art and furniture draw the viewer into each space.
The husband, a seasoned collector of fine art and antiques, prioritized achieving a delicate balance between refinement and practicality. He admired Fox's and his wife's knack for generating novel and impactful aesthetics within each room, while also ensuring the home remained genuinely comfortable and livable. This equilibrium was a central theme of their collaborative discussions. A particularly whimsical and intricate detail, a custom bronze faucet in the downstairs powder room, took two years to design and cast. It meticulously replicates the family’s beloved cat, Buns (also known as Bunny Mellon), highlighting the personalized and unique touches integrated throughout the grand residence.
The extensive renovation and interior design of the 1928 Spanish Colonial Revival home in Los Angeles seamlessly intertwines historical preservation with contemporary artistry. This project exemplifies a thoughtful approach to homeownership, where the rich heritage of the property is not only maintained but also creatively enhanced by a curated selection of antiques, modern art, and unique design elements, ultimately resulting in a truly distinctive and personal living environment.