“It’s hard to pick just one favorite in here. All the pieces have a story. The bureau and ceiling fixture we found at a local antique showroom in Pasadena. The front entry bench and rug are 1st Dibs finds. Lamps are from Suzanne Hollis in Pasadena.”

“This room was once a bedroom with a dressing area and bathroom. But that wasn’t what this family needed from it. What they wanted was a cozy family spot upstairs close to bedrooms where they could gather for movie nights and Laker games. This is not uncommon in older homes whose downstairs’ rooms are larger, harder to heat and too formal for casual hang-outs. This room is where this family spends most of their time together.”

“And that dressing room? It became an office for Mom to finish tasks while still feeling a part of the family’s conversations.”

“For the design, two priorities led the way: her love of beautiful fabrics and his love of a crazy comfortable sofa. I found the Colefax and Fowler fabric first. We’d worked on another home of theirs and it was with this history that I flagged fabrics and patterns I knew she’d love. I held onto that fabric for almost a year before we found its perfect place as the roman shade fabric. Similarly, we noted and stored away our love for the “sink-in” comfort of the Wesley Hall sectional sofa we used on both sides of the room. We upholstered it in an oh-so-soft Schumacher fabric we knew he’d loved for that extra, end-of-the-day “ahhh”. Perhaps one of my favorite details, though? That burled wood waterfall table over the custom ottoman. We added castors to its base so it can be pulled close to the sofa when an extra place for work or a drink is needed.”

“It was a dressing room before it became a home office; it was a pass-through before it became a quiet place to work. Its companion space is an upstairs’ family room that was once a bedroom. The adjacent bathroom was yellow, very yellow. The client words that lead our vision were: more light, brighter spaces, bring the outdoors in, honor the history of the home, comfortable, casual family spaces and easy entertaining. Here’s how a few of those keywords were woven into the Lady’s Office off the Family Room and it’s adjoining bathroom. She asked for a desk with a view and natural light. A desk with space to stretch and enough surface area to see all her papers at once. A few open shelves to display Lladro pieces that had been buried deep in a closet for years. A feminine palette of soft blues, crisp whites, and soothing creams.”

“From the tile to the arch over the tub/shower, this bathroom was designed to honor the home’s Spanish origins. They are Mission Tile’s own Revival line, hand-made at their art deco tile line.”

Plumbing is Rohl and Sigma. Vanity is Palmer Industries.

“Perhaps one of my favorite transformations is the living room. A bit removed from the other often-used spaces in the house, this room saw only occasional activity. We quickly determined that the client’s love of outdoor entertaining might best be served by an indoor space. The living room, with several French doors onto the patio, was perfect for the job. With its generous size and attached, but more intimate sunroom, this is a space that invites group gatherings large and small.”

“A TV over the mantle is hidden by a well concealed piece of art that rolls away with a remote, additional sconces, custom made to suit the timeless Spanish design of the house, were added for better nighttime lighting. Perhaps a more overt way of playing up the room’s architecture was the addition of the limestone fireplace; custom built to add visual interest and anchor the seating area.”

The sofa and chairs are from Wesley Hall, and the side tables are from Butler and Chelsea House.

Armoire and sideboard are from Revival Antiques in Pasadena.

“In one corner of the room sat a piano rarely played but whose corner position promised to be more frequently used by another piece of furniture, a custom bar. As it was installed during Covid, I think we can all appreciate that particular choice. Several other decisions helped balance the design for this space. Mindful of the home’s historical relevance and its architecture, we looked for subtle ways to introduce the client’s need for more modern living and entertainment.”

“This room had character pieces we wanted to highlight: The pillowed marble floors, vanity backsplash and the milk glass pendants. We replaced darker, marbleized paint with Schumacher wallpapers and a too tall pony wall with a half wall to open the space up.”