Holmby Hills might be one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Los Angeles. “The area is known for its lush, tree-lined streets and large estate lots, which create a real sense of openness and privacy, something rare in the city,” says architect Harper Halprin. “It’s a great place for homeowners who want to retain a sense of privacy and space, while still maintaining access to the amenities Los Angeles provides.”
Harper and her husband, Aaron Leshtz, run AAHA Studio—a full-service, family-run architecture and interior design studio. For this project, their client’s goal was to create an elevated home that spoke to the tradition of Los Angeles architecture. “Bridging and morphing various Old World architectural styles into something new,” she explains. “We drew inspiration from the likes of William Heffner’s homes, among others, to achieve this. The must-have was a home that felt grand yet livable, family-friendly in scale but sophisticated in design.”
“It’s a creative twist on French Provincial and Hollywood Regency that meets to create a sophisticated California modern home,” Aaron adds. After the owner purchased the lot, their scope began with planning and zoning analysis and continued with architectural design and permitting all the way through construction administration.
The home spans two stories plus a basement, with six bedrooms, an office, eight bathrooms, and an attached three-car garage—totaling just over 8,300 square feet. “Our studio guided the client through the full design and execution process, from concept to completion, while interior designer Jenn Feldman and her team brought their creative touch to the interior finishes and furnishings.”
While the AAHA team focused on clean architectural lines and a structured interior framework, Jenn brought balance through warm, layered interiors. “Wide-plank wood floors ground the living spaces, while expanses of stone bring a natural, tactile elegance throughout,” Jenn explains. “In the front entry, oversized marble was laid in a classic checkerboard pattern, a nod to tradition reimagined with scale and modernity.”
Jenn ensured effortless entertaining would be at the forefront of the design, but so was functionality. “From sophisticated living spaces designed for effortless hosting to a basement built to handle an entire basketball team (their oldest son has, in fact, had all 17 teammates sleep over at once!), every detail was tailored to balance elegance with real family life,” she says. “The result is a home that reflects their values: open doors, warmth, and a lifestyle that celebrates both intimacy and scale.”
All in all, it took just over three years. “Every project has its own unique challenges, and part of our role is to navigate those on behalf of the client,” Aaron explains. “On a project like this it’s our job to protect the client’s budget and timeline, while ensuring they get their wish list. Managing expectations and ensuring alignment across collaborators was key.”
In the end, that teamwork is what allowed the vision to come together so successfully. Aaron adds, “On the design side, this lot is much wider and shallower than most lots we’ve worked on in Holmby which really presented a challenge in organizing the plan. We were able to flank a single, large living space with the ancillary spaces including the guest suite, a lounge, and a study/office. Ultimately, this hurdle allowed for much more light and frontage at the front and rear yards which makes the space feel very open and accessible.”
The clients couldn’t be happier with the finished result. “The project became a true collaboration,” Jenn shares. “Shaping not only the architecture and finishes, but also the highly personal touches that make the house a home.”
