Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Cheeky Opulence in L.A.
Natalie Younger decks out a producer's dark and daring bachelor pad
The owner of this luxe loft in downtown Los Angeles is a producer who travels to Asia often. "There's humor in the design there," says interior designer Natalie Younger. "It's playful and it doesn't take itself too seriously — it's all about visual stimulation." The client wanted to bring these elements into his new downtown apartment and hired Younger to give it the fun, bold look he was looking for.
The client often works from home when he's in L.A., so Younger had to get creative with the apartment's 1,000 square feet. Hidden storage spaces and an integrated office area helped her save room where it counts. "I know this look isn't for everyone," says Younger. "It was a brazen move, but when you're in the space it really is this enchanting and interesting world."
The client often works from home when he's in L.A., so Younger had to get creative with the apartment's 1,000 square feet. Hidden storage spaces and an integrated office area helped her save room where it counts. "I know this look isn't for everyone," says Younger. "It was a brazen move, but when you're in the space it really is this enchanting and interesting world."
While many people might find the rich color palette overwhelming, Younger says that the midnight-blue walls take on a life of their own when the curtains are open and the sunny Los Angeles light pours through the windows.
Younger maintained the home's rich color palette by using plush and opulent product throughout the space.
The beautiful Chesterfield sofa is lined with black velvet and is stuffed with memory foam to make it extra-comfortable. Younger found a playful black and gold fabric by Andrew Martin to make pillows for the sofa.
Rug: Surya; throw Pillows: Andrew Martin Textiles; coffee tables: Vintage;
gold jack accent: Home Goods; red lacquer boxes: Room Service
Younger maintained the home's rich color palette by using plush and opulent product throughout the space.
The beautiful Chesterfield sofa is lined with black velvet and is stuffed with memory foam to make it extra-comfortable. Younger found a playful black and gold fabric by Andrew Martin to make pillows for the sofa.
Rug: Surya; throw Pillows: Andrew Martin Textiles; coffee tables: Vintage;
gold jack accent: Home Goods; red lacquer boxes: Room Service
A huge part of the inspiration for this home's style comes from the client's love for the eccentric and larger-than-life style he often sees on his trips to Asia. "He described the sights that he's seen as a bit more edgy, strange and even bizarre," says Younger. "We really wanted to infuse that offbeat vibe into his home."
Wall color: Farrow & Ball, Hague Blue
Ceiling color: Benjamin Moore, Snowfall White
Frames and Art: Custom designed by NYID
Wall color: Farrow & Ball, Hague Blue
Ceiling color: Benjamin Moore, Snowfall White
Frames and Art: Custom designed by NYID
Having a separate space where the client could work was a must, as he often works from home when not traveling. But Younger and team also didn't want to invade other rooms in the house. Instead, they built a half-wall in front of a desk in the living room, creating a space that looks almost like a concierge's desk. This allows for separation without giving up too much room.
Marble and Gold Desk Light: Arteriors
Marble and Gold Desk Light: Arteriors
Younger and her team custom built the wall so that LED lights would shine through slits at night. "It almost has a fireplace-like feel," she says. The glow echos the gold accents that are spiked throughout the home — even the exposed air ducts were painted gold!
Desk: Sunpan
Desk: Sunpan
The unique dining table was designed and made by Younger and her team. The top is an acid-washed metal, and the base is zebra wood. Crocodile-leather upholstered seats add that extra over-the-top touch.
Younger had the ceiling in this apartment painted with a white high-gloss paint, which contrasts with the darker colors and reflects light to make the home look a bit larger.
Exposed gold chains hold up a custom mirror — another tool that Younger used to reflect light and make the space look bigger. The base of the dining table holds three drawers and two cabinets for extra storage.
Chandelier: Calais Chandelier, Z Gallerie
Exposed gold chains hold up a custom mirror — another tool that Younger used to reflect light and make the space look bigger. The base of the dining table holds three drawers and two cabinets for extra storage.
Chandelier: Calais Chandelier, Z Gallerie
The kitchen had already been outfitted with Caesarstone countertops and a Porcelanosa backsplash, so Younger simply dressed up the space with new lighting fixtures and a coat of green wall paint. High-efficiency under-cabinet task lighting keeps the work surfaces well-lit, even at night.
Lamps: Kartel
Bar Stools: Loft Appeal
Counter Tops: CaesarStone
Wall Paint: Benjamin Moore Absolute Green
Lamps: Kartel
Bar Stools: Loft Appeal
Counter Tops: CaesarStone
Wall Paint: Benjamin Moore Absolute Green
The bedroom and bathroom in this home are the only two rooms that play with significantly lighter colors. The soothing gray in this room helps create place of relaxation and refuge.
The poster above the bed is one of two large-scale pieces of movie-related art the client finds very inspiring, so incorporating these pieces into the home's design was a must.
Bedding: Dwell for Robert Allen
Paint Walls: Pratt & Lambert Steel
The poster above the bed is one of two large-scale pieces of movie-related art the client finds very inspiring, so incorporating these pieces into the home's design was a must.
Bedding: Dwell for Robert Allen
Paint Walls: Pratt & Lambert Steel
Younger had a cabinet built above his closet to store additional clothing and bed linens. The client's plush blanket contrasts with the leather accent pillows on the bed. "Comfort was a factor that wasn't sacrificed in this design," Younger says.
The bathroom was already outfitted with Porcelanosa tile and Kohler sinks, so Younger kept it a crisp and clean white. "I didn't want it to feel like a bathroom in a bar," she says.
This unique design was exactly what the client was looking for. The rich textiles and bold color choices create a visually exciting look that doesn't take itself too seriously.
"All spaces speak to me in their own way," says Younger. "It's finding that in-between with your client and the space itself."
More:
Design Trends: Plunging into Deep, Dark Walls
Houzz Tour: Classic Tudor Gets a Modern Update
Houzz Tour: Downsizing for Loft Living in Fort Lauderdale
This unique design was exactly what the client was looking for. The rich textiles and bold color choices create a visually exciting look that doesn't take itself too seriously.
"All spaces speak to me in their own way," says Younger. "It's finding that in-between with your client and the space itself."
More:
Design Trends: Plunging into Deep, Dark Walls
Houzz Tour: Classic Tudor Gets a Modern Update
Houzz Tour: Downsizing for Loft Living in Fort Lauderdale
Wallpaper: Graham & Brown
Credenza: Vintage