A Hollywood Landmark Gets All Dressed Up
Designers decorate rooms in L.A.’s Wattles Mansion for a 2017 showcase and fundraiser happening through April 16
For the second designer showcase at the historic Wattles Mansion in Los Angeles, 16 design teams tackled the theme “Hollywood History: The New Classics.” The designers injected contemporary touches into the home’s rooms while preserving its classical architecture and period details. A Mission Revival masterpiece designed by Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey, the home was built in 1908 for financier Gurdon Wattles. The decorated rooms are not intended to create a unified interior but instead independently showcase each designer’s personal interpretation of the theme.
Today the landmark home, with 47 acres of botanical gardens, is considered a local treasure. It is owned by the city, is available for tours and can be rented for special events. The showcase event benefits charities that include No-Kill Los Angeles (an initiative of the Best Friends Animal Society), Save Iconic Architecture Projects and the Los Angeles Parks Foundation.
2017 Wattles Mansion Designer Showcase
Location: 1824 N. Curson Ave., Los Angeles
When: March 23 through April 16, 2017; Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $40. Tickets and more info
Today the landmark home, with 47 acres of botanical gardens, is considered a local treasure. It is owned by the city, is available for tours and can be rented for special events. The showcase event benefits charities that include No-Kill Los Angeles (an initiative of the Best Friends Animal Society), Save Iconic Architecture Projects and the Los Angeles Parks Foundation.
2017 Wattles Mansion Designer Showcase
Location: 1824 N. Curson Ave., Los Angeles
When: March 23 through April 16, 2017; Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $40. Tickets and more info
BEFORE: The living room had a tiled fireplace and an abundance of wood, but otherwise provided a blank canvas for Woodson to decorate.
AFTER: A comfortable sectional faces a stunning view of the front lawn, Wattles community garden and the city beyond through a large window framed by stately draperies and wooden candlesticks. A mix of historic and contemporary art adorns the walls, including a large painting of actress Norma Talmadge, which was found in storage by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and restored for last year’s showcase.
Gallery Entry (this photo and next)
Design team: David Dalton
A serene mix of neutral tones and black accents marks the home’s entry. An eye-catching stone table with steel legs anchors the space. Draperies and angular wingback chairs frame the doorways, providing contrast to the room’s curved doorways and coved ceiling.
Design team: David Dalton
A serene mix of neutral tones and black accents marks the home’s entry. An eye-catching stone table with steel legs anchors the space. Draperies and angular wingback chairs frame the doorways, providing contrast to the room’s curved doorways and coved ceiling.
BEFORE: Pictured here is the unfurnished entry.
Dining Room (this photo and next)
Design team: Dragonette
Reinterpreting a historic house for modern living was not difficult for designer Patrick Dragonette, who sells midcentury furniture and accessories at his Los Angeles showroom. “Anything fresh and current is a collection of all styles,” he says. “It’s a blending of all these different eras together.”
Design team: Dragonette
Reinterpreting a historic house for modern living was not difficult for designer Patrick Dragonette, who sells midcentury furniture and accessories at his Los Angeles showroom. “Anything fresh and current is a collection of all styles,” he says. “It’s a blending of all these different eras together.”
Dragonette’s design for the dining room includes contemporary artwork as well as a 19th-century anatomical study, classical urns, and side tables inspired by the 1920s and ’30s. To balance the wood, the designer selected a shiny steel dining table, which served as the room’s inspirational starting point. A spiky glass chandelier over it adds some edginess.
Library (this photo and next)
Design team: Fernando Diaz & Associates
Injecting modern touches into this traditional space with its 1908 original wood paneling was a challenge met by designer Fernando Diaz, who calls the end product “a perfect marriage of the old and the new.” Inspiration came from the sumptuous fabrics he chose, as well as furniture from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.
Design team: Fernando Diaz & Associates
Injecting modern touches into this traditional space with its 1908 original wood paneling was a challenge met by designer Fernando Diaz, who calls the end product “a perfect marriage of the old and the new.” Inspiration came from the sumptuous fabrics he chose, as well as furniture from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.
“All furnishings are very contemporary,” Diaz says. This includes the purple chaise from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and a rug from Aga John Oriental Rugs. The artwork is from Clara Bert of BertaArt.
Kitchen and Butler’s Pantry
Design team: Williams Sonoma Home
A marble-topped cook’s table with chrome legs and shelving maintains the traditional feel of the mansion’s kitchen. Across from it, a classic black range from the French manufacturer La Cornue was installed for the 2016 designer showcase.
Design team: Williams Sonoma Home
A marble-topped cook’s table with chrome legs and shelving maintains the traditional feel of the mansion’s kitchen. Across from it, a classic black range from the French manufacturer La Cornue was installed for the 2016 designer showcase.
Side Entry
Design team: Melinda Ritz and Mae Brunken, on behalf of the Set Decorators Society of America
As set decorators for the film industry, Mae Brunken and Melinda Ritz consider themselves storytellers, Brunken says, making them a perfect fit for reinterpreting this space. They used a long refectory table and numerous plants and pottery to transform the space into a conservatory.
“The conservatory concept for the porte cochere entry was inspired by the original black-and-white marble tile floors and the Mission Revival architecture, featuring a large Venetian-style mirror that expands the space while creating a dramatic moment,” Brunken says.
Table: Omega Cinema Props; plants and planters: Jackson Shrub Supply; mirror and accessories: Susanne Hollis; fabric for wall panel: Dazian
Design team: Melinda Ritz and Mae Brunken, on behalf of the Set Decorators Society of America
As set decorators for the film industry, Mae Brunken and Melinda Ritz consider themselves storytellers, Brunken says, making them a perfect fit for reinterpreting this space. They used a long refectory table and numerous plants and pottery to transform the space into a conservatory.
“The conservatory concept for the porte cochere entry was inspired by the original black-and-white marble tile floors and the Mission Revival architecture, featuring a large Venetian-style mirror that expands the space while creating a dramatic moment,” Brunken says.
Table: Omega Cinema Props; plants and planters: Jackson Shrub Supply; mirror and accessories: Susanne Hollis; fabric for wall panel: Dazian
Ladies’ Lounge
Design team: Kelley Jackson Interior Design
Designer Kelley Jackson says her space tells the story of a “bold and elegant woman who collects and supports local artists and locally made furniture and furnishings.” Jackson’s choice of a “strong but pleasing pink,” California furniture from the 1920s and ’30s, a glamorous mirror and period artwork by California artists depicting Los Angeles locations give the lounge a strong sense of place.
Design team: Kelley Jackson Interior Design
Designer Kelley Jackson says her space tells the story of a “bold and elegant woman who collects and supports local artists and locally made furniture and furnishings.” Jackson’s choice of a “strong but pleasing pink,” California furniture from the 1920s and ’30s, a glamorous mirror and period artwork by California artists depicting Los Angeles locations give the lounge a strong sense of place.
Choosing the perfect pink tone was a challenge, and her inspiration came from the Spanish Revival homes of Hollywood legends like Will Rogers.
Furniture, Bauer pottery and artwork: Eric Berg’s Early California Antiques; lights and mirror: Remains Lighting; rug: Amadi Carpets; sink, toilet and plumbing supplies: Snyder Diamond; wall paint: Bella Pink #6596, Sherwin-Williams
Furniture, Bauer pottery and artwork: Eric Berg’s Early California Antiques; lights and mirror: Remains Lighting; rug: Amadi Carpets; sink, toilet and plumbing supplies: Snyder Diamond; wall paint: Bella Pink #6596, Sherwin-Williams
Gentleman’s Lounge
Design team: Melinda Ritz and Mae Brunken, on behalf of the Set Decorators Society of America
Designer Mae Brunken says her team transformed a traditional bathroom into an eclectic lounge for a man who “appreciates classic architecture but wants a modern lifestyle.” Their inspiration came from vintage barber shops combined with modern-day comforts.
Wallcovering: Astek; pharmacy cabinet, bar cart and accessories: Ob-jects; neon clock: Heaven or Las Vegas; sapphire mirror: custom, U-Frame-It Gallery; chair: vintage, re-covered by Warner Bros.; rug: Lawrence of La Brea; light fixture: Fuse Lighting
Design team: Melinda Ritz and Mae Brunken, on behalf of the Set Decorators Society of America
Designer Mae Brunken says her team transformed a traditional bathroom into an eclectic lounge for a man who “appreciates classic architecture but wants a modern lifestyle.” Their inspiration came from vintage barber shops combined with modern-day comforts.
Wallcovering: Astek; pharmacy cabinet, bar cart and accessories: Ob-jects; neon clock: Heaven or Las Vegas; sapphire mirror: custom, U-Frame-It Gallery; chair: vintage, re-covered by Warner Bros.; rug: Lawrence of La Brea; light fixture: Fuse Lighting
Game Room
Design team: Jonathan Winslow Design
Designer Jonathan Winslow created this room as a modern-day gathering space for card and game playing, big-screen-television viewing, working on a laptop or doing homework. His jumping-off point for the sunny room was an orange leather game table with nailhead detailing. “With its vintage styling yet very modern feel, I knew it would be the perfect statement piece,” he says.
Design team: Jonathan Winslow Design
Designer Jonathan Winslow created this room as a modern-day gathering space for card and game playing, big-screen-television viewing, working on a laptop or doing homework. His jumping-off point for the sunny room was an orange leather game table with nailhead detailing. “With its vintage styling yet very modern feel, I knew it would be the perfect statement piece,” he says.
BEFORE: The room normally “blazes with sunlight,” Winslow says, so finding the right wall color turned into one of his biggest challenges. “I knew I wanted the room to feel inviting and soothing, but not too heavy,” he says. He settled on Nuthatch by Sherwin-Williams, which he felt gives the room depth for the furniture and artwork while also reflecting light. “It reminds me of Nutella,” he says.
Upstairs Landing and Gallery
Design team: Brende Home
Designer Jessica Brende had comfort in mind when she created this space on the second floor. The sunny area with its pink sofa and soft touches was designed for a working modern mom to have a space “to kick off her heels and sip on a glass of wine while enjoying a view to the beautiful backyard,” Brende says. Her initial inspiration was the center flush-mount light fixture, which she calls “the perfect blend of historical style with a modern approach.”
Sofa, stools, cabinet and sconces: Brende Home; rug: Stanton; ceiling fixture: Aerin; art over sofa: Natural Curiosities; console: Mecox; cowhide rug: Malibu Market & Design; turquoise art: Clamdiggin
Design team: Brende Home
Designer Jessica Brende had comfort in mind when she created this space on the second floor. The sunny area with its pink sofa and soft touches was designed for a working modern mom to have a space “to kick off her heels and sip on a glass of wine while enjoying a view to the beautiful backyard,” Brende says. Her initial inspiration was the center flush-mount light fixture, which she calls “the perfect blend of historical style with a modern approach.”
Sofa, stools, cabinet and sconces: Brende Home; rug: Stanton; ceiling fixture: Aerin; art over sofa: Natural Curiosities; console: Mecox; cowhide rug: Malibu Market & Design; turquoise art: Clamdiggin
Master Bedroom
Design team: Kym Rodger Design
Kym Rodger melded historic details with contemporary elements in the master bedroom. She used traditional materials such as velvet, wool, silk and embroidered fabrics, along with antique glass reminiscent of the early 1900s and of-the-moment clean lines.
Design team: Kym Rodger Design
Kym Rodger melded historic details with contemporary elements in the master bedroom. She used traditional materials such as velvet, wool, silk and embroidered fabrics, along with antique glass reminiscent of the early 1900s and of-the-moment clean lines.
Rodger’s inspiration was a painting of a lady in bed. “I loved how the sheets draped over the bed, so I painted a close-up of sheets and collaborated with Mayflower Wallpaper to create the wallpaper that you see on the walls. You are essentially sleeping amongst layers of fabric.”
Rodger used a velvet chaise and added crown molding and plaster relief on the ceiling for glam appeal. She designed the space as if for one of her clients, who “like to feel they are staying in a five-star hotel suite.”
Bed and chaise: Laura Kirar collection, Baker Furniture; bed canopy, coverlet fabric and drapery fabric: Donghia; nightstand: Barbara Barry collection Baker Furniture; nightstand lamp: Currey & Co.; side table and screen: Thomas Pheasant collection, Baker Furniture; rug: Stark; floor lamp: Baker Furniture
Rodger used a velvet chaise and added crown molding and plaster relief on the ceiling for glam appeal. She designed the space as if for one of her clients, who “like to feel they are staying in a five-star hotel suite.”
Bed and chaise: Laura Kirar collection, Baker Furniture; bed canopy, coverlet fabric and drapery fabric: Donghia; nightstand: Barbara Barry collection Baker Furniture; nightstand lamp: Currey & Co.; side table and screen: Thomas Pheasant collection, Baker Furniture; rug: Stark; floor lamp: Baker Furniture
Sitting Room and Bar (this photo and next)
Design team: Nicole Gordon Studio
When Nicole Gordon designed the master sitting room and adjacent bar, she used architecture as a historical starting point and brought in local emerging artists to reflect a contemporary lifestyle and “put an edge to our spaces.” The unique coffee table by Los Angeles furniture designer Chuck Moffit is handcrafted steel and etched bronze with handblown painted glass inserts.
Without ceiling support beams, a heavy light fixture was out of the question. A modern paper pendant lamp from Ikea solved the problem. “I was worried about using a light that wasn’t sophisticated enough for our space in such an important home. However, at the end I listened to the house and am very happy how it worked out,” Gordon says.
Danish chairs: Lief Almont; wall art: Marco Lorenzetto; sconces: Nadir, Orange
Design team: Nicole Gordon Studio
When Nicole Gordon designed the master sitting room and adjacent bar, she used architecture as a historical starting point and brought in local emerging artists to reflect a contemporary lifestyle and “put an edge to our spaces.” The unique coffee table by Los Angeles furniture designer Chuck Moffit is handcrafted steel and etched bronze with handblown painted glass inserts.
Without ceiling support beams, a heavy light fixture was out of the question. A modern paper pendant lamp from Ikea solved the problem. “I was worried about using a light that wasn’t sophisticated enough for our space in such an important home. However, at the end I listened to the house and am very happy how it worked out,” Gordon says.
Danish chairs: Lief Almont; wall art: Marco Lorenzetto; sconces: Nadir, Orange
Gordon took into account how a person living during the mansion’s early days would have used the space. “I assumed those using the sitting room would be reading the paper or conversing, and I thought a lovely break between the master bedroom and sitting room would be a place to get a drink of water or a cocktail in the evening.” She brought a bit of wildness to the bar area by using wallpaper illustrated with tigers. The custom bar she designed was constructed with raw white rift oak and a contemporary pattern on the front millwork.
Bar countertop: Caesarstone in Vanilla Noir #5100; wine refrigerator and ice maker: Snyder Diamond; wallpaper: Tiger & Magpie, Krane by Sharon Lee
Bar countertop: Caesarstone in Vanilla Noir #5100; wine refrigerator and ice maker: Snyder Diamond; wallpaper: Tiger & Magpie, Krane by Sharon Lee
Private Retreat
Design team: Beall Design Group
Designer Kathleen Beall created the private retreat with rejuvenation and quiet time in mind, as “your own personal escape from technology.” The spectacular view of the city and Wattles’ community garden inspired her to make the space serene and Zen-like, combining the room’s classic moldings, doors and woodwork with a neutral color palette. “My goal was to create a fine balance of a simplistic, harmonious space while providing enough visual stimulation and details,” she says.
Furniture: Vitality Furniture; linen drapery: Brende Home; crystal sconces: Lighting Innovation; sculptural paintings: Lawrence Beall; rug: Aga John Oriental Rugs
Design team: Beall Design Group
Designer Kathleen Beall created the private retreat with rejuvenation and quiet time in mind, as “your own personal escape from technology.” The spectacular view of the city and Wattles’ community garden inspired her to make the space serene and Zen-like, combining the room’s classic moldings, doors and woodwork with a neutral color palette. “My goal was to create a fine balance of a simplistic, harmonious space while providing enough visual stimulation and details,” she says.
Furniture: Vitality Furniture; linen drapery: Brende Home; crystal sconces: Lighting Innovation; sculptural paintings: Lawrence Beall; rug: Aga John Oriental Rugs
Guest Bedroom
Design team: Ryan Saghian Interior Design
The inspiration for Ryan Saghian’s guest bedroom was “glamorous old Hollywood and amethyst crystal,” brought to life in the space’s furnishings, finishes and color scheme. The glazed linen wallcovering by Robert Allen is a classic material with a contemporary edge, he says.
Saghian used an area rug to cover most of the floor, which he felt had too light a wood stain. Now the room, he says, “has a type of classicism about it with its traditional layout and concept, but feels extremely current and contemporary with the use of edgy and glamorous pieces.”
Bed and nightstands: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; rug: Caravan Rug Corp.; art and console: J. Alexander
Design team: Ryan Saghian Interior Design
The inspiration for Ryan Saghian’s guest bedroom was “glamorous old Hollywood and amethyst crystal,” brought to life in the space’s furnishings, finishes and color scheme. The glazed linen wallcovering by Robert Allen is a classic material with a contemporary edge, he says.
Saghian used an area rug to cover most of the floor, which he felt had too light a wood stain. Now the room, he says, “has a type of classicism about it with its traditional layout and concept, but feels extremely current and contemporary with the use of edgy and glamorous pieces.”
Bed and nightstands: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; rug: Caravan Rug Corp.; art and console: J. Alexander
Loggia (this photo and next)
Design team: Shapiro Joyal Studio
With plenty of plants and serene furnishings, designer Leslie Shapiro Joyal’s says her main goal was to “make people happy.” She dedicated the space to her mother, an animal lover, and said her inspiration and starting point was the bronze sculpture of a girl holding a bird (seen at left in this photo). With the loggia’s location between two dramatic interior spaces (the living room and dining room), she wanted to create a “little bit of a pause when you come through this space, almost like a palate cleanser. You come in, you get a whiff of pretty and then you go back into drama,” Shapiro Joyal says.
Design team: Shapiro Joyal Studio
With plenty of plants and serene furnishings, designer Leslie Shapiro Joyal’s says her main goal was to “make people happy.” She dedicated the space to her mother, an animal lover, and said her inspiration and starting point was the bronze sculpture of a girl holding a bird (seen at left in this photo). With the loggia’s location between two dramatic interior spaces (the living room and dining room), she wanted to create a “little bit of a pause when you come through this space, almost like a palate cleanser. You come in, you get a whiff of pretty and then you go back into drama,” Shapiro Joyal says.
The designer “let the space organically evolve,” she says, and populated it with vintage olive green velvet chairs, French pots, a marble-topped coffee table and chairs with wide seats.
Backyard Landscape
Design team: Anna Hoffman Landscape Architecture
Landscape architect Anna Hoffman added depth and color to transform the back garden at Wattles Mansion — a regal tiered space with walkways and palms. New plantings included shrubs, rosemary, birds of paradise, bougainvillea and star jasmine. Six concrete planters were added, as well as 11 cubic yards of gravel.
See more photos from this year’s show house
More: See more stories about designer showcases
Design team: Anna Hoffman Landscape Architecture
Landscape architect Anna Hoffman added depth and color to transform the back garden at Wattles Mansion — a regal tiered space with walkways and palms. New plantings included shrubs, rosemary, birds of paradise, bougainvillea and star jasmine. Six concrete planters were added, as well as 11 cubic yards of gravel.
See more photos from this year’s show house
More: See more stories about designer showcases
Design team: Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design
Designer Ron Woodson filled the living room with eclectic furnishings. He livened up the original wood-beamed ceiling with a painted design.