While the all-white look was noted recently by some interior designers as a "trend to skip" in 2019, we're just going to have to agree to disagree. Because it's as Leanne Ford says "white is universal. It's forever." And we simply couldn't agree more. Case in point, this classic Spanish-style bungalow in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Built in 1925, Kerry Vasquez of Kerry Vasquez Design wanted to honor the spirit of the home while updating it to feel modern.
"We used mostly a lighter, more neutral palette to achieve this as well as choosing furniture with classic yet very clean lines," she tells me. "I also wanted to utilize materials that were either already present in the home, like bronze, or that would be typically found in such a style home, like linen, leather, natural woods, and ceramics." Vasquez had $120,000 to spend on the décor and furniture for this makeover and ahead she takes us through each room to share how she styled each space.
It's not hard to see that the soul of this house is the living room. What is difficult to see from photos is the vaulted arched ceiling which Vasquez says creates such a beautiful sense of scale. "Most of the house is quite dark as it has gorgeous nearly hundred-year-old privacy shrubbery," she notes. "But the living room gets lots of beautiful natural light. I wanted to accentuate this feature by creating a lighter color palette."
Vasquez also wanted the home to feel as if the pieces they chose had always been there. "I wanted either a piece that had an antique feeling to them or ones that would patina nicely over time," she explains.
Surprisingly, one of the more difficult aspects of the living room ended up being the pillows, well, finding the right ones that fit couches. "Mixing the right neutral patterns and fabrics was a bit of a scavenger hunt but I think very successful in the end," she adds.
Because the house can be dark, Vasquez wanted to keep the palette light and neutral. "I thought this would also update the home nicely because the garden is such a strong element of the home," she says. "When we did use color, we opted for natural hues like dark green, terra cotta and a range of blues."
During the design process, Vasquez discovered two new companies which she is now obsessed with: Australian company, Armadillo & Co. for rugs, and Eco Outdoor for outdoor chic furniture. "Personally, I am obsessed with the floor lamp in the Living Room and want to use it in my own home," she says.
The entryway is kept fairly simple and clutter-free with a mid-century bench from West Elm and a throw pillow that set the tone for the rest of the house.
Open-plan living spaces can be tricky but Vasquez nailed this by incorporating a palette for each that compliment each other. The all-white living room blends seamlessly into the terra-cotta dining room.
To keep the all-white look warm and visually interesting, Vasquez mixed in varying materials, fabrics, and surfaces to add texture.
Layering is also key to a monochrome room and we love the use of varying heights here from the coffee table to the side table and floor lamp.
For the dining room, Vasquez wanted to lean into the terra cotta inspired flooring in the kitchen, which is visible from the space. "This element felt essential to the home and I wanted to incorporate the color with the rug and warm leather of the chairs," she says. "I also wanted to make sure to utilize natural iron or bronze throughout the home but in an updated way." The table lamp, ceiling fixture, and curtain rods were a simple way to infuse this.
Vasquez describes her style as eclectically modern. "I like every room to feel like a curated collection of items that seem like they may have always been there—timeless and fresh at the same time," she says.
The neutral color scheme runs through the house and into the primary bedroom. Here, Vasquez wanted to evoke a romantic feel, inspired by the beautiful garden outside.
Primary Bedroom
The term "Primary Bedroom" is now widely used to describe the largest bedroom in the home, as it better reflects the space’s purpose. Many realtors, architects, interior designers, and the Real Estate Standards Association have recognized the potentially discriminatory connotations in the term "Master." Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge.
The simplicity of the nightstand styling proves this bedroom has one purpose: slumber.
The tiling of this bathroom harks back to its 1920s era but the black and white color scheme bring it firmly into the modern age.
The guest bedroom was designed with color and flair since its main guests would be the client's young grandchildren. "We ended up finding the artwork from Serena & Lily and I couldn’t be happier with how they make the whole room pop," says Vasquez.
Despite the bright colors, Vasquez still managed to keep it in theme with the rest of the house adding mid-century vintage pieces into the mix.
The media room takes a turn from neutral into a darker palette. "We wanted this room to feel a bit moodier and mid-century," she says. "The client had already chosen the gorgeous Farrow & Ball wall color Green Smoke which I am now obsessed with."
When it came to buying pieces for the media room, the first stop was Vasquez's favorite mid-century store in Los Angeles, Sunbeam Vintage where they sourced the side tables and the desk.
Despite the dark walls, the windows provide ample light to fill the room.
The pool area is elevated with these stylish Knoll chaise chairs. Don't you just want to lay here in the sun all day?