Balancing Hers and His Style
It is a classic design dilemma — a few is prepared to make a house a home, only to discover their styles couldn’t be more distinct. When this Beverly Hills family of three was prepared to construct their dream home, they recruited architect and interior designer Tim Barber to create a cozy but spacious home that will balance her love for contemporary and also his love of traditional. “She is a really devout modernist, and he’s a really devout traditionalist,” Barber says. “So the inside layout was all about mixing the two.”
The couple already had a house on this lot in Benedict Canyon, close to downtown Beverly Hills. Although they originally wanted to remodel, they soon realized what they wanted required them to begin over. Barber demolished the first structure and functioned from the bottom up, designing a bright and open home that embraces the outside — and the couple’s reverse styles.
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
Despite their differences in style, the couple agreed they needed a home that sensed open, clean, bright and comfortable. Barber frequently played more traditional fabrics with simple and contemporary furniture lines to integrate the husband and wife’s style sensibilities. However there were chambers that played toward a single aesthetic — such as the spouse’s study here. While the colour palette and feel ties this room to the remainder of the home, it’s decidedly more contemporary than the primary living spaces.
Wall colour: Benjamin Moore Chelsea Grey
Rug: Flokati from Aga John
Sofa: Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
“In the marriage of design and interiors in the home, the design is restrained while the insides let loose a little,” Barber says. The family needed an East Coast vibe outside, so Barber designed a shingled exterior and put in a slate roof. The slate roof is made of marginally smaller pieces than normal, reducing its weight. This stone roofing is fairly typical in Los Angeles because it will work well with temperature extremes.
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
“You need to make the most of the outside when you reside in Southern California,” Barber says. “I love to encourage people to go outside.” To create a substantial garden space, Barber pulled the house closer to the road. This allows for a closed front for privacy and room in front for a pool, patio and spacious yard.
Like most Southern California hillsides, this specific area is part of a fire pit, therefore wood homes aren’t permitted. Barber used man-made shingles for fire protection on the exterior, but worked together with the spacing and robes of every piece to make it look as natural as possible. The chimneys are made of a lightweight manmade stone product to take additional weight from the roof.
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
Emphasizing the organic light in this home was among Barber’s most significant priorities. At the end of every hallway, a wood window in the ceiling lets sunshine into the entry hall and foyer. Barber also put windows in any place that made sense, and designed every single window to be taller and higher. “I was looking for any way I could sneak light in,” he says.
Pendant: Custom designed by TimBarber Ltd
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
The living room is the ideal representation of their homeowners’ drastically different styles. Each piece is a delicate balance of shape and colours that reflect numerous appearances. The customers wanted something which could make a statement, so that he developed this elegant seat design as a means to divide two parts of the living room. “Ultimately when a house has a certain personality, you become inspired to produce things,” he says.
Chair: A.Rudin in Laura Ashley Hemp
Arm chairs and coffee table: habit Tim Barber Ltd
Rug: layout by Tim Barber Ltd, made by Stark Carpet
Drapes: habit, cloth from Kravet; trim by Samuel & Sons Greek Key; components from Orion in Brushed Nickel
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
A sitting area in the foyer invites the family members and guests to sit and revel in the backyard view. The blue Tufenkian rug complements the teal-toned doors, and a lavish custom made loveseat was embellished with cushions that highlight the colours in the rug and the wall art.
Rug: Tufenkian Implied Damask Midnight; loveseat: Custom Tim Barber Ltd; table: Antique from Novecento in Los Angeles
The husband likes to cook, so he wanted Barber to pull out all of the stops in the kitchen’s layout. “They let me play virtually every trick I’ve learned when it comes to kitchens,” Barber says. He installed a deep fryer beside the induction stovetop, pull-out shelving, spice and can racks, divided drawers and an extra-large refrigerator.
Countertops: Absolute black granite on island, Carrara Marble on countertops
Cabinetry: Lotus Woodworking, Canoga Park, Calif..
Backsplash: American Slate, Cloud Green & China Grey
Pendants: Antique, Blend Interiors
Barstool: Design Within Reach, Kyoto Counter Stools
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
A breakfast nook off the kitchen is the perfect casual eat-in space for your household. A custom-designed table and cushions lend a personal touch to the cheery, sun-drenched place.
Chairs: Hickory Chair
Pillows: habit, made from Raoul Fabrics and Peter Dunham Textiles
Lighting fixture: customer’s existing fixture
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
The simple furniture within this space speaks to both a traditional and contemporary decorative, but the vivid colors definitely produce the dining room feel much more contemporary. Customized leather chairs lend a touch of luxury, but the pendants have been bought at Restoration Hardware. “There are not a great deal of valuable pieces. We customized a great deal of furniture, however it’s mixed right in with store-bought pieces also,” Barber says.
Chairs: habit Tim Barber Ltd in Duralee Leather; de endants: Restoration Hardware; table: customer’s present, classic; wall colour: Benjamin Moore Quincy Tan
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
The son’s playful but sophisticated suite is Barber’s beloved part of the home. Blue-toned map background includes a fun but timeless quality, and dark blue and brown fabrics complete the colour scheme. Rather than a typical workplace setup, Barber chose the son’s multitasking personality into account and created three individual workspaces for him. This way, he can work on multiple projects at once and divide desk space up based on action.
Wallpaper: Hinson Blue/White Map; desk chairs: CB2; window treatments: habit by Valley Drapery, LA
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
The high ceilings and beautiful windows in the boy’s toilet allow it to be another of Barber’s beloved rooms. Natural light reflects from honed Carrara marble counter tops, while simple steel sconces keep the room lit up in the night.
Floors: Hex Carrara Mosaic by Walker Zanger, Mini Brick Marble tile by Walker Zanger in Flat Iron Grey
Countertops: Satin Honed Carrara Marble
Sconces: Restoration Hardware
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
Soft grays and browns tie the calming guest bedroom to the rest of the house’s decor, while clean furniture lines and much more traditional fabrics represent Barber’s approach to the couple of distinct styles. Hotel-style bedding retains the room looking clean and fresh, even though a blend of textures in the accents warms up it and gives it a contemporary flair.
Bed frame: habit Tim Barber Ltd
Mirrors: Carvers Guild
Nightstand: Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams
Interior colour: Benjamin Moore Grey Owl
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
The master bathroom is a place of pure serenity. Soft white marble countertops and floors contrasts with the dark dressing table. Custom mirrors were set up with added storage and stainless steel pendants and sconces add a touch of glamour.
Shower: Custom Mosaic using Walker Zanger Carrara, Flat Iron and Thassos
Countertops: Honed Carrara Marble
Tim Barber Ltd Architecture
A pub, lounge and media room were united into a multidimensional entertaining space. The pub is the perfect place to serve after-dinner drinks, and the pool table and press room supply entertainment for adults and kids.
The cellar of the house carries a pantry and a garage, with an elevator leading to the additional floors — a fantastic way to make carrying bundles in and outside of the car somewhat simpler.
Barstools: Hancock & Moore, fabric Pindler & Pindler
Pendant: Urban Electric, Carlyn Fixture
Photography by Karyn Millet
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