Interview} John Russo
Photographs by} John Russo
Hair & Makeup} Beauty by Sole
Andalusia Project by Erinn V. Design Group
JR: What was your design aesthetic for this property?
EV: Since this is an equestrian property, I wanted the home to have an old-world charm and feel like a European Ranch property. I wanted a relaxed, warm vibe. Having a vision and a descriptive sentence or two picked out for the project of how you want it to feel before you start designing really helps guide your future decisions. I then pull key images that help communicate the feelings I want in each space and go from there to find elements that echo that design intent.
JR: How did you conceptually approach the remodel?
EV: When I walk through a new project, first, I think about function and my three key elements for each space: “height, light, and views.” Does this room function well for what it’s intended for? Are there nice tall windows bringing in lots of light? If not, can we fix that. Are there great views hidden by a wall where there should be a window? The answer to that last one was yes! This home had huge walls with no windows, yet on the other side of that wall was a gorgeous garden and mountain views. So, I added about 12 new windows to this home. I raised the door heights in the 2nd-floor hall so it felt more grand. There were also a lot of “boulders” and cobblestones if you will all over this house inside and out- it was just strange. I removed nearly all of those as they didn’t fit with my “European farmhouse/relaxed elegance” aesthetic, and they felt fake…like a Disneyland version of something.
JR: What palette was chosen and why?
EV: For this home, I wanted to go classic: white, black, and light wood with accents of old brass. I love light natural wood- anytime that’s used on the floors, a ceiling, in hand-hewn beams, etc. It’s just so warm and chic. In a modern context or a warmer, more traditional design. So, knowing that was going to be my floor color, I used that same wood tone throughout the home in different ways to tie it all together- when I ordered new taller doors for the 2nd-floor landing, I chose white oak and stained them light. I ordered hand-hewn box beams for the family room to cover up the steel posts in the same color to add that old farmhouse charm. I added a pine plank wood ceiling to the old dining room that I converted to an office and ordered the natural pine cabinets I designed in a light natural finish, reminiscent of what an old farmhouse finish would have been. Otherwise, the house is very warm white- Benjamin Moore’s White Down CC-50 flat. The exterior had been orange, so I painted it a warmer white than the interior as to limit the harsh reflection from the sun: White Sand OC-10 flat. I like Grant Beige HC-83 Low-Sheen on my interior doors to warm up the house and make it feel special. I am completely obsessed with a plaster finish- and to get that without the hassle or sheen of Venetian Plaster, I used Portola Paints Roman Clay in “Brooks” throughout the master suite on the walls and ceiling and in the color “Jacket” in the study. Then, to bring in the dark tones- most of my accents are a warm dark metal- in the drapery hardware or in the Linc Thelen dark oil painting in the entry, most of the light fixtures are Oil Rubbed Bronze or unlacquered brass. I chose textured dark light fixtures for the entry and living room to bring in that casual ranch vibes and paired that with white and black and natural wood furnishings throughout.
JR: What materials were used in the remodel?
- Rohl fixtures in Master bath and shower. I love the Edwardian collection from Rohl. They are timeless and warm, especially in unlacquered brass!
- Artistic Tile Tumbled Arabescato 4×12. I have used Tumbled stone tile throughout the house- it brings in warmth and history instantly. This tumbled Arabescato from Artistic Tile is a favorite. I used it in the master shower, toilet room heated floor and the powder room floor for some consistency throughout he home.
- Viking– We had Viking appliances in the kitchen already, and they were still in great shape so I brought in a new black glass induction cooktop from Viking because it blended away into the black marble countertops. Induction cooking is very precise which helps take the guesswork out of it, but the biggest draw for me is how easy it is to clean!
- Monogram– One of my favorite new additions to this kitchen is the Monogram wine sommelier. This not only has plenty of wine storage up top, but has a small freezer drawer for ice or vodka, and then a large drawer at the bottom that can be a fridge for beverages or additional freezer drawer. Genius!
- HydroSytems Versailles 7242- When it comes to choosing a bathtub, HydroSystems is a great choice. This tub is 72” long, and has all the elements you’d want in a tub- it keeps the water warm and has jets. Magic!
- The Stone Industry- I often get asked where I shop for stone slabs in LA- and my first stop is The Stone Industry for their great selection and for the honed and leathered finishes I love so much. Their in-house fabrication shop, RealStone, makes the process so easy. They did a “brushed matte” finish on my slabs that I just love- you can feel the veins in the stone as you run your hands on them. They did my specialty edge details and fireplace surrounds really well.
- Baldwin– You’ll see my collection with Baldwin throughout the house. I used unlacquered brass in some rooms on the Hollywood Hills door knobs (in the small size), and some in Oil Rubbed Bronze. I used the tall rosette and the medium rectangle rosettes for a special look. I like to mix up the metal finishes in a home so it doesn’t all feel to matchy matchy. I used the small knobs in the Hollywood Hills cabinet hardware in many colors as well throughout.
- Fire Magic- In California, outdoor living is at its best. I chose a glass-front BBQ from FireMagic, a local company. They make the best top quality outdoor grills.
To learn more about Erinn follow her at @erinnvstyle