Home tour: A designer couple’s Los Angeles home with Japanese design accents

For the longest time, the Hollywood Hills have had its fair share of homes crafted in a mix of Hollywood Regency, Spanish and mid-century architectural styles. When the newer area came about in the 1960s, those of the California ranch style and mid-century hodge lodge started cropping up.

The Martins’ private residence is one of the many newer builds that defy the conventional, when they decided for the first time to build something completely from scratch, creating a modern estate mixing contemporary and mid-century architecture.

“We love the use of high ceilings, clean lines and simplicity, but a four-sided symmetrical structure can feel very much like a box,” explain the designers, whose half-acre site took three years of planning and construction. “So, we incorporated large wraparound colonnades often seen in 1960s LA architecture in both residential and commercial properties.”

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The duo opted for a muted white with tones of cream for the exterior, which softens the columns in direct sunlight, while concealing a series of interconnecting terraces for the three guest rooms on the second floor, fitted with Hinoki-inspired wood panelling, creating privacy and pure separation.

From there, the landscaping minimises some of the volume with its Japanese pines and manicured garden, offering further seclusion for the ultra-private architectural compound.

“Some of the newer homes [in the area] are truly extraordinary, and have architectural prowess with heavyweights like Yabu Pushelberg, William Hefner, Woods + Dangaran,” comment the Martins. “Having completed two properties within this private area of just 100 homes, we hope the exterior style of our house stands up to these heavyweights.”

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“A house should never look new on the outside. We mitigate that by playing into mid-century details and original design where possible,” the duo elaborate. “Balancing old and new, and taking the best of the past and using it to create new, exciting living spaces that feel contemporary and timeless at the same time.” 

The cobbled driveway leads to the 8,325 sq ft site surrounded by a quarried limestone promenade that makes up the front walkway and entry approach into the voluminous contemporary architecture.

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A pair of late 19th century Japanese settee chairs at the entryway are precursors to the abstract shapes and textured furnishings within.

Sourced predominantly in Tokyo from local purveyors, stores and monthly flea markets, the accents of antiquarian Japan–antique pottery, 19th century bronzes and clay collectibles–convey an Eastern aesthetic to the custom designed furniture by Arya and Michael, and their own private art pieces.

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The structured setting opens up to an indoor-outdoor atrium decorated with mid-century club chairs in camel mohair and a 19th century Oushak rug. The statement staircase underneath the 13-foot ceiling provides a semi-partition between the zen indoor garden in the middle of the house, and the expansive backyard through the 40-foot metal doors pocket.

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Here, the zero-edge pool and 12-person spa anchors a private dining garden framed by citrus trees, consisting of a travertine dining table next to a 15-foot fireplace against a spectacular granite rock backdrop inspired by the Amangiri in Utah.

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Against monotone taupe plaster walls with a matte finish, an interior palette of warm woods exudes a mid-century feel through the white oak panelled media room and complementing oak wood flooring.

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Whereas, hints of natural stone radiate warmth. The living room fireplace carved from a two-ton block of Paloma Limestone from Italy took 16 men to assemble on-site; while varying hints of Calacatta marble in the kitchen, living room bar and powder room culminates in the main bathroom spa suite of full slab Calacatta Monet from Italy.

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“Midway through the project, we decided to add a main bathroom spa suite on the rear main bedroom terrace [facing the rocky Hollywood hillside],” the Studio OSKLO duo say. “The oversized skylight, outdoor steam shower, soaking tub and 15-foot metal-clad fireplace–they evoke an unmatched sensuality better than any outdoor scene we’ve experienced, even at an Aman.”

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