Home tour: A mindful restoration of a mid-century home in Los Angeles with relaxed Palm Springs vibes

Though the home–originally built in 1963–was barely visible from the street, it exuded a charm beloved in this city of mid-century masters like Richard Neutra and John Lautner, and Bakva immediately recognised the opportunity to restore the property and breathe new life and soul into it.

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“Its exterior brick wall evoked the elegance of a Palm Springs estate that Frank Sinatra might have called home,” he recalls. “The poured terrazzo entry harkened back to a bygone era, and the kidney-shaped pool felt like something lifted straight from a Slim Aarons photograph.”

“The lime green carpet had certainly seen better days and the floor plan needed modernising, but the essence of a home with history was unmistakable–an architectural time capsule waiting to be uncovered and reimagined for the present day,” he adds.

The single-storey home spans 3,488 sq ft and features a formal entryway, formal living room, open-style dining area and chef’s kitchen, as well as a lounge with wet bar. Five bedrooms–four positioned on the north side and one on the south–complement four-and-a-half bathrooms in the residence.

“Mid-century design, while iconic, can sometimes feel dated, so striking a balance between honouring the original details and ensuring the home feels relevant today was essential,” Bakva explains.

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In that spirit, the interior designer drew inspiration from a wide variety of sources, ranging from the iconic Case Study Houses of Los Angeles to today’s leading architects, developers and designers who expertly restore mid-century properties.

“Influences from firms like Woods + Dangaran, SIMO Design, and Studio Shamshiri were particularly instrumental in guiding the thoughtful restoration and modern reinvention of the home,” he continues.

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Mirroring the white exterior brick walls, the interior palette remains primarily off-white with deeper accents ranging from beige to dark brown. To instill a strong yet understated and unpretentious presence throughout the home, Bakva selected white oak millwork combined with various natural stones, complemented by brass fixtures and honed surfaces for tactile refinement.

“These neutral shades establish a calm and inviting foundation, while pops of colour–such as pinks and reds–add subtle moments of interest,” he elaborates.

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This approach becomes evident upon entering the grand entryway, where original terrazzo flooring meets white oak panelling. Vintage Italian Murano glass sconces flank a vibrant artwork by Belgian artist Steve Dix, while at the built-in seating nook, self-taught Polish painter Magdalena Shummer-Fangor’s artwork takes precedence.

Moving into the formal living room, American contemporary artist Dané Estes’ large-format artwork commands attention, while the brick-walled fireplace provides a distinctive transition into the adjacent dining and kitchen areas.

Here, a Noguchi Japanese lantern suspends above the wooden dining table, whereas custom oak cabinetry lines the chef’s kitchen, as a spacious Bronze Fantasy marble island hosts everyday dining with seating for up to six people.

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Natural light streaming through sliding glass doors bounces off lime-washed walls throughout these communal spaces, offering views of the large private yard where the kidney-shaped saltwater pool and spa evoke the feeling of a Southern California resort.

“I wanted the atmosphere to feel relaxed, warm, and almost calming—a place where you can equally unwind and recharge or entertain and explore,” Bakva says. “This was achieved primarily through deep connection to nature, visible from every room, where expansive walls of pocketing doors allow seamless indoor-outdoor living.”

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The serene ambiance extends into the primary suite, which features a formal foyer and designated access to the side yard. The space has also been modernised with a boutique-inspired walk-in closet and vestibule featuring soft pink lime-washed walls that bring warmth and character.

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“The primary bedroom originally featured a series of sliding closet doors with limited storage, which felt underwhelming for a home of this size and calibre,” Bakva recalls. "We narrowed the terrazzo foyer, relocated the bar area, and created a vestibule that now serves as a dressing room.”

“While substantial engineering was required, this transformation was crucial in bringing the home up to modern expectations without losing its original character,” he adds.

Another original feature Bakva preserved is the sunken bathtub in the primary bathroom–an element often removed because it’s considered outdated. Instead, he converted it into a sunken shower adorned with soft Ceppo marble, echoing the terrazzo flooring in the foyer while maintaining a cohesive, retro-modern style.

Additionally, rather than traditional tiles, the bathroom walls are clad with hand-finished Portola Paint micro-cement, offering a sophisticated, understated look that feels both contemporary and worldly.

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