Home tour: a restored mid-century home in Los Angeles, California, infused with playful elegance

In line with Kappe’s original design, the California home maintains a sunken living room. This creates a sense of enclosed comfort, while providing views of the back deck along the rear of the Santa Monica property. Underfoot, there is wall-to-wall natural sisal carpet, while the sofa is clad in checkered linen fabric. Meanwhile, a pair of vintage modernist lounge chairs in black-and-white striped cotton twill with mahogany frames are upholstered in Dedar Stripes. 

Other notable furniture pieces include a Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen Kings Series daybed for Botium, while a Rose Uniacke ottoman in chartreuse linen introduces a note of unexpected colour. To create an altogether contemplative scene, a Noguchi Akari floor globe by the fireplace softly illuminates the vintage Scandinavian teak nesting tables and an antique carved wooden pedestal side table.

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Moving onto the dining area, Martin Visser rush and wenge chairs for T Spectrum surround the clients’ existing dining table, where family and friends gather for a delicious meal. A pair of heirloom Sheraton-style armchairs flank a custom contemporary walnut credenza, which has white-and-yellow lacquered sliding doors in the manner of Charlotte Perriand. Atop it stands a Polinnia table lamp by Studio BBPR for Artemide, a 1964 piece that brings Italian modernist flair to the composition.  

The nearby kitchen is managed on two levels, with the chef’s kitchen proper giving onto a split-level home office below. Bassam Fellows counter stools with chrome bases and chocolate brown leather seats line the island, while a Vallauris Lava vase stands in the middle of the scene. Above hang vintage Dutch Philips Locarno pendant lamps, made of black metal cylinders with opaline glass and a copper finish, which the couple sourced at Marché Paulbert in Paris. 

Nestled in the breakfast nook are Guillerme et Chambron chairs in carved wood with saddle leather, a French set from 1961, around a Saarinen oval marble table. The space is softly lit by an Ingo Maurer Uchiwa pendant light, created in Germany in the early 1970s. To further blend elements of the east and the west, the area features an early 20th-century English buffet made of bamboo, with floral painted decorations that add undeniable elegance to the space. 

Mere steps from the kitchen are the home office and mudroom. Painted in a cheerful, light blue hue, the space is just as functional as it is charming, with the cork flooring underfoot. A large walnut writing desk handmade in Poland by Pokojscy Studio anchors the room, with an Atelier Henri Dejeant recycled papier-mâché lamp on top of it. To add some rustic charm, there is a Giancarlo Valle Big Buds handmade wool rug in red for an unexpected pop of colour. Lining the walls are the homeowners’ personal art pieces, mixed with family photographs to further personalise the abode.

Beyond the more public-facing areas of the home, the primary bedroom is an undeniable sanctuary. The custom king bed was designed by West Haddon Hall, upholstered in Antoinette Poisson linen fabric. On either side of the bed stand Ash nightstands by Kalon Studios, while a Bertoia teak bench by Knoll sits at its foot. 

For cosy moments of contemplation, a Sullivan armchair by West Haddon Hall is clad in Moore & Giles curly shearling in toast, while a Blu Dot solid acacia side table occupies one corner. Atop the original hardwood parquet stands a Chiltern handmade rug by Jake Arnold for Lulu and Georgia. Nearby, the primary bathroom features Kappe’s original hardware panelling and a Fireclay ceramic tile floor, with a soaking tub that has undisturbed views of a private interior courtyard. 

Undeniably, one of the most inventive spaces in the home is the secondary bedroom. Built-in bed nooks are fitted with custom curtains in Decors Barbares Les Groseilles in purple and green, providing privacy for each of the homeowners’ children. A Charlotte Perriand pine stool serves as a nightstand, while a 1960s Swedish desktop light by Hans-Agne Jakobsson creates the perfect ambience to unwind after a long day. The room even features a built-in window seat cushioned with linen and custom mohair back cushions and throw pillows.  

Throughout the home, Driver wove together the elements of Ray Kappe’s original structure with a commitment to modern sustainability. Using vintage pieces, non-toxic paint and organic foam for the upholstery, she ensured that the home can continue to stand the test of time. The unique puzzle pieces of this California home pay homage to the past while looking fondly towards the bright future, ensuring this property is deeply loved no matter whose hands it may be in now. 

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