Ome Dezin's Reimagination of a Whitney R. Smith Residence in the Hollywood Hills
Harmonizing Heritage with Modern Sensibility
Preserving Architectural Integrity: A Dialogue with Design
Within The Colony, a secluded Hollywood Hills community renowned for its preserved mid-century homes, a 1960 residence designed by Whitney R. Smith, a notable Case Study House architect, stands as a testament to purposeful design. Smith, a pioneer of Southern California modernism, masterfully used architectural elements like sawtooth ceilings and sharp angles to harness natural light. Ome Dezin's approach to this restoration was less about a complete overhaul and more about a respectful collaboration with the existing intelligent design.
The Art of Subtraction: Recovering Original Grandeur
The design team at Ome Dezin quickly understood the profound influence of the original architecture. Their work became an exercise in careful restraint, recognizing that previous renovations in the 1980s and 1990s had obscured the home's intrinsic character. The process involved meticulous subtraction as much as thoughtful addition, focusing on re-establishing harmonious proportions, optimizing spatial flow, and resisting the urge to over-design. Key original features, such as the distinctive spiral staircase, the impressive ceiling heights, and the structural rhythm, were meticulously retained, not reimagined.
A Palette of Warmth: Sculptural Drama Meets Serenity
The interior design employs a rich and grounded color scheme, featuring deep woods, textured plaster, and subtle tonal stone. This carefully selected palette provides a counterpoint to the sculptural dynamism of the architecture. The spiral staircase emerges as a focal point, its graceful curve culminating in a striking red underside. This bold graphic element is set against serene surfaces, creating a captivating visual contrast. A grand pivot door gracefully opens into a double-height foyer, where the expansive gallery-like dimensions and the unique sawtooth ceiling orchestrate a dramatic influx of natural light.
Milanese Inspiration: Controlled Luxury and Composure
Ome Dezin drew inspiration from the elegant aesthetic of Milan, particularly from Piero Portaluppi's 1930s Villa Necchi Campiglio. This iconic villa is celebrated for its lacquered surfaces, refined luxury, and spaces that exude an enduring sense of composure. This sensibility is evident in the home's sophisticated color combinations and the selection of low, structured furniture pieces, sourced from distinguished brands such as Dusty Deco, Made by Choice, NO GA, and Kallemo.
Mid-Century Optimism: Vibrant Hues and Minimalist Serenity
A shared bathroom in the second wing embraces a vivid lemony yellow, with copper accents and glass bricks evoking the optimistic spirit of the mid-century era, rather than merely imitating it. In contrast, the primary suite, boasting original high ceilings and a loft-like spaciousness, opts for a minimalist tranquility, with its bathroom offering an unobstructed view of the surrounding hills above the vanity. Graphic artworks from Creative Art Partners intermittently punctuate this otherwise calm and cohesive design.