Large Hollywood home with limestone cladding and double-height entertaining spaces

When a property has a dramatic outlook, be it a glittering cityscape or lush tropical garden, it makes sense to design a home that opens up to the setting effectively making the scenery part of the ambience.

This glamorous residence, created by Landry Design Group, sits high above the Sunset Strip looking to downtown Los Angeles one way and Santa Monica the other. The home is a match for the setting, and the sense of drama starts on arrival.

Approaching from the motor court, guests are greeted by an elegant, playful composition of forms and materials, says Landy Design associate William Mungall.

"The gently curved stucco and Italian limestone-clad walls provide privacy from the street while the gleaming glass stair tower acts a little like a guiding lantern," he says. "A backlit bronze-finish screen frames the central large glass entry door which offers visitors a glimpse of the city light show to be enjoyed from inside."

The house is built over three levels, stepped down the steep hillside, with the bottom level opening up to the rear yard.

The front door opens directly on to the central level with immediate views over the double-height living spaces below. A winding staircase leads down to the entertaining level in an architectural gesture worthy of the movie Sunset Boulevard.

On the mid-level, two large guest suites are separated by the entry. This floor provides a buffer between the public level below and the master suite and office which are situated on the top floor.

In terms of material continuity, the distinctive limestone cladding is repeated inside on an upper side wall in the living area, where the volume drops to one level to enclose an adjacent outdoor living area. The limestone's custom pattern is an interpretation of the texture of bamboo.

"Towards the back of the space, a long, curved Venetian plaster wall echoes the shape of the home. This signature curve becomes a theme of the house and is repeated in various areas, from exterior and interior walls to the bar island, pool and hard landscaping," says Mungall.

The highly polished plaster wall also divides the grand public space from the more intimate spaces to the rear.

In general terms, limestone and oak panelling provide the finishes in these smaller rooms. The wine bar, theatre, spa, and service quarters are all more private being tucked into the hillside while the massive great room with dining area has operable glass panels opening to the sheltered outdoor entertainment spaces, garden terraces, and the swimming pool.

To one side, the single-height kitchen has a wood ceiling and back-painted glass cabinetry that reflects the cityscape. The owners wanted the eat-in kitchen and family area to feel more intimate than the adjacent great room.

The sheltered outdoor living room, on the other side of the great room, appears just as lavish as the indoor spaces.

"Perched high on the third level, the master bedroom, ensuite and office all have breath-taking views. Designed with retractable glass walls, all these rooms open onto the long terrace," says Mungall.

The bedroom also has a skylight with mirrored sides to maximise light. This can open to the skies at the push of a button while motorised screens can be drawn when darkness is required. The glass walls can be cloaked with motorised sheers and block-out curtains, for shade and privacy.

The terrace, with comfortable seating and flickering firepit, provides a private outdoor room. Metal screens, a repeat of the finish that frames the front door, bring shade and create light play on the interior.

Several green strategies are employed throughout the residence.

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Erhard Pfeiffer