This weekend I was digging for landscape inspiration on Pinterest when I stumbled upon this jaw dropping 1930s Colonial Revival located in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Originally designed by the illustrious Paul Williams, the home had been badly neglected over the years until architect Richard Manion, interior designer Craig Wright, and landscape architect Daniel Busbin brought it back to life.
They expanded the house and restored the original Moderne interiors with Art Deco furnishings exuding elegance and grace. Influenced by 1930s Hollywood glamour, they brought back white-painted brickwork, Chippendale-style railings and decorative details from the streamlined era. Featured in Architectural Digest, the 11,329 square foot, 7 bedroom, 11 bathroom manse is situated on one acre of exclusive land, and it was listed for sale in 2011. Today’s tour includes images from Manion’s website and from the old real estate listing as captured by Pricey Pads.
I also enjoyed learning about Paul Williams, one of the most celebrated architects of his generation and the first African-American member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams designed over 3,000 projects, including the Jet Age Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, Saks Fifth Avenue, and W. & J. Sloane’s department stores in Beverly Hills, the famous Beverly Hills and Ambassador hotels, and restaurants including Chasen’s and Perino’s. He also designed mansions for Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Tyrone Power, William “Bojangles” Robinson, Lon Chaney, and other entertainers. Let’s take a tour of this spectacular masterpiece!
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Paul Williams was in my opinion the very best architect. Traditional yet innovative his proportions were and are glorious. When I was single in Beverly Hills I had the enormous pleasure of living in a Paul Williams apartment. It was my favorite ever and everybody wanted to come over to just be inside. I think he put special love into each of his designs making them happy and beautiful – no matter how you decorated. His granddaughter who wrote the book about him is wonderful as well.
Like Mark Sikes keeps saying, “beauty can save the world!”
Splendid! So nice to see when someone actually does justice to a property and understands it. And what a house! I had that dressing table in my Pinterest board for a few years now, but should have looked further at the rest of the property. Amazing.
Fab.U.Lous. Especially love the black and white exterior and garden!
I love your blog. You always have the prettiest of the prettiest!!!!! Hope you are safe and well!
J
Joni,
This is the ultimate compliment coming from you, I am a HUGE fan of your blog as well!! 🙂 Thank you for the kind words!
Xx,
Andrea
The Glam Pad
Beautiful. And understood by the current owners, or so it seems. Contrast this house with the Bel Air Paul Williams in this month’s Elle Decor whose owner likes “minimalism.” Ugh. Ruined. I say if you want new buy new! But save the classic best for the rest of us!