California Coast Meets French Countryside in This Los Feliz Home

In a city that’s known for its bright stars’ shine, the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Feliz proves that celebrity isn’t the only local institution capturing the spotlight. Los Angeles, California, boasts an architecture as infamous as some of its residents. One such case is this Nottingham Avenue Residence originally built in 1950 by famed local architect Arthur Kelly who designed some 500 structures spanning his career, which includes the Arthur Letts Estate, better known as The Playboy Mansion. While not nearly as notorious, this development project inspired JD Irpino, the founder and principal of Louis & Rose, to become the steward of this home shepherding it into a modern era of ownership. Irpino’s practice is responsible for the thoughtful restoration and redesign, with architecture by Office of Jonathan Tate and an art collection curated by Brian Ludlow and his team at Creative Art Partners.

Spacious living room with a large window, featuring a beige sofa, lounge chair, and a wooden table.

A modern living room featuring large windows, cream sofas, and wooden chairs surrounds a circular coffee table. In the background, the dining area boasts floral wallpaper.

A modern living room with a marble fireplace, abstract art above, wooden furniture, a large potted plant, and a round coffee table on a rug creates an inviting atmosphere.

The house, while impressive, had fallen victim to a smattering of nonsensical renovations, became hidden by a wall of sweeping greens, and languished in disrepair on its near half-acre lot. “The street has a special flow with a beautiful blend of architectural homes. And the property was clearly filled with potential waiting to be restored and reimagined,” Irpino says. “After our first showing, I decided it was an incredible opportunity to reimagine the home and the grounds.”

A spacious living room with a curved sofa, wooden coffee table, two chairs, and a view of the dining area and staircase. The light walls and decor create an inviting atmosphere reminiscent of warm hospitality.

The dining room features a wooden table and chairs, complemented by light wood herringbone floors. Floral wallpaper and white walls create an elegant backdrop, while a pendant light casts a warm glow, completing the inviting ambiance.

Situated in such a hip enclave, it’s the ideal dwelling for homeowners who enjoy playing host and have a passion for entertaining.The revitalized property boasts a swimming pool and spa, generous backyard with an abundance of ficus hedges and olive trees, and the now roughly 5,100-square-foot, two-story structure.

The dining room, adorned with wooden table and chairs, features floral wallpaper and offers a charming view into the kitchen and living area. Stairs are visible to the right, adding a touch of elegance reminiscent of classic design.

A dining room with a wooden table and elegant gold chairs, adjacent to a kitchen and living area. The space exudes charm, with floral wallpaper and a large window bathing everything in rosy natural light.

Minimalist dining area with a round black table, white chairs, and a rose centerpiece. Two wall artworks and a large window with a view of greenery complete the space, adding an elegant touch.

The central portion of the ground floor’s open-plan comprises formal great and dining rooms, an eat-in kitchen with breakfast nook, library, laundry, and family room, book-ended by an ensuite bedroom and guest quarters. Upstairs, three more ensuite bedrooms can be found adjacent to a private den outfitted with built-ins.

Modern kitchen with a marble backsplash and stainless steel fridge. Wooden cabinets add warmth, while four stools line the island with a countertop matching the elegant backsplash.

A modern kitchen featuring a marble island and backsplash, wooden cabinets, and four stools awaits. A large window provides views of the lush greenery outside.

A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, marble countertops, and a stainless steel refrigerator creates a sleek space for culinary adventures.

“The ground floor is a unique combination of expansive, open space along with individual rooms for people to enjoy in communal settings or privately,” Irpino describes.

Spacious open-plan dining and living area with wood flooring, large windows, and a view of a lush garden.

A stairwell with a hanging black pendant light, slanted ceiling, and wooden door features a floral painting. Sunlight creates diagonal shadows on the white walls.

The interior spaces marry aesthetics typical of the Southern California lifestyle with elegant elements plucked from the French countryside. Walls are awash in a soft color palette with pops of blue and green while others are accented using Calacatta marble and wood paneling, which imbues the home with that intangible California-cool essence.

Staircase with wooden steps and metal railing, adjacent to a large floral painting of roses. Natural light from a window casts delicate shadows on the wall and floor.

Cozy attic bedroom with a sloped ceiling, featuring a bed, a painting by Louis on the wall, a window with a view of trees, and charming touches like a small table and wooden desk.

A sunlit bedroom with a large window showcases a bed, chair, and artwork on the wall. A striped rug covers the wooden floor, weaving together the serene ambiance.

A cozy room with beige sofas and a wooden table, where a red painting by Louis adds a touch of elegance. A potted rose plant sits on the table near a window, offering a view of lush greenery.

Local flare is further celebrated using natural woven work from Gregorius Pineo. European sensibilities permeate throughout with artful selections from textile maison Pierre Frey, fun floral paper from luxury brand House of Hackney, and vintage lighting sourced from JF Chen and Galerie Half.

A cozy attic reading nook features a cushioned bench with pillows and a blanket, surrounded by bookshelves. Two nature-themed paintings and a wall lamp decorate the slanted wooden wall.

Luxurious bathroom with marble walls and ceiling, a large glass shower door, and a small window overlooking the serene Rose garden.

Bathroom with a marble sink, a round window, and a potted plant. Framed artwork complements the textured walls, adding an elegant touch.

Custom fabricated steel windows and doors open onto the grounds and invite an abundance of natural light in while blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor programming for a fully al fresco feeling. Matte surfaces and honed finishes further enhance this sense of ease.

The laundry room, a charming space features a sink, white cabinets, and a sleek black washer and dryer. The walls are adorned with floral wallpaper, and a rustic wooden bowl rests elegantly on the counter.

With an objective to honor the original architecture through contemporary interventions, Irpino has passed the awesome responsibility on to new owners who will appreciate the significance of its existence. “I’d always loved the neighborhood and the street,” he adds. “The possibilities of restoring an Arthur Kelly home was very exciting as were the possibilities such a large property on a signature street afforded.”

A small bathroom with a wooden vanity and marble countertop. A mirror is above the sink, and a window on the right offers a view of greenery outside. To the left, a toilet is partially visible next to a plant.

A modern living room features a beige sectional sofa and a white armchair, with large glass doors opening to a lush green lawn.

Modern living room with a marble fireplace, light wood flooring, and a round table adorned with decorative items.

The bedroom, with its wooden walls and ceiling, features a bed draped in beige linens. Flanking each side are two bedside tables with lamps. A chair sits by the large window offering serene views of the outdoors.