The project is a transformation of a 1950s three-bedroom tract house in the Hollywood Hills into a modern guest house and office. As part of this renovation and addition, Chu ¬ Gooding created connections and design responses to the surrounding landscape — and designed an interior environment with a material and color palette inspired by the canyon context.
One design challenge was to impart the structure with a reinterpreted sense of scale that defines the realms of activity within an open floor plan. This was primarily achieved in the sectional modulation of ceiling heights and valances. Nuanced design in materials, colors, and details further enhanced these distinctions.
Another part of the unifying design solution is the use of dark walnut flooring throughout the living areas. From this shared floor plane, the main living area is mostly defined by a surround of olive stained vertical grain Douglas fir paneling capped by a vaulted ceiling.
A boldly proportioned cream-colored brick fireplace anchors the room and introduces oiled-rubbed bronze accents that are consistently applied to the rest of the project.
A set of 16′ glass doors slide completely out of view opposite the fireplace, allowing the living room to open entirely onto a large screened porch furnished as a lounging environment. Here the rough-sawn cedar ceiling slopes up towards the open canyon view.
The warm tones and texture of the cedar becomes the mediator between the nuanced and smooth palette of the interior and the landscape hues that inspired it.
Outside the porch, another seating area is created by a curving sofa and vintage pendant lights under a lone oak tree.
