Distinguished Design

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Sandra Fox Interiors customizes a Los Angeles spec home for a well-traveled, growing family.

A custom Thibaut grasscloth console greets guests in the entry. Photo by Tessa Neustadt.

“A lot of our clients are young families that have bought new construction homes that they want to make their own, distinguishing them from all the other spec homes popping up around Los Angeles,” says designer Sandra Fox of Sandra Fox Interiors on her work inside this 3,500 square foot Cape Cod-style, new construction home in Los Angeles.

An Arteriors chandelier makes subtle statement in the dining room.
Photos by Tessa Neustad.

Popping up all over California, spec homes homes can present challenges to designers who thrive off expressing style through finishes, architectural details and more. “While a lot of designers may bristle at working on a spec home, and not having the opportunity to work on the architectural side of the project, I take it on as a challenge and enjoys the problem-solving that comes up along the way,” the designer notes.”

 “We added some personality to the homes powder bath by working around the existing vanity. We painted the existing tongue and groove a rich hunter green, added leather pulls to the already installed vanity while the builder-grade mirror, faucet and lighting were all swapped out with fun brass pieces. Lighting is Circa’s Bistro Sconces.“
Bar stools by Four Hands sit below a pair of pendants by Rejuvenation.
Photos by Tessa Neustadt.

The clients are busy executives with two teenagers, large dogs and a baby on the way, so durability in the design was top of mind. Avid entertainers with sophisticated taste, they wanted their home to evoke the personality of their family while providing an open venue for large gatherings for adults and teenagers.

A pendant light from Worley’s Lighting sheds light on Serena + Lily chairs.
Photos by Tessa Neustadt.

During the couples’ many travels they collected rare finds that were in need of unique display. “One find we were thrilled about was a set of vintage chairs flown in from London that we used in the formal living room-turned-game room,” says Fox who later upholstered the chairs in a gorgeous textile by Michael S. Smith for Templeton Fabric. Custom built-ins were installed in the living room to cover the windows flanking the fireplace. “There was already so much natural light coming into that space, this was a no-brainer when it came to displaying a lot of their carefully curated international finds as well as adding another layer of coziness and warmth to the space,” says Fox.

A custom sectional in the living room provides a few of the fireplace covered in Ann Sacks tile and is flanked by Lee Industries accent chairs. Photos by essa Neustadt.

The final result is a turn-key home designed specifically for the clients’ needs that can expand with their growing family. Fox notes, “We are so lucky to have had such gracious and grateful Clients – as most of our are! They were really happy with the finished product and were thoughtful enough to let us know.”