My Bonnie

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Standard Architecture realizes a hillside escape for a busy music executive

Oak flooring and crisp white walls set the tone in the entrance. Photo by Yoshihiro Makino.

“Perched on a slope above a natural canyon, the preserved landscape of native oaks and chaparral covers the surrounding hillsides,” says Sylvia Kuhle, co-founder of Standard Architecture about the landscape around a ground-up, 3,000-square-foot home located on the winding Bonnie Hill road in L.A. “Views from the home extend past the canyon towards Griffith Park and the Hollywood sign.”

Floor-to-ceiling Fleetwood doors and windows allow the views to be enjoyed throughout the main spaces.
Photo by Yoshihiro Makino.
In the kitchen, white lacquered cabinets and wood-clad walls surround the Calcatta marble island in the kitchen.
Photo by Yoshihiro Makino.

The client who lived down the street when he found this property, wanted a serene space where creativity could thrive. Inspired by the abundant nature that surrounds the property, the team leaned on a minimalist direction to guide the overall design. “The home’s white silhouette contrasts its natural surroundings,” she notes. “The exterior walls and flat roof form an elongated volume placed parallel to the slope. A full-length stucco wall touches the grade along the sloping hillside street while at the rear a long concrete patio and roof overhang cantilever above the canyon below, creating various expansive yet shaded floating outdoor rooms.”

A collection of handmade ceramics, indoor trees, as well as designer objects and furnishing compliment the calm surroundings. Photo by Yoshihiro Makino.
“Standard designed the home to be private from the street, clean and minimal. Silvia and Jeff used white stucco there,” says the client. Photo by Yoshihiro Makino.

The layout was configured to accommodate the client’s everyday life as well as ample space to run his music company. Natural oak and floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors were introduced to allow the city and mountain views to flood in. “A rhythmic series of oak shutters and wood clad walls line the floating outdoor rooms and bring filtered daylight into the interiors while natural materials are used to further inform the Zen-like interior which is surrounded by nature outside,” says Kuhle. “An expansive skylight allows daylight to play on the white painted stairwell located opposite the entry door.”

Wood-clad details continue on an exterior terrace that frames the views. Photo by Yoshihiro Makino.

Tranquility continues with the interior selections. In the kitchen, Standard chose custom white lacquered cabinets and wood clad walls to surround the Calcatta marble island. A floor-to-ceiling solid oak entry door, Basaltina fireplace surround and oak cabinetry inform the open living and dining room where the client’s team often works. “Most of the time I am working from the living room couch, or on the patio outside of the living room,” the client says. “The home is as comfortable as I hoped for. It was my dream to collaborate out of my home with the musicians I represent. I love the oak floors, large glass doors, and views to the mountains and city lights.”