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    • Homes

    Mass Studio revamps this midcentury Los Angeles abode with a sprinkle of rustic modernity

    MAR 2, 2021 | By Saloni Rege
    The living room features an original brick fireplace, century-old Persian rug, 1950s curved sofa in fabric from Schumacher and Kofod-Larsen seal chairs from Design Within Reach; Photographs by Bethany Nauert
    A steel, oak and brass floating divider displays the homeowners' ceramics; Photographs by Bethany Nauert
    This view of the family room reveals bespoke library shelves, a Living Divani leather sofa from Cassina and a rug from Armadillo and Company; Photographs by Bethany Nauert
    On a vintage Persian piece from Amadi Rug, a customised dining table by Thomas Hayes Studio is paired with Gubi Beetle chairs from The Future Perfect; Photographs by Bethany Nauert
    The music room-cum-home office uses a hand-painted wallpaper from de Gournay and an antique Moroccan rug from Lawrence of La Brea; Photographs by Bethany Nauert
    This custom designed, walk-up bar is inspired by Prancois Cante-Pacos' The Escape Chest and Serge Manzon's Eclair lamp for Pierre Cardin; Photographs by Bethany Nauert
    This view of the bar showcases a vintage kilim from Lawson Fenning, part dining area and a passage to the family room; Photographs by Bethany Nauert
    The two-way Xutom travertine fireplace separates the Andersen quilt bed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti from the seating area with Studio Mandana floor pillows, Studio Pampa rug, and De La Espada sofa from The Future Perfect; Photographs by Bethany Nauert
    View of Minotti's Andersen quilt bed by Rodolfo Dordoni and a wall-mounted artwork by Mass Studio's principal designer Safura Salek; Photographs by Bethany Nauert
    A freestanding tub is seen in the master bath that's clad in Fiandre porcelain slab tiles; Photographs by Bethany Nauert
    In the guest room, a fabric bed from Design Within Reach and custom side tables are paired with an inbuilt daybed in Maharam fabric near the bay window; Photographs by Bethany Nauert
    View of the outdoor pool, hardscaped patio and outdoor furniture from Ten10; Photographs by Bethany Nauert

    This midcentury modern Los Angeles abode by Mass Studio is a true reflection of Californian ranch style of architecture.

    Designers Safura Salek, founder of Mass Studio, collaborated with Leonardo Umansky of Arxis Design Studio to remodel this home—originally built by Robert Byrd in 1951—with a fluid, open-plan layout. Together, they have added a 1,500 sq ft master bedroom wing and turned it into a 5,500 sq ft house.

    “The homeowners were attracted to the panoramic night vista that this majestic property offers. It is away from the city’s buzz in southern LA, and was chosen to be a sanctuary-like, forever home. Considering the structure’s age, we had to abide by the laws and maintain the exterior architecture style but we freely played around with the interiors,” shares Salek, principal designer of Mass Studio.

    A floating, steel and brass shelf segregates the music room from the hallway that leads to the guest bedroom. It displays the homeowners’ ceramic pieces; Photographs by Bethany Nauert

    From the very entrance, each space reveals a glimpse of other interconnected areas. And each of those either look out to a lush landscape on one side or the city from the newly fitted pool. However, the living room remains the focal point. It houses an original brick fireplace, wooden beam ceiling, a 1950s curved sofa (belonging to the former owner) and a 100-year-old vintage Persian rug.

    The Pogenpohl kitchen uses vintage pendant lights and bar stools from Design Within Reach. It overlooks the vegetable garden; Photographs by Bethany Nauert

    The living room also comprises a conversation pit with inbuilt benches, allowing people to engage in conversation. A partition here cordons off the music room-slash-home office. Meanwhile, the kitchen, dining and family room are set along the pathway that leads to the newly added master bedroom wing.

    The master suite houses a Xutom two-way fireplace, frame sofa by De La Espada from The Future Perfect and a Studio Pampa rug; Photographs by Bethany Nauert

    We love the master suite for its play on horizontal levels. It is divided by a two-way fireplace, clad in natural unfilled travertine slabs. A grey mirror backdrop doubles the space, where an Andersen quilt bed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti is paired with a sofa ensemble. It is done up using the same material palette as the rest of the home—white oak with natural finish, unlacquered brass, exposed brick and natural stone—and in monochromatic hues with pops of colour for a cosy, rustic charm.

    The guest bath features monochromatic, geometric flooring and dado wall tiles; Photographs by Bethany Nauert

    Another element we love is the midcentury-influenced, curved walk-up-bar across from the formal dining area. “It follows the existing curve of the window and wall, and is humbly inspired by Serge Manzon’s Eclair lamp for Pierre Cardin,” reveals the designer.

    Inbuilt patio benches look out to the verdant landscape and the city beyond; Photographs by Bethany Nauert

    Salek adds, “When designing anew, it’s always important to contextualise the creation. Similarly, when redesigning something that already exists, we try to inject a sensibility that both retains the purity of what it was and also understand what it can become.”