Name: Brian Friedman and Daniel Brown
Location: North Hollywood, California
Size: 1,500 square feet
Years lived in: 8 years — Own
Brian and Daniel both lead very busy lives here in Hollywood, so they've created a warm oasis of comfort to return home to every night. This two bedroom home has elements of Moroccan details mixed in with a very California contemporary vibe. Along with a small guest house for their visitors, they also have an outside deck that overlooks a wonderful pool and jacuzzi.
Many thanks to my friends John Donaldson and Michael Crispen for referring me to Brian and Daniel for this house tour. Both John and Michael had designed specific window treatments and upholstered pieces for this home and knew I'd love the style.This home has several different eclectic styles merged into one. The office is very bright and chic, while the bathrooms and master bedroom are dark and opulent. The dining room and kitchen remind me of a contemporary west coast retreat, whereas the den is decorated with a Moroccan theme to match the specially arched doorways. It's a home that has blended all their ideal tastes into one, making it exactly what they want for taking time off and relaxing.
Brian is a well established dancer and choreographer, who has worked with a handful of Hollywood talent such as Beyonce, Britney Spears and Mariah Carey for major tours, music videos and television. He has choreographed on various talent related reality shows such as So You Think You Can Dance, America's Got Talent and now currently filming this season of The X Factor.
"Open space and comfort" is the most essential part of home for Brian and Daniel, which I feel they definitely achieved. "I think inspiration has come from all over the world however living in LA gives you the ability to spend a lot of time outside therefore we have a gorgeous outdoor oasis." I love that they have truly created an environment perfect for family and friends to come vacation in their backyard.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: Eclectic and contemporary.
Inspiration: Exotic world travel and clean minimalism.
Favorite Element: Brian's: High Ceilings & Moroccan Archways; Daniel's: Tropical backyard
Biggest Challenge: Storage.
What Friends Say: Can we adopt them because they want to move in, or, will you please come design our house?!
Biggest Embarrassment: Kitchen cabinets are falling apart!
Proudest DIY: Landscaping.
Biggest Indulgence: Showers, pool and fire pit.
Best Advice: Get a licensed contractor for all construction and monitor every second of their work. Always get competing prices before settling. Always go with your gut when making design decisions. Always talk down the price!
Resources of Note:
LIVING ROOM
- • Sectional- Surface Interiors on Ventura in Sherman Oaks for the structure then reupholstered by John Donaldson Designs
• Artwork- Found from an art dealer at the LA Gift Show
DINING ROOM
- • Dining table, chairs and bench- Surface Interiors on Ventura in Sherman Oaks
(Moroccan) DEN
- • All furniture- custom built by Michael Crispen Design
• Window treatments- done by John Donaldson Designs
• Chairs vintage and refurbished.
• All stools, tables, mirrors, decorative plates, hanging lamps and lanterns- Moroccan imports
BEDROOM
- • Accent Pillows in Bedroom- Custom from Michael Crispen Designs
• Lighting in Bedroom- bed side lamps, the bases are vintage and found by TFP Designs, Shades are made by Michael Crispen Design.
• Lamps by the armoire- Blueprint
• Chandelier- Wired in West Hollywood
OFFICE
- • Desk- Custom from Jeff Andrews for TFP Design
• Chair- Herman Miller
• Rug & Couch (Custom)- Blueprint on Beverly in West Hollywood
OUTDOOR DECK
- • Pool deck designed by myself and Sean Renio for Mogue Inc.
• Furniture- Restoration Hardware.
• Lighting and fans - Expo Design Center.
• Curtains - custom
Thanks, Brian and Daniel!
Images: Bethany Nauert
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Shaw's Original Fir...
This is absolutely spectacular! I want to go to there...
I am not sure why people feel compelled to make snarky comments (maybe I am a throwback for subcribing to the "if you can't say anything nice..." philosophy), but I think this is gorgeous. Well done, gentlemen. Let me know if you need volunteers to make sure the guest house is in working order. ;)
Just rich, lovely & moody. I'd be content there for a long time. Love the brass pendant, different fabrics & the backyard.
I adore the Moroccan room and the dark stone bathroom is about the most masculine I've ever seen! It is all executed perfectly.
Really gorgeous. Looks like a hotel, actually. And it looks muy expensivo. The entirety of this home is so far out of my budget, all I can do is Pin the crap out of it and pray for the lottery.
Quite lovely!!!
That said....someone should start a site that shows apartments/condos.
It looks very masculine and very chic. Not my taste but I can appreciate it this look. I do love the fact that the bedroom opens up overlooking the pool.
this backporch lounge area is to die for!
One of my favorite home tours in awhile. it's a really good balance of Moroccan influence. I don't think it goes overboard at all. The neutral colors keep it from being too much. I echo the invitation to let me test out their guesthouse.
I SO appreciate this house tour as it is not MCM as most of the tours. This house is refreshing and beautiful and having variety when it comes to tours gives you more decorating that sticking to the same style...
Gorgeous. It looks like a resort villa, and probably feels like one too by the pool.
I love the dark molding all around the house. The bedroom looks like a boutique hotel. Very pretty all around. Nice break from all the white/cream places we tend to see on here.
Absolutely gorgeous ... rich color, diverse textures ... amazing!
Lush without being overdone; inspired without being plagiaristic. Well done!
Beautiful!
Lovely. Nice to see a pretty home in this working class North Hollywood neighborhood (Google Maps showed similar stucco boxes). I hope that garage conversion in the back was permitted.
Love it! nice, clean, sophisticated...
Thanks for the mention Bethany. Your shots are beautiful. Brian is very talented and a perfectionist and it shows in his wonderful home. I noticed the 'Michael Crispen link' sends you to an error message. If anyone is interested you can see a little of my work at www.michaelcrispen.com
1,500 sq ft! Wow! PLEASE come redo my 850 sq ft studio! I’m sure you could do wonders with it OR I can come stay with you! I promise I wouldn’t leave the house! Beautifully done, so rich and totally zen! Sigh...
Some of those interiors are too cave-like for me.... but the kitchen is truly to die for. It really looks like a cook's kitchen and it's beeeutiful.
That bedroom is wonderfully cocooning and romantic, especially as it opens out onto the pool.
However, from a decorating perspective, there is no excuse for having a framed Aaron Carter CD on your wall. Even if you're Aaron Carter yourself!
I love your home so very much!! I would never go home.. So please invite me over. Just stop chopping those poor pillows!! LOL
I.love.this.house.Period. Good grief, just invite me over!
Seriously, it's gorgeous. Congratulations on perhaps one of the top three house tours I've ever seen on this site. What color paint is the "greige" in your living room (where the big Buddha painting is)?
I just love how those masculine colors work so well and in a fresh elegant way.
I have to admit the house and exterior look extraordinarily comfortable, gorgeous in fact. But those outdoor heating devices that Californians (and others) employ always give me pause. Do people never wear sweaters when it's chilly?
Very nice place! However, those karate-chopped pillows in the first photo are one of my pet peeves ;) haha!
WOW
OMG!!!!! Please...PLEASE give me your house!!!!!
Fabulous! Love the tones and textures!!!!!
Tasteful, sexy and truly a work of art! BRAVO!!
Beautiful! So masculine and absolutely gorgeous, one of the best house tours !!!
Beautiful home. I love Moroccan design. I concur with the anti-karate chopped pillow crowd though. That first pic.... beautiful pillows should not be subjected to violence.
oh.my.bliss.
one of the most beautiful tours in a while ~~~
well. done.
I'd be happy with just the bathrooms!
Wow! What great photography!
Cool Paul
ahhhh! love the bathroom and the outdoor living space....this is a dream!
Beautiful light fixtures. Nice outdoor lounge. Very relaxed and comfortable.
As I looked at each photo, all I wanted to do is curl up with a pair of pajamas, slippers and a beautiful merlot. It feels so full of warmth. You can see character and love in all the attention to detail you both put into your home. It feels like a place I could run to and just feel serene and at peace. Great job! Namaste
Where did you get the bed? It is great!
Magnificent post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You must continue your writing. I'm confident, you have a huge readers' base already!
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I think I just died and went to decor heaven.
An exotically beautiful place. I would have known it was in California just based on it's California vibe. There's a zen element with this type of style that instantly connects. Really well done!
This is one of my favorite house tours this year! Absolutely fabulous! Inside out GORGEOUS!
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention
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This home in incredibly "cool". It has just the right amount of decorative items. I like the variety of color and textures. I am sure it must be a very nice place to live.
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