Name: Stacy Rukeyser
Location: West Hollywood, CA
Size: 1,500 square feet
Years lived in: 1.5 years
What to do when you've inherited several meaningful family furniture pieces but don't yet have the experience or know how to make it all work in a new home? It can be quite daunting to try to make antique and traditional pieces work in a modern setting, and such was the case with our house tour participant this week who wanted to share the results of their collaboration with a professional who helped shine new light on some old family items. Stacy's townhouse is a glamorous marriage between modern and traditional, east coast and west coast, simple and ornate...take a peek inside.
AT Survey:
My/Our style: Old Meets New /Glittery Glamorous
Inspiration: The desire to create something new and beautiful out of a sad loss. My dad passed away, and my mom sold the family house in Connecticut. I received a lot of beautiful antique furniture, but it didn’t exactly go with the modern lines of my newly-purchased townhouse. I hired designer Michelle Workman of La Maison Rouge – and with many coats of shiny white paint and some fabulous fabric, it all came together. And now, every piece means something. Even the artwork. There are no random purchases. Consequently, there’s a lot of love in the house.
Favorite Element: I can’t pick just one! The daring plum walls which make the white furniture really pop. Anything that glimmers: the master bedroom wallpaper, master bathroom tile, all the lighting fixtures. And all the animal details: elephant tables, hoof table, peacock urn, monkey plant holders. My nephew says that gives the place a safari theme.
Biggest Challenge: I was a total neophyte – had never even read a design magazine – but I became obsessed. I thought I would just gut the upstairs bathrooms, replace the upstairs carpet, and get rid of the cottage cheese ceilings and walls. Didn’t realize that even just that would have been huge. The bathrooms took much longer, and cost much more, than what was estimated. I went through four tile guys, but things finally got back on track when Michelle took over. (I originally had a different designer for just the bathrooms). Other than that, it was just about sucking it up and spending the money. I sold a LOT of furniture from my old place on ebay and craigslist – even down to the plates, curtains, lamps, an old stereo – just to get the money together. Oh, and I realized there is a huge shortage of finish carpenters in this city.
What Friends Say: That it looks like a dress I would wear. It’s so “me.”
Biggest Embarrassment: Bird poop on the front patio, and fallen leaves on the back. Otherwise, it’s pretty much done. Like I said, I got obsessed. Oh, and the white couch is now a bit blue –fourth date with my boyfriend, both of us in dark blue jeans.
Proudest DIY: The day bed on the back patio is from Home Depot, who said I would need three people to put it together. As a single woman (at the time), that rubbed me the wrong way. So I took four hours one night and did it myself. Big metal pieces propped up on chairs while I tightened screws. It wasn’t easy, but I got it done.
Biggest Indulgence: I feel like the whole home was an indulgence! The fabrics are luxe – the peacock fabric on the master bedroom headboard, the flocked dining chairs, even the pure white velvet for the sofa. The dining table was also custom made, because it’s impossible to find a big, white table that will seat 10 (and that’s how many chairs I had from Connecticut).
Best advice: Spend the money on good fabric and pieces that will last forever.
Dream source: Michelle Workman’s new store, The Red House, which is opening on La Cienega. I loved her work so much, I recommended her to my mom. She just finished HER new condo, which is out here in L.A. And yes, it also has a bunch of antiques that are now painted white.
Resources:
Appliances: The kitchen was already done when I moved in. All I added was the stainless penny round backsplash.
Furniture: Living Room:
Sofa – Michelle had it custom made. It’s modeled after a piece from Jonathan Adler, but with added length.
Fabric -- white velvet by Kravet
Deco Console (under TV) -- Wilton Cordrey (LA Mart)
Coffee Table -- West Elm.com
White Ceramic Elephant Side Tables – Vellum
Hoof Table: Woodson and Rummerfeld
Wing Chair – antique. Fabric – zebra stripe by F. Schumacher & Co
Two Bergere Chairs – antique. Fabric – multi colored squares by Fabricut
Black Leather Chair – antique
Standing Lamp – antique
Bookcase – designed by Michelle, made by one of those elusive finish carpenters.
Dining Room:
Dining Table -- designed by Michelle, will be available through her store Dining Chairs – antique. Fabric – flocked damask by Lee Jofa
Master Bedroom:
Headboard – designed by Michelle, made by LA Upholstery Art. Fabric -- peacock feather by Kravet
Bureau – Brocade Home.com
Setee – antique. Fabric -- deep blue damask, Quadrille
Bedside Tables – bought a long time ago at Ethan Allen. Painted white.
Back Patio:
Day Bed, table and chairs -- Home Depot. Fabric: Sunbrella.
Bar – designed by Michelle, made by Joe Ball (Precision Woodworks)
Front Patio:
L-shaped bench and table – custom made by Marcus, a finish carpenter
Fabric: Sunbrella
Guest Bedroom/Home Office:
Sofa: Jennifer Convertibles from almost 15 years ago. The cushions have been restuffed. Fabric -- chinoiserie silhouette by Duralee.
Desk: West Elm.com
Desk Chair: antique. Fabric: Black and white diamond by Duralee
Accessories: Vases on Elephant Tables – William Sonoma Home
Peacock Vase - Shine
Asian ladies statues - Zodax
White Ceramic Bust of Venus – Vellum
Urn and birds on bookcase – Vagabond Vintage
Round Pedestal Vases on bookcase – Rosanna
Plates, black candlesticks – Rosanna
Monkey Plant Holders – Two’s Company (LA Mart)
Mirror over Fireplace, in Master Bath, and Guest Bath – antique, painted white.
Lighting: Branch Sconces – Fantasy Lites on Melrose
Living room chandelier – Trebor Nevets (LA Mart)
Dining room “branchelier” – Michelle Workman original design
Bedroom chandelier – antique
Master bedside lamps - ebay.com
Guest bed lamp – Shine
Master Bath Sconces – Lamps Plus
Guest Bath Sconces - Lamps Plus
Rugs and Carpets: Upstairs white shag – Melrose Carpets Downstairs – white shag – fake, WASHABLE fur – the best! Michelle found the fabric downtown and just cut it to size.
Tiles and Stone: Kitchen metal penny rounds -- Ann Sacks
Master Bath mosaic – Ann Sacks
Window Treatments: All custom designed by Michelle.
Fabric: Body…La Maison Rouge White Taffeta
Stripe/banding F. Schumacher & Co. Taffeta
Beds: Bedding to match curtains by Michelle
Artwork: Everything is antique.
Paint: Benjamin Moore
Flooring: The wood floors were already installed when I moved in. They’re from Bruce. I know that because when I had the fireplace fixed, one of the guys put a round saw down on the wood floor, which kicked off a horrible saga of trying to patch, and eventually refinishing the whole thing.
Other: Wallpaper: Master bedroom – F. Schumacher & Co
Powder Room (an homage to my NYC roots) – F. Schumacher and Co.
(Thanks, Stacy and Michelle!)
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Comments (55)
Wow, just wow. This is awesome. So unique, so fun, glam but still cozy.
And, I totally relate - some of my favorite pieces are the ones I was given when my grandparents sold their CT house. They are so beautiful and have so much meaning - a double whammy.
It's gorgeous, but if those are real antiques (Chippendale wing chairs, Queen Anne dining chairs, etc.) under the white paint, you lost tens of thousands of dollars in resale value.
this house is fantastic, luxurious, glamourous and yet comfortable. that couch and throw make me want to curl up and watch tv while sipping champagne. congrats to stacy!!!
I can't put into words how much I love this place. I'm normally a white wall with a bright accent wall kind of person, but this makes me want to paint my whole house a dark color!
I have to laugh, because I decided for a change and painted my office a dark reddish/purplish brown with tan trim and instead of tarp or plastic to protect the floor we used an old rug I had at my old place that had stains all over. I took pictures of the painting process and looked back and thought "wow, that zebra print rug looks awesome next to the paint colors in that room" and then I saw the zebra print chair picture here and about died!
I think I need to get a huge zebra rug for the office now! It works so well!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Stacy's Sparkle Palace. So may unexpected details make it so special. Awesome job, Michelle!! Stacy is so lucky to live there.
:)
Awesome. Not my style at all, but awesome. Do you recall the name of the plum color?
I am absoulutely in love with this home....it is so everything that I would want in my house!
how would one get their hands on one of those branch chandeliers?
I am beyond words! Bold, but classy and glamorous at the same time. Nicely executed space!
It's Stacy here. Thanks so much for all the great comments! Here is contact info for my designer, Michelle Workman: rouge@jpw.com She is the source for the branch chandeliers and much else. I will look for an extra paint can at home, to get you the name of the plum, too!
oh please tell us te paint color!
Much as I like this place, it reminds me of the Scientology Celebrity Centre on Franklin.
This looks like a cheesy Palm Springs resort created by Jonathan Adler and populated exclusively by gay men.
Thank you so much for the email address, she is amazing! Also, thanks for the monkey holders....I was smitten with them!
Um....NO!
Wow! Gorgeous. What a wonderful, and meaningful, place to live.
Great place, Where did you get your cable railing from, I need.
Thanks
Tyler
wow!! i love it! nice contrast! the white is beautiful!
please tell me what color that reddish purple is.
While the plum sets off the white furniture to great effect, it fights the architecture of the house... From the photos, it looks as if the living room fights the style of the house. Hollywood Regency just doesn't work in a split level living/dining area like in that first shot...
OOOoooo!!!! It is so glamorous! I absolutly love it! And that plum/red colour is amazing, very cozy and warm.
I love the idea that you weren't inhibited by the fact that the value of your antiques might be lost. A pleasure to 'visit'. Thanks.
Yes, it did get hit by a professional's stick. In fact it looks as if there is no personal touch here, some one else did all the placement and decisions.
undeniably pretty. not my style, too overcomposed and crowded (as in the spacing of your photos), but beautiful.
really love your console and your dining table. i'd have probably stopped with the white lacquer there. except for your bedroom. (though your finishes really are breathtaking).
your bathrooms are my favorites and i envy your kitchen. they also show how nice original gold frames and wood tones can work with white and hollywood regency glam.
my only real dislike - all of the kitschy white objects: the stylized asians, the monkeys, the peacocks, and elephants (which you clearly love). my mom had these in the 1970s and i didn't like them then either (guess i should dig them out of her basement for ebay). contrast these with your trophy in the bathroom which i think is genius.
enjoy your lovely home.
Hi guys! Stacy again -- with the paint color for you! This is the plum (and just so you know, it was SPRAYED on): Benjamin Moore D.T.M. Acrylic Gloss Enamel Ultra Base M28 4B.
Hope that helps! Thanks again for all the great comments!
Wow, all those heirlooms and antiques, ruined by white paint.
Stacy, if you ever want to move out of your house, please, I beg of you, give it to me. :)
This is my perfect, ideal, absolute dream home. Every detail. Love it.
i LOVE the little story about the white couch turning blue... now the couch is personalized, just like your lovely home!
I beg to differ with those lamenting the loss of "value" of the refinished antiques. If they bring the homeowner pleasure and she feels comfortable with the changes, then who cares about the loss of monetary value? If they're family heirlooms, she's not likely to resell them anyway.
Undeniably unique. I think the fact that her friends say "It's so 'you'" says it all.
traditional turned post-modern. very cool!
I'm sorry but....no. It looks like a furniture store that tried to throw in all their inventory into one showroom. way too crowded and totally lacks an identity.
I doubt the antiques were worth enough that the value lost refinishing even comes close to the value gained in her enjoyment.
That said, this is the first house tour I have actively hated. Since taste is a subjective thing, I don't feel the need to elaborate and pick on exactly why I think it's awful. To each her own.
total mess.
Not my style but there are some interesting ideas: like the Asian pattern on the doors of the cabinet in the bathroom.
Gasp! My dreamhome... as Candace Olson would say, "Simply divine."
I like the furniture; antiques usually look over the top to me, but here they look fun and usable. I also love the dining table, the headboard, and the trophy in the bathroom. For me this would be too intense to live with every day, but I think it looks great.
Absolutely love it.
It's really not my style. The checkered fabric on the chairs in the top photo seems completely over-the-top and all the decorative white statuettes/pots are too much. BUT, it seems like Stacy loves it and her bold and daring personality shine through. To each their own. (And I *love* that plum wall color!)
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.
eh...i thought i was going to love it, but it just looks like it's trying way too hard. the living room and dining room are just way too much (though i like your china set) and i could certainly do without the framed photos everywhere as well as the giant old French posters, yikes!
i do really love the first bathroom (sans photos) as well as the last bathroom. the tile in the middle one would make my head explode.
it's obvious that you love living there, but it's just not for me.
Stacy,
I love the accucentric desltorary of the phlangelical lines. I find it coloagulating in the mid to upper sentalengenifice of the baroque period. Colorful, yet tridelphically distinct. It is all very reminiscent of Salvanya and Ruisolant of the late 30's. Fantastic. Bravo. Drellinquatono! Forgive me, I'm at a loss for words. Keep up the traminjan and philonomantary!
H.
I agree with clairecat and jeffnyc. I reallllyyyy liked the one bathroom with the black and white wallpaper and the yellow flowers and i love the upholstery on the patio...but that;s it.
The vase of feathers to the right of the TV makes me angry.
Forget the naysayers. This house made me wet my pants! It's phenomenally eclectic--your unique fingerprint. The light fixtures alone could be an entire post. Thank you so much for the inspiration! This home is a little slice of joy.
Oh, your home is beautiful. Everything is out of this world wonderful.
I think I want to be you. (grin) How brave to paint the wall
such a outstanding color. I LOVE it so much. You are an inspiration
to me for sure. I am so happy you posted all these photos, but
at the last one, I still was wishing I could see even more. I'll say it
again. BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!
I love it. You have a beautiful home that still feels comfortable and inviting. Of course, I am a fan of anything Hollywood Regency or glam/ glittery.
Do you happen to know which shop downtown that Michelle found the fake washable fur for your downstairs white rug? I was considering a flokati, but really want something more lux. Your rug is exactly what I pictured in my mind, but haven't been able to find. Thanks.
Hi there -- Stacy again -- I asked Michelle about the white fake fur rug. Sorry not to have more specific info, but here's what she said:
"I got it downtown in the 'fabric district,' not sure what store. Sorry I can't be more specific! If you live locally, just go downtown and there are many fabric stores that have faux fur outside their door - I just looked for the softest whitest one I could find."
Hi Stacy- Love your home! Especially the plum paint.
As plastolux(Tyler) asked above, I'm wanting to know where you got your cable railing? We have been trying to find this very thing to no avail.
Thanks so much!! =)
Hey there! I forgot to respond to the cable question, sorry! Okay -- the cable was already there when I moved in. But here's the name of the designer who did it: Lisa Freeman. 310-387-5553. She did the wood floors, the kitchen, the fireplace stone -- and yes, the cable railings. I hope she can give you all the info you need!
There is no way that artwork is vintage. Unless you managed to find all the posters and it's a coincidence all of them are on allposters.com
http://www.allposters.co.uk/-sp/L-Instant-Taittinger-Posters_i421309_.htm
http://www.allposters.co.uk/-sp/Cognac-Monnet-c-1927-Posters_i404819_.htm
Love the living room and bedroom
so perfectly hollywood
I love this place...
...tho in the descriptions, I believe that the word to describe some of the pieces might be "Vintage" rather than "Antique" - and that's caused some uproar.
"Antiques" might be considered original/museum pieces that are worth a great deal of money, and yes there would be a great loss if an original 18th century Chippendale Chair were painted and upholstered like this - Whereas 20th century reproductions of those pieces are "Vintage" - and there's certainly no loss in a clever repaint/reupholster as we see here.
Looks amazing! I am desperate to know where you/designer got the hardware (esp. on black cabinet in master bath). I tried looking for them online all night! But to no avail:( Surprised no one else inquired too. Congrats on the place!
Thanks so much for all your kind words! Michelle got the hardware for the master bath at Mother of Pearl Trading in Studio City. The guest bath hardware is from ChineseBrassHardware.com -- then Michelle had it dipped in chrome. Can't seem to find great Chinese hardware that's already chromed! Hope that helps!
Michelle's design are fabulous! If you liked this tour, you'll want to take a look at the WeHo Condo she designed:
http://simplifiedbee.blogspot.com/2009/07/west-hollywood-condo-by-designer.html
xo,
cristin