A “Modern Natural” California Home

Name: Scotti Sitz, creator of GARDE (lifestyle, gift, and home accessories shop)
Location: Hancock Park; Los Angeles, California
Size: 2,600 square feet
Years lived in: 4 months

Scotti’s home reminds me of the classic California Spanish-style interiors you find in Malibu or Santa Barbara. The home (and its inhabitant) carry such elegance and beauty without being overly fussy. This particular style of interiors has been appreciated and documented over the years in books such as California Romantica, and I can see why — the aesthetic is quite beautiful.

This home has so many architectural details and unique rooms to love — the round breakfast room off the kitchen, the enclosed porch next to the living room with great windows (which is still in the design stage and will be making its debut at a later date), and the hallway nook which was originally used as a place to sit and make phone calls. It’s easy to see why so many Angelenos love the old Spanish architecture. And of course the arched doorways, beamed ceilings, original fireplace, and original bathroom tile are a huge added bonus!

My Style: Modern natural kind of says it all for me. Modern with a tactile layering that brings warmth and comfort to a home without being stark. I am still very influenced by the Belgians. The architect Vincent Van Duysen still sets the bar for me. I love that he evolves and changes but still remains classic yet new.

Inspiration: The house in this case inspired me. It’s a classic 1920s California Spanish with charming original details and thick stucco walls. I can live without some modern conveniences if there is charm, character and beauty. Your eyes need to settle on something pretty and soothing… that’s inspiring.

Favorite Element: The original fireplace, with its original Spanish tiles and Adobe shape, could never be replicated today,

Biggest Challenge: To be honest, the biggest challenge in this old original place is the fact that the bedroom floors slope so badly from a settling foundation that we had very few options (one) where we could put a bed. It actually took me a while to get used to it. When I woke up in the middle of the night and walked to the bathroom it felt like I was drunk!

What Friends Say: It’s my friends who have encouraged me to publish this place. They say it’s their favorite of all the places I have lived (and there have been many).

Biggest Embarrassment: I am slightly embarrassed about many things, being a perfectionist. But the fact that my guest room is not ready for prime time is a particular embarrassment.

Proudest DIY: You know, I’m not really good with DIY projects… I really leave that to others who are better at that kind of stuff. When I moved in I had the home painted, changed out almost every light fixture and changed some hardware, but I hired experts for the work. I’m better at merchandising and shopping.

Biggest Indulgence: Last week I decided I had to have more greenery to see outside every window, so I went so far as to ask the homeowners next door if I could plant rose trees on their property. Voila, no problem!

Best Advice: In life or as it pertains to this flat? Ok, let’s keep on point, the house. My good friend Alison Blumenfeld suggested a wonderful shade of pink for my bedroom. Then my friend Todd Nicky informed me that the color pink was great for creativity. I do believe he may be right!

Dream Sources: I wish I could scour through all the antique shops in Europe to find those special pieces, but here in LA we have wonderful sources for new and vintage. My friends Scott and Kristan opened Hammer And Spear downtown, and they have great style and an eye for vintage. Then I head out to Palm Springs to visit Andre and Brigitte at Flow Modern and my friends Charles and Thomas at Hedge in Cathedral City.

I also visit Ray Ferra on La Brea for original vintage lighting, NK Shop on Beverly Blvd. for new and vintage, and of course GARDE for accessories from around the globe and objects from talented artists and designers that are hard to find.

• Entry – Benjamin Moore: Ozark Shadows, AC-26 flat
• Living Room – Benjamin Moore: Super White, flat
• Breakfast Room: Benjamin Moore: Ozark Shadows, AC-26 flat
• Master Bedroom – Benjamin Moore: Honey Hut, 2102-60 flat

• Sofa: Tine K Home from Denmark (GARDE is the only US distributor of their collection)
• Sofa Pillows: Vintage African fabric pillow from GARDE (exclusive)
• Vintage Moroccan Beni Ourain rug: GARDE
• Glass vessel with brass botanical stopper and seahorse by Lindsey Adelman: GARDE
• Antique brass tall candleholders: NK Shop
• Dary grey marble tray on coffee table is from Michael Verheyden of Ghent, Belgium: GARDE
• Cowhide: Cowhideusa
• Art and other objects all vintage and collected over many years

• Pendant lighting: Isamu Noguchi from OK
• Everything else is vintage

• Grey pottery with sandblasted white oak lid is from the Vincent Van Duysen pottery collection for When Objects Work: GARDE

• Hardware from Van Cronenburg Architectural Hardware of Ghent, Belgium

• Linen bedding: Area
• Blanket on headboard: Hermes
• Rug: Ikea
• Everything else vintage, flea market, etc. except for the bed from West Elm (discontinued)

• Grey Towels: Bemboka Australia (also by special order at GARDE)

Thanks, Scotti!

(Images: Marcia Prentice)

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