Inside John Stamos’s Spanish-Style Aerie in Beverly Hills

Elizabeth Quinn Brown

The residence that John Stamos shares with his wife, Caitlin, and son, Billy, has style—but it also has soul. Stamos purchased the two-bedroom pad in 2005, and the house has, since, transformed with him for over a decade. “This place is more ‘me’ than any other house that I’ve lived in, starting with the bones of it, which are grounded and old-school,” says Stamos. “I was able to start as a bachelor and, then, marriage and the kid. I even got married on the property, so it just represents a lot of changes throughout my life. It started out as a party house, and then I straightened my act out and it became a healing house. And then, all of a sudden, Caitlin came into my life, and that was joyous and it took a turn there.”

In the back, there’s a pool with panoramic views of L.A. Behind the music room, there’s an enormous D from the “Disneyland” sign that once stood at the theme park’s entrance.
In the back, there’s a pool with panoramic views of L.A. Behind the music room, there’s an enormous D from the “Disneyland” sign that once stood at the theme park’s entrance.

Inside, the feel is classic but rustic, decorated with earth tones and reclaimed materials. Stamos is a romantic, so the home is intimate and scattered with pictures and other personal items (such as framed letters from his late parents). From the start, Stamos has collaborated with Chris Barrett (of Chris Barrett Design)—whom he met on the set of Full House—to create interiors that were distinctive to him and his interests, including playing music. She describes: “John added the stone to the fireplace wall and we took it from there. Knowing he loves old Hollywood and, of course, Disneyland gave us a starting point. I knew we needed to add a bit of humor whenever we could. We added small moments here and there. Our mission was to create a feeling of comfort and approachability.”

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The master bedroom is exotic and masculine, featuring blue fabrics and a custom Portuguese-influenced bed. There was once a shag-style rug (“For some reason, I decided that I wanted a big, thick, shag rug in that bedroom, like some ’70s porn star. I thought, ‘Oh, it would be fun to roll around on it.’”) But Caitlin has, since, smartened the room that she shares with her husband: Her contributions include the decorative slats and velvet-covered settee. “Caitlin and I flew to New Orleans, where we discovered the decorative slats,” shares Stamos. “They were from some barn in Italy and they were painted just beautifully. It was raining and we were running in the rain between antique shops. It was a really happy memory, and it was just really nice to bring them into our home.”

Stamos drums with his son, Billy. He first used this patriotic-themed instrument (from Ludwig Drums) when he performed with the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffett in PBS’s A Capitol Fourth concert in Washington, D.C.
Stamos drums with his son, Billy. He first used this patriotic-themed instrument (from Ludwig Drums) when he performed with the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffett in PBS’s A Capitol Fourth concert in Washington, D.C.

The main room’s bones have charm, thanks to the grand windows, the stone hearth, and the slanted and timbered ceilings (which feature a lantern from Paul Ferrante). The furniture is custom and differently textured, from the fabric chaise and couch (from Chris Barrett Design) to the leather chairs (from Brenda Antin). On the other side of the room, there’s a Steinway & Sons piano from the 1940s. “I bought that in the 1980s when I got my first house in Topanga Canyon,” remembers Stamos. “I was like, I need a piano. It’s really a beaut. I’ve carried it around for a long time.” The side table is ornamented with an old typewriter that was gifted to him from Tom Hanks. “I was with him one night and asking him about it and, the next day, the typewriter showed up,” shares Stamos. “There was a really long letter in there, which you can see. It also came with a $20 check for my birthday. He wrote, ‘Put a stack of paper next to it and just have people write on it when they come over and stuff.’ We’ve done it.”

The dining room features one of a few farmhouse-style tables that can be seen in the house. It is dressed with fabric chairs (from Lucca Antiques) and figurines (from Obsolete). “I like Asian pieces,” Stamos says of the dining room decor.
The dining room features one of a few farmhouse-style tables that can be seen in the house. It is dressed with fabric chairs (from Lucca Antiques) and figurines (from Obsolete). “I like Asian pieces,” Stamos says of the dining room decor.

In the back, there’s a pool with panoramic views of Los Angeles. The music room, which is situated in its own structure, is trimmed with Disney memorabilia and instruments. “It was just a jam room: every party, every holiday, every chance,” shares Stamos. “I’ve had parties in there where it would just turn into a full-blown dance party with one hundred people in that little room, dancing and sweating and singing.” Here, Stamos has hosted musicians like America and the Beach Boys (whom he has performed with hundreds of times since 1984). With so many standout memories around every corner, one could call it the ultimate brick-and-mortar version of a family scrapbook.

Inside John Stamos’s Spanish-Style Aerie in Beverly Hills

In the Beverly Hills house John Stamos shares with his wife, Caitlin, and son, Billy, the kitchen is modern but rustic thanks to the furnishings, which include black cabinets and a reclaimed-wood table for preparation. Stamos shares: “We cook in the kitchen and outside, where I have a pizza oven. That was Caitlin's and my first date: She said she liked pizza!”
The kitchen extends to include this dinette, featuring a chaise (which is dressed with custom pillows from Chris Barrett Design) and a farmhouse-style table. Stamos shares: “I discovered the flower-patterned chair in a store called Obsolete that has funky, cool stuff. It’s made from old material from India and it came in there and it just popped.”
Chris Barrett Design created the custom pillows and the custom Portuguese-influenced bed. The cover is from Hollywood at Home and the rug is from Aga John Rugs. “The bed was the hardest thing to decide on when I first moved in,” Stamos says. “It has a little bit of an Asian thing, but it’s sturdy. So we started with that.”
The master bathroom is classic, thanks to the details—which include brass fixtures and smart tiles. In one corner is a picture of Steve McQueen, bathing with his first of three wives, Niele Adams. Stamos shares: “She came to a party and I asked her to sign it,” Stamos recalls. “It says something like, ‘You’re more handsome than he was.’”
Stamos’s son’s room is Disney–themed, with pictures of beloved characters, and Winnie the Pooh curtains that Caitlin sewed herself.
Stamos’s son’s room is Disney–themed, with pictures of beloved characters, and Winnie the Pooh curtains that Caitlin sewed herself.
The grand windows and the stone hearth—not to mention the slanted and timbered ceilings (which feature a lantern from Paul Ferrante)—define the main room. The furniture is custom and differently textured, from the fabric chaise and couch (from Chris Barrett Design) to the leather chairs (from Brenda Antin).
The grand windows and the stone hearth—not to mention the slanted and timbered ceilings (which feature a lantern from Paul Ferrante)—define the main room. The furniture is custom and differently textured, from the fabric chaise and couch (from Chris Barrett Design) to the leather chairs (from Brenda Antin).
One of Stamos’s first purchases when he started his career was this Steinway & Sons piano from the 1940s. On the side table, there’s an old typewriter that was gifted to him from Tom Hanks.
One of Stamos’s first purchases when he started his career was this Steinway & Sons piano from the 1940s. On the side table, there’s an old typewriter that was gifted to him from Tom Hanks.
The dining room features one of a few farmhouse-style tables that can be seen in the house. It is dressed with fabric chairs (from Lucca Antiques) and figurines (from Obsolete). “I like Asian pieces,” Stamos says of the dining room decor.
The dining room features one of a few farmhouse-style tables that can be seen in the house. It is dressed with fabric chairs (from Lucca Antiques) and figurines (from Obsolete). “I like Asian pieces,” Stamos says of the dining room decor.
The dining room features a spread of pictures and other personal items, including framed letters from Stamos’s late parents and notes from celebrities and friends. Stamos shares: “Grease is one of my favorite movies, and I had John Travolta sign a picture after I told him he was my inspiration for becoming an actor. So he wrote, ‘I’m proud to be your inspiration.’”
The music room has hosted the likes of America and the Beach Boys (Stamos has performed with the band hundreds of times since 1984). The interiors are decorated with instruments (including guitars from Stamos’s role on Full House)—plus items that Stamos has collected from Disneyland. These include: a devil from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride; a gargoyle from the Haunted Mansion ride; and a pirate’s head from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
In the back, there’s a pool with panoramic views of L.A. Behind the music room, there’s an enormous D from the Disneyland sign that once stood at the theme park’s entrance.
In the back, there’s a pool with panoramic views of L.A. Behind the music room, there’s an enormous D from the Disneyland sign that once stood at the theme park’s entrance.
The Spanish-style residence’s exterior is decorated, lushly, with climbing plants and flowers. Stamos intimates that his son is the best gardener of the bunch.
The Spanish-style residence’s exterior is decorated, lushly, with climbing plants and flowers. Stamos intimates that his son is the best gardener of the bunch.
John and Caitlin Stamos, outside their Spanish-style residence in Los Angeles.
John and Caitlin Stamos, outside their Spanish-style residence in Los Angeles.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest