A Designer Brings Back Her 100-Year-Old Spanish Revival Home, Just in Time for the Hollywood Centennial
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Although today it’s easy to picture gorgeous homes dotting the scenery throughout the Hollywood Hills, there was a time when only a handful of homes had been built. Elizabeth Law of Elizabeth Law Design lives in one of those homes, originally constructed in 1923 just as the “Hollywoodland” sign was being put up.
In fact, Law has learned that this was only the third home built in “Hollywoodland” as it was called at the time.
“This home was part of the Hollywoodland development, which was advertised as ‘above the turmoil’ of the city, sort of a country-living locale complete with a barn, walking trails, and hidden stone staircases,” Law explains. One of the styles homeowners could choose was Spanish Revival, an aesthetic approach that this particular home continues to showcase to this day.
When Law first purchased the home, she saw the potential to bring it back to its 1920s heyday.
“As a designer, that era and style of house along with the restoration is my passion,” she says. “It is and was a work in progress.”
The updates that had been done in the home were completed in the 1980s and '90s, which is why Law has had to slowly “put the pieces back together,” as she describes it.
Law started with light fixtures and hardware and has focused mainly on the visuals. “The bones of the house have remained true, which was a huge part of the appeal while I was searching,” Law says, adding that she’s kept the original floors, windows, and arches, and even has the original blueprints hanging above her desk. She muses that in old homes like this, there seems to be the constant need to “replace” things, but she has opted to restore it instead.
The home has remained faithful to its Spanish Revival roots through its white, hand-troweled stucco and Mission Clay tile roof, entry tower, and French casement windows and doors as well as the awnings.
“The courtyard, while added much later, is very appropriate as well,” Law says.
Within the interior, the arches are classic to that time and style as well as the redwood support beams.
ENTRANCE
Law shares that all of the arched doorways in the home are original. Mirror, Croft House.
EXTERIOR
Elizabeth Law stands in front of her home with her Golden Retriever, Luna. When she initially laid eyes on the house, she says that the grand entry took her breath away.
HALLWAY
Law discovered this storied antique hutch at a consignment store. It juxtaposes flawlessly alongside a modern, vibrant art piece. “The colorful artwork is funny because it has a lot of impact but it’s something I bought when I was just starting out and it’s gone with me everywhere.” Artwork, Kiniko.
LIVING ROOM
Now showcasing beautiful Spanish tiles, Law says that when she purchased the house, the entire fireplace wall had been sponge-painted with a metallic gold paint. “I painted it and sourced Talavera tile for the surround, which brought it back to a more authentic look,” she says.
LIVING ROOM
Sporting original ceiling beams stained dark, the living room is where Law unwinds and listens to records from Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington. Sofa, HD Buttercup.
DINING ROOM
When Law first bought the house, there was a ceiling fan above the dining table. Nowadays, a stunning French Brutalist chandelier punctuates the dining space. “Even though it’s from a bit of a later era than the house, it fits so well with its wrought-iron ornate personality,” Law says. Chandelier, Nickey Kehoe.
KITCHEN
With an open and airy feel, the kitchen was retrofitted to have vaulted ceilings, which Law says make the space feel “quite grand.” Chandelier, Liz’s Antique Hardware.
OUTDOOR SPACE
Law loves to host big al-fresco gatherings outside, or even just a friend over for chilled wine in the summertime.
POWDER ROOM
As a “massive fan” of William Morris patterns and paper, Law calls this print “a go-to” in the powder room, adding that in most of her interior design projects, you’ll find Morris & Co.wallpaper.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
While the rest of the home edges into maximalist territory, the bedroom takes a minimalist turn. Law says, “Bedrooms to me are a place of calm, so a minimal approach is often my move because it helps keep out the noise and clutter of daily life.” Throw pillow, Shoppe Amber Interiors.
BATHROOM
Original black and yellow tile bedecks the bathroom, complementing the also original sink and tub that still grace the space to this day. Side table, Clic.
PATIO
“California living is all about the merging of indoors and outdoors,” Law says. “This courtyard allows just that and it also feels like it’s of a different era and a different place entirely.”
COURTYARD
Law found this large antique wood table at Big Daddy’s Antiques and polished the look using simple black iron French bistro chairs so she could have everyone gather and enjoy big meals. “It’s really incredible to be at the heart of Hollywood while still only able to hear the sounds of an owl hooting in the distance,” she says as she ponders her outdoor space.
COURTYARD
Law found this large antique wood table at Big Daddy’s Antiques and polished the look using simple black iron French bistro chairs so she could have everyone gather and enjoy big meals. “It’s really incredible to be at the heart of Hollywood while still only able to hear the sounds of an owl hooting in the distance,” she says as she ponders her outdoor space.
Law says that ever since she was a child, she’s been drawn to Mediterranean-style homes, even though she grew up on a farm in South Carolina.
“I was fortunate enough to have traveled as a child and was introduced at a young age to the beauty of tile, architecture, and the old world in general,” she says. “My parents have always been very adventurous and our homes have been full of collected and found things from around the world. I would say that my natural inclination is very in line with my home, and it shows.”
Shopping at Los Angeles stores like Obsolete and Galerie Half, along with Pasadena’s famous Rose Bowl flea market, Law has outfitted her home in pieces from the past, saying that the majority of her belongings are either vintage or antique.
“What I am the most excited about in this house are the light fixtures,” she says. “The first thing I bought for the house was the Art Deco fixture in the entry. The painted opalescent glass shades broke my heart and quickly found a place in my foyer. In the kitchen, there were a pair of chandeliers that wanted to be something they weren’t, so I found a pair of French 1930’s iron chandeliers that were the real deal. They have transformed the place completely.”
While still looking cool, classic, and modern, the home does have an air of timelessness, as if it’s now revived from its 1920s beginnings. You can almost see that “Hollywoodland” sign going up as you look out the window. And the parties here whisper of that glamorous time as well.
“My goal is to refresh and restore and let the house be its best original self,” Law says. “I know the previous owners were big entertainers, as am I. The house shines when its full of people, music on, all the windows and doors open, and the courtyard buzzing with conversation.”
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