This Studio City Home is the Best of California Design

Rip & Tan: Can you tell us a bit about your interior ethos? What are some of the telltale signs of a project from you or your firm?

Rob Diaz: I love lighting and typically enjoy left-of-center thinking around it. The mix of old and new materials is also something I like. Clay walls have become a big thing in our design process over the last several years. It is time-consuming and quite expensive but worth it. It has something that standard paint cannot achieve which is life and movement. Clayworks is our preferred supplier for this.

I make an effort on many new construction projects to have them not look like new construction homes. I think we achieved that in this project by using old roofing tiles from France, custom old oak shutters and garage doors, natural filetti limestone pathways and surfaces, craning in mature landscape trees, limestone walls, and vintage courtyard pieces.

I think the overall goal is to build out spaces that feel like a home, have a balance of old and contemporary elements, and give your senses a place to relax and feel calm. I do not have a set-in-stone aesthetic but a mix of European, classic design, and contemporary all mixed up together. I also feel that exterior landscape design is equally as important and I take great pride in our exterior work. 

Rip & Tan: We’re so eager to know more about this particular home. How would you define its through-line? What was the inspiration?

Rob Diaz: I did a home a few years ago that was a double A-Frame with a central garden deck and loved it. It not only appeased the city of Los Angeles floor area restrictions but also met their side yard setback rules. This project has a contemporary vibe while using old materials on the roof, copper gutters, and breaking up masses overhead.

The play of shapes was fun as well with oversized Radius Euroline steel windows under the A-frames. The radius windows used under the A-frames and the primary living room soften the clean lines found throughout the home.

Rip & Tan: In terms of design, do you find yourself sticking to a typical process? What does that tend to look like?

Rob Diaz: My process has changed over time for sure and it is not done alone. It starts out alone with an idea and is sketched to scale on drafting paper. It goes through many changes over a month or so. It is then placed into cad and sent on to the engineer and permit process people we have. Materials are thought of while drawing. 

Rip & Tan: From textures to finishes to wood tone, we’re blown away by the mix you’ve achieved in this interior. Do you have any advice for curating this effect in a way that feels authentic and balanced?

Rob Diaz: The interior clay was supplied by Clayworks and is very nice. I have seen other materials and they do not stand up to clayworks. It has a matte smooth surface with a lot of life to it that others do not have. There is a slight sparkle seen only at angles, certain natural or fixture given light that hits it. It really is a game changer for us.

Madera oak planks were used to provide a modern minimal run on the floors. Interior oak was used throughout. We chose plain sliced oak on interior doors, cabinets, and millwork walls. I would say choose nice flooring, get rid of casing and baseboards, use nice mellow wall surfaces, and always natural wood on doors and cabinets to soften things. For drama and balance, we find old sinks with modern taps, mix bold colors in smaller rooms, vintage and modern lighting mixing is great, and do not overdo it. Sometimes a room is just neutral with an amazing light fixture. 

Rip & Tan: From development to design, what aspect of this home renovation process was most rewarding? Most challenging?

Rob Diaz: I think there were many things that fell into place nicely such as the roof we had shipped over from France that is hundreds of years old. It was a process working with our roofing contractor to install this. The service kitchen was a big challenge due to the fact that we installed a large Euroline window in between both Ranges. We had to have our contractor install a commercial hood inside both upper cabinets about 11 feet off floor. Getting the vent out was a challenge. The outcome was amazing and worth all the headache. Bolting rebar into the wall for limestone fireplace batons was a challenge and getting the configuration of those random heavy batons to fit took time.

There are so many challenges that happen when building but there is always a solution. It really takes a  village to get this done. We have some of the best and most loyal people out there. 

Rip & Tan: As a native Angeleno, how does the city inspire you? What elements of design feel most quintessentially Los Angeles to you?

Rob Diaz: The thing about LA is that there are so many different architectural elements to this city. From contemporary modern view homes, Monterrey Spanish, English tudors of Hancock park, ranch style valley homes and so many more. There really are no rules here which is one of the things I love most about this city. It lends itself to taking chances. Albeit one should use traditional lines of whichever style one chooses.

I would say the only home I do not like is the standard McMansion with squatty busy roof lines and offline windows and doors. Bigger is not always better and many feel forced to do this. The use of upper-floor decking can achieve this.