I was so thrilled when Los Angeles interior designer Schuyler Samperton recently contacted me about showing one of her projects that had never been published. I know how that is – you work so hard on a project, pay a fortune for beautiful photographs to be taken and then for one reason or another (usually the client’s privacy) the house is never shown to the public. This particular house is located in the Pacific Palisades. The family came to Samperton and Choate and Associates with a plan to renovate a large guest house/pool house in the back yard. Besides the guest house, a swimming pool would be built and a sports court installed – hidden behind the guest house. Once that portion of the project was completed – the family would move into the guest house while the main house, an older ranchburger, would be totally enlarged when a new wing is added to take advantage of the canyon views.
Samperton was nice enough to send me some of the “before” pictures – so you can see what she had to work with and what she did to transform the cozy house into a first class custom home. Samperton’s style is evident throughout – she has a love of color and pattern done in a casual setting. Samperton started out working for the fabulous Michael S. Smith, and his inspiration can be seen mixed in with her own very unique style. I love her aesthetic! It’s a great mix of the chic yet friendly L.A. style.
What’s particularly interesting about this project was the fact that there were two houses – how do you decorate them so that there is actually one style throughout? In both spaces – she used mainly reds and blues mixed with calming taupes. As always, she liberally used luxe fabrics such as Bennison and Lee Jofa. The fabrics are a mix of stripes and florals and the furniture is traditional. Rather than French or English the house seems more classically American – it would feel just at home in the Hamptons as it does in California. And perhaps that Eastern vs. Western appeal comes directly from Samperton herself. Though a blonde L.A. girl through and through – she hails from the East Coast where her love of design came directly from her father, an architect. Today – her style is definitely a blend of both coasts.
Enjoy!!
Here is the façade after the renovation. A new portico was added at the front door along with windows – and chimney caps. The exterior was updated with a fresh coat of creamy paint. The area to the right was added on – to take advantage of the canyon views.
The living room has a Rose Tarlow striped sofa across from two tufted chairs. The mantel came from France, as did the flooring.
The kitchen – totally renovated with new cabinetry and white marble. The island is stained wood to keep the kitchen from having a too stark feel. Notice the wonderful antique pendants over the island. The breakfast room is open to the kitchen. Throughout the house – beams were added, along with raised ceilings wherever possible.
The cabinet is painted green – against warm red walls and blue and white plates.
BEFORE: Here is the family room before the renovation. This room looks completely different today:
AFTER: The family room. Today – a wall of French doors opens the family room to the back yard. Across the yard, you can see the guest/pool house. Schuyler used a sectional in blue with red striped and floral pillows. The rug brings in both the reds and blues. The shades are the focal point of the room – done in Bennison’s linen Malabar.
BEFORE: The powder room – with a contemporary paper and French sink console.
AFTER: The powder room is totally different – with more of an English feel. Lee Jofa fabric covers the walls, while a leaded glass window was added to let in light.
BEFORE: The master bedroom was pretty, but needed updating.
BEFORE: Another look at the bedroom in blues and khaki.
AFTER: The master bedroom is now spectacular! I love this!! New wood floors mix with a beautiful antique rug in blue. Striped sofa and canopy bed with Chelsea Editions fabric. The walls are a subtle stencil. The new wall of French doors opens to a brick terrace. This is such a Schuyler Samperton design – a gentle mix of styles and fabrics. Gorgeous!
Across from the bed – you can see the beautiful wall treatment more clearly. I love the touch of the deep orange tufted chair.
BEFORE: the master bathroom is rather plain. Just wait…..
AFTER: Entirely new – the roof was raised and a series of painted white beams were added. A beautiful crystal chandelier hangs over the white marble. The antique styled chair in a stripe and a colorful rug adds a touch of warmth, as do the two tall stained wood cabinets.
The other side of the bathroom – you can see the tub and the bay window. Samperton used the same design in the kitchen – white marble with the addition of stained woods to add the warmth. Wonderful idea for those that love white marble, but don’t want it to be cold looking.
Originally the owners shared an office, but now – the woman has her own. It’s a beautiful space with handpainted wallpaper and a wonderful chandelier. The pitch of the new roof is repeated in several rooms in the house and in the guest/pool house – creating a continuity in both houses. Love the pink fabric mixed in with all the pale blues.
A closeup of the woman’s study – showing the wallpaper and a Swedish chair and table.
BEFORE: The offices were shared by the owners. During the renovation – this space became the man’s office.
AFTER: The room was paneled for the husband, and the ceiling was raised - creating a very masculine space.
Closeup of the art work. Most of the owners art work is contemporary –but these two canvases were added to the man’s study to more fit in with the traditional décor.
BEFORE: The sons have their own area, including this sitting room.
AFTER: Samperton added stripes to the walls, which really cozies up the room. And notice the custom lampshades – another Samperton trademark.
BEFORE: All boy.
AFTER: Again, the red and blue continue the color scheme.
Here – the guest/pool house. Across the back lawn from the main house, the guest house looks like a cottage from the front façade, but it’s an illusion – it’s actually a quite large two story space. The white house and fireplace cap, along with the pane windows mimics the main house.
The side view of the cottage. You can see that it terraces down the hill revealing it is much larger than it appears from the front. The sports court is hidden behind the guest house.
Inside, the pitched, beam ceiling resembles the same design found in several rooms in the main house. After it was built, the family moved in here to await the renovation of the main house. The décor, with the red shelves and the blue and white stripes resembles the casual furnishings found in the main house.
Here is a closer view of the living area. Notice the blankets hanging at the left. I love the way she always adds the sharp stripes to her designs. It really becomes such a “look.”
At the opposite side of the main room is a dark stained bar.
One of the guest rooms in red, blue and khaki. Stripes and a quilt lend the Americana vibe here.
I hope you have enjoyed this house/guest house complex by Schuyler Samperton. While this project was completed a few years ago, this month House Beautiful featured a new house designed by Samperton.
Below are the beautiful photographs from that house:
This 1939s rather small cottage is located in Los Angeles. When Samperton was hired – the décor was more monochromatic and in the living room above – the only color came from the rug. She painted the walls and added color mostly in the fabulous chartreuse curtains and vintage pillows. She also added the coffee table, the pair of caned chairs, the large bookcase, floor lamp, and accessories.
Against the window are two cane chairs with an English vibe. The owners and Samperton are both from the East Coast – and they were influenced by the décor from that side of the country. Love the custom Samperton lampshade!!
The wife’s mother is featured in the oil painting – which adds a bit of whimsical drama.
The dining room is a favorite – wallpapered in Brunschwig & Fils' Latrobe Alabaster and mixed with a pink striped fabric curtain. The folding chairs are from Ballard Design. Surprised? I am . How many times have we all seen these chairs in the catalogue – and yet – here they are, looking so special and cute!!!
The family room is more Schuyler – pinks and blues. I love the sofas. The breakfast room is behind the sofa and the kitchen is past the bookcase. The blue fabric is from Michael Smith’s Jaspar and the ottoman is from Ballards. The majority of furniture is from Rooms and Gardens – the charming California retail store HERE.
And behind the sofa is this casual dining area with Pottery Barn chairs and traditional furniture. Notice the original porcelain doorknobs. So cute!
The kitchen is small – but charming. Samperton added her favorite fabric – Bennison Linen at the window, along with a farm sink and new appliances. The antique table and rug cozy up the space. LOVE!!!!
This guest room is wallpapered in the sweet Humming Birds by Cole & Son. The beds came from Rooms and Gardens.
The master bedroom has a Farrow and Ball striped wallpaper and Claremont fabric – all very English in feel. Love the bench at the end of the bed.
The Pheasant by Twigs wallpaper looks like Italian paper. Again, the sink and beadboard retain the cottage feel in the house.
And in what is becoming something of a Samperton trademark – a shed is converted into a living space, this time a art studio. The homeowner painted the floor blue.
And finally, the gravel path in the back yard is styled with Crate and Barrel chairs and Nathan Turner lanterns.
Finally, the beautiful Schuyler Samperton poses in the living room on the blue striped sofa.
I hope you have enjoyed this look at two projects from Schuyler Samperton – one brand new and one a bit older!!!
A huge thank you to Ms. Samperton!!!
Finally – I’d like to introduce you to a web site - Laurier Blanc – that has wonderful merchandise from all over the world. The site sells unique home decor accessories, furniture, architectural and garden elements which have been discovered from all over the world. The items were curated from travels in Southeast Asia, Africa, London, Marrakech, Istanbul and Paris.
Take a look at the web site and check it out – and be sure to look at the tab for The Royal Hunt Collection, which is being shown in Dallas at Pettigrew. It’s an amazing collection of vintage German hunting trophies.
To visit – go here:
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