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Project Name: Bel Air Residence 

Location: Bel Air, CA 

Date Completed: October 2018 

Interior Designer: De La Torre Design Studio  

Architect: Rios Clementi Hale Studios 

Construction Company: Richard Holtz 

Photographer: G L Askew II & Peter Murdock 

This stunning residency in Bel Air, California is a delicate balance of old and new. The original Tudor structure by Hollywood architect Paul Williams is given a modernist update with the help of a bold new colour palette, organic textures, and the client’s exceptional art collection. In order to avoid the monotony of all white rooms, de la Torre applied the “compression-expansion” effects of alternating light and dark. Asian elements (a nod to the client’s heritage) mingle effortlessly with Western and modern elements. 

The interplay of opposites makes this project truly special…the juxtaposition of old and new, the light and dark, linear and organic, East and West. This design works so well as De la Torre were able to find a perfect balance of preserving the old structure and incorporating a more modernist and minimalist style that the clients loved. The design integrates well into its wider environment through the neutral colour palette and original Tudor silhouette, which harmonises well with the natural beauty of the green hills of the adjacent Bel Air Country club. The two lower levels cascade down the steep hillside, one for a seven-car garage and another for the home gym, fully utilizing the site topography. Likewise, the outdoor terrace and pool take full advantage of the beautiful view afforded by its hilltop location. 

Specialist artisan skills were used throughout the project; The bronze and rock crystal front door and grill were created by French artist Christopher Come. Nendo lights from Carpenter’s workshop in the foyer and the flame chandelier by Stuart Haygarth bring sparkle and drama. A monumental vase and sculptures by Ai Wei Wei add pops of colour to the exterior. In the dining room, Fresco created a plaster to resemble traditional Chinese lacquer. They were inspired by a pair of 18th-century Chinese Coromandel screens that were repurposed as doors for china cabinets. Custom sculptures made by David Wiseman in the Living Room and Family Room bring the outside in, mirroring the trees that surround the property.