A Retro-Styled Conversation Pit Adds Volume in This Los Angeles Renovation

“If we can’t go up, let’s go down”

By Morgan Goldberg Photography by Naho Kubota November 3, 2020

“EVERYTHING I OWN IS COLORFUL, SO I NEEDED THAT NEUTRAL BACKGROUND TO SUPPORT IT,” GERALDINE CHUNG ELUCIDATES. NOV ARCHITECTUAL DIGEST | ISSUE TWO | The inviting conversation pit is a true showstopper.The invitingconversation pit isatrue she lookedto employ serene,neutralhues intheremodelof withcolor.To balanceouthervibrantclothing andart, filled young, emergingdesigners, Geraldine Chunghasadailylife As thefounderofLCD,a fashion boutiquethatpromotes true home. white tilesand wallpaint,itlackedthedepth anddetailofa theinteriorwithstandard previous ownerhadalreadyflipped her 1953 house in L.A.’s Mar Vista neighborhood. Though the Geraldine entrusted Kristin Korven and Jeff Kaplon A seat in the of architecture and design studio Part Office with the challenge of transforming and personalizing the cozy crater provides blank slate — all while keeping it predominantly a unique, lower-than- white. By playing with a mix of tones and materials, usual perspective. nuance and intrigue were achieved. “The quick antidote to a renovation is just painting everything white, and the more unanimous your palette is, Through original the more generic it feels. Using different shades glass sliding doors, throughout subliminally reminds you that you’re in a lush garden view a very custom space,” Kristin explains, comparing the existing and updated decor. lies ahead.

The cabinet bases With soothing Benjamin Moore Dove Wing on the are also eye-level, walls and a glossy version on the wood floors, the contrast is minimal yet impactful. Lacquered millwork so Kristin and Jeff and powder-coated hardware match Benjamin Moore celebrated this Classic Gray for a slightly richer note, as a silvery Concrete Collaborative Venice Terrazzo backsplash often-ignored spot and a milky Caesarstone countertop supply layers of with graphic optical stimulation. avalanche marble. The same material While the variety of whites offers subtle originality, composes a sculptural, a plush sunken pit makes an idiosyncratic splash. built-in coffee table An effort to maximize volume, the retro feature was proposed jokingly when the team realized that that’s flush raising the ceiling would be impossible. “If we can’t with the floor. go up, let’s go down,” Geraldine had suggested. Though the trio initially laughed off the idea, it eventually became a defining element of the project. Outfitted with oatmeal wool carpeting and washable linen upholstery, it’s a striking nod to the home’s midcentury roots.

Original glass sliding doors fuse the leafy patio with the concave living room. NOV ARCHITECTUAL DIGEST | ISSUE TWO | graphic avalanche marble. The same material composes a sculptural, built-in coffee table that’s flush withthefloor. graphic avalanchemarble.The samematerialcomposesasculptural,built-incoffeetable that’sflush garden view lies ahead.The cabinet bases are also eye-level,soKristinandJeffcelebrated this often-ignored spot with A seatinthecozycraterprovides aunique,lower-than-usualperspective.Through originalglassslidingdoors,alush THE RACING GREENTEAM THE RACING shines through. Stranger Things–reminiscent Stitch Stool. In Geraldine’s tranquil, pearly oasis, her radiant personality Simons fabriccollection,whileshetappedherfriendEny LeeParkerforapsychedelicOoLampand funky moments.Kellygreen,peach,andpalepinkcushionsweresourcedfromacovetedKvadrat/Raf Even with her commitment to a calming scheme, Geraldine could not resist incorporating a few bright, “It elevatesthewholeroom.” futuristic constructionismorethanjustapracticalsolution.“It’ssuchvisualfocalpoint,”Jeffopines. naturalsunshine,butthe so thattherangecouldsettleinafunctionallocationwithoutsacrificing to a bold, cylindrical hood that mysteriously descends from the cavity. The two items were combined Skylights areutilizedtoenforceasenseofvastness,aswell.Onethem,abovethekitchenisland,ishost that thesurfacepreciselyalignswithcurvedmaplebanquetteandcaseddoorframe. the verdantbackyard.“Itwasatricktocreatefeelingofmuchbiggerroom,”Kristindescribes,adding intentionally impedeaglimpsebeneaththeashtable.Indiningarea,giantmirrorsheetreflects theentrysequenceand cramped, dysfunctionallayout.Anonstructuralpoleandapony walldefine Similarly strategicsightlinesweredevisedthroughouttheairyopenplanthatresolvedapreviously profile interiordesign projects. profile international recognitionfor anumberofhishigh interior designmarket Jonathan hasreceived With overadecadeofexperience intheCalifornian some ofHollywood’sbiggestnames. contractor andhasworkedasDesignConsultantto Operations Director.HeisalicensedRealtorand Jonathan joinedRacingGreenGroupin2015as OPERATIONSCHIEF DIRECTOR JONATHAN WAUD a billioninM&Atransactionsunderhisbelt. both London&LosAngelesmarketsandhasoverhalf has a proven track record in real estate development in Dougal isbothalicensedcontractorandrealtor, Investment strategy. specializes inLuxuryRealEstateDevelopmentand Dougal isfounderoftheRacingGreenGroupand EXECUTIVEOFFICER CHIEF DOUGAL MURRAY disturbing the neutralcolorpalatte. Parker brightenup thespace without Pops of color and alamp from Eny Lee [email protected] RACING GREEN:310.951.4080

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