There is a reason why certain homes feel monotonous and stagnant. Even if the home is well designed, it still feels… in a way…off. It usually happens when the space lacks a soul. Everything seems “right” but I feel like nothing personal. Injecting style and personality into a neglected space turns a home into a home, with designers Amanda Lee and LA’s Taylor Hahn Lorison’s House Do this every day.
It was clear that their latest project, the Hollywood Hills Estate of the 1930s, lost something important. The bones were there, but they were no longer attractive. What remained was a house where I felt generic, and I dare say it was a bit boring. That is until Lee and Hearn dive into a slump and transform.
With rich textures, a moody colour palette and bold and intentional design, this home is no longer boring. First, we’ll be taking a tour of this once confused house and chatting with the design team about its bold rethink.
Images of Nils Timm and Gavin Cater.
What influenced the renovation and did you think you would have a home in the end?
We wanted to bring the house back to life without making it feel like a past replica or a committee of Pinterest trends. When we first entered, it felt like someone had stripped us of all the charm. The structure was still strong, but the heart was lacking. Our vision was to restore that sense of soul. The purpose was to use materials with a history, a vibrant finish, and a palette that felt rich but grounded. The deep colours, textured walls and vintage materials were all chosen to make the space feel warm, a bit more cinematic and truly timeless.
How did you decide what to preserve and modernize at home?
Honestly, there wasn’t much left to preserve, which gave me creative freedom. But we kept the original stained glass windows in the stairwell. It was one of the only hints in the history of the house and built around that spirit. I sourced vintage bricks from the Facebook Marketplace (a lucky discovery!) and used them on the facade and courtyard to give the house some age and texture. For contemporary works, we focused on functionality. Things like lighting, layout, and flow will make your home feel fresh without erasing its roots.
This house feels bold in such an attractive way. What is your approach to creating such an impact with colour and design?
Bold doesn’t need to mean cold. We want to create tension. It has a soft texture, beautiful lines mixed with patina, and feels comfortable. It’s about layering it in a way that feels rich but not overly formal. We want people to walk and feel something, but we also quickly find out where to put our coffee.
You layer such impressive pieces and dark colors inside the house. What do you think about choosing items that make a statement without overwhelming the space?
Every bold moment must acquire the place. We love saturated tones and sculpture works, but the key is to give them space to breathe. Rather than decorate your room, approach it like curating it. Even if it’s subtle, elements should have a purpose and a bit of existence. The statement piece does not require a backup dancer. They just need the right background.
How did you approach it by mixing old and new elements into a grounded, timeless feel?
We are always looking for that balance. Even in more modern homes like this, we are trying to mix pieces that have a bit of soul. It prevents the space from feeling flat or being overly refined. We want it to feel like it’s coming together naturally over time…even if it actually took place with tight deadlines and a lot of espresso.
Have you faced any challenges during this design process? How did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge was dialing a bold palette without overwhelming the architecture. We wanted every space to make an impact, but we didn’t sacrifice unity. So we kept very focused on editing. If something didn’t match the vision, it wouldn’t be cut. And we are obsessed with functional details as well. It’s like cutting the outlet into stone or pushing away storage in places you didn’t expect. It’s great that it’s beautiful, but if you can’t live comfortably, you’re missing out on the point.
Looking back at the completed project, are there any specific features or elements you are particularly proud of?
Definitely the exterior. It was a hodgepodge mess when we started, but we turned it into a complete experience – under the feet, a shaded veranda, layered greenery, and a pool area where New England meets, feeling quiet and calm, and a bit of a runaway. It’s one of the spaces that put together exactly how we drew it.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
