Lucerne

Built in 1914, this stately Italian Renaissance home is located in one of L.A.'s most pristine historic enclaves. Un-loved, but also mercifully un-touched, over the years, we chose to honor the classical references in reviving the run-down house and grounds.

We set the restored-house on a plinth, linked to the street by a series of blue-stone ashlar terraces and steps. Hand-painted, Zuber dining room wallpaper inspired the planting palette. Plantings use soft blues, gray-greens, mauves, violet and a range of pinks to both complement and highlight the architecture. A fountain added to the side yard brings the outdoors into the living-room experience.

The new pool house and garage contain the rear garden that has been re-imagined with a new rose-covered trellis, pool and romantic border plantings. Now allowing for greater flow and outdoor entertaining, the garden is completed by a trellis backdrop which is flanked by restored, classical arcades.

Imbued with history and unspoiled by previous owners' "good intentions," the property offered the rare opportunity to create contemporary gardens, terraces, pool house, pool and spa that ground the house and reflect - but are not constrained by - its heritage.

Credits: Building Restoration, Offenhauser Mekeel
Garden Design, Sarah Munster
Interior Design, Annie Kelly
Photography, Dominique Vorillon