Hollywood Haven for Loved Ones and a Celeb

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Meeting a star may be an intimidating experience — of working with one, the idea can be downright scary. However, while designer Elizabeth Gordon first met with actor and comic Joel McHale (of The Soup and Community) along with his wife, Sarah, she felt immediately at ease. “Despite his star, he was down to earth and fun because any customer I have ever worked with,” Gordon says.

This remodeled home was spacious and had the ideal location, but several developments over the years had made each room feel disconnected from the others. The McHales desired to bring some of the tender, quiet colors of the surrounding gardens to the home, therefore Gordon stuck using a soothing nature-inspired palette.

at a Glance:
Who lives here: Joel McHale, wife Sarah and their two sons
Location: Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles
Size: 9,800 square feet
That’s interesting: Sarah McHale is a graphic artist and designer, and worked closely with Gordon to design the home.

Elizabeth Gordon

Gordon was encouraged by Sarah’s background in graphic design to experiment with colors and patterns. “She does not believe in white chambers, so it made it fun to pull the spaces together,” Gordon says.

Ceiling: habit chinoiserie background; starburst mirror: Global Views

Elizabeth Gordon

The outside grounds around the home have been renovated at the same time as the interior, and Gordon wanted the rooms to feel like an expansion of the gardens out. The colour palette of every room reflects the perspectives out its windows.

Couches: habit, upholstered in Donghia herringbone; dining table lamps: Surrey tray table lamps, Circa Lighting

Elizabeth Gordon

One of the only exceptions into the blue and green color palette is the family entertainment area. Warm reds, reds and browns make this a comfortable and welcoming hangout spot for the family. Durability was crucial here — sturdy fabrics were chosen to hold up against the wear and tear from two small boys. An ottoman instead of a coffee table averts banged-up knees.

Couch: Gabriel Sleeper Sofa, Weego Home; wall paint: Fall Foliage, Pratt & Lambert; ottoman: habit using bamboo fabric; lamps, cowhide: vintage

Elizabeth Gordon

Some of the modifications made in the house’s original design created the spaces feel awkward. The original family room was.

Gordon designed full-height, wall-to-wall cabinetry which visually straightened out the primary wall of the room. Among the bookshelves swings ahead, showing extra storage space from the leftover space behind the shelf.

Console: Monaco credenza, Weego Home

Elizabeth Gordon

The blue-green chairs along with branchlike chandelier in the dining area were motivated by the wooded background on the far wall. While some rooms were designed based on a part of wallpaper or furniture, others were motivated by the view out the windows or the lighting at a particular time of day.

Table: habit with bone inlay detail; chairs: Crocus, Ironies; chandelier: habit in faux bois complete; ceiling: habit background

Elizabeth Gordon

Considering that the couple has two young children and two crazy work schedules, they had some areas in their home to be a sanctuary from the chaos. The soft grays, blues and purples from the master bedroom immediately soothe the eye and also tone the Hollywood-glam light.

Pendants: Fantasy Lighting; chandelier: Retro Gallery; Color: Lawrence of La Brea; nightstands, wall covering: habit

Elizabeth Gordon

At the time of the remodel, the two of the McHales’ children were younger than four decades old, therefore making the home child friendly was a big priority. The oldest son’s room is ideal for a toddler but has been designed with colors and materials that may grow with him. Easy-to-reach storage makes obtaining toys a snap and also allows for rapid cleanup.

Elizabeth Gordon

The couple wanted to incorporate as many of their previous pieces of furniture as possible, so many of those bits were refinished or reupholstered to work with the design — such as the plush rocker from the nursery.

Wall paint: Sepia Brown, Pratt & Lambert; Shade: Damask Shade, Weego Baby

Elizabeth Gordon

The guest bedroom is another area that strays in the colour palette in the rest of the home. “I took a cue in the style of the home itself and utilized the neocolonial design for a reference with the architectural designs, while still incorporating modern touches from the furnishings,” says Gordon.

Table lamps: C Table Lamp, Global Perspectives; bedframe: West Elm; wall paint: Teddy Bear, Dunn Edwards

Elizabeth Gordon

The guest toilet, with background that occupies the series, is just one of Gordon’s treasured spaces in the home. The mix of conventional and contemporary detailing reflects the same look of the guest bedroom.

Wallpaper: Flowering Quince, Kneedler Fauchere; bathtub : Celine, American Bath Factory

Elizabeth Gordon

Both Joel and Sarah desired distance to work that’s distinct from the rest of the home. A downstairs home office provides space for the few to work at the same time, with plenty of storage for papers and books.

Wall paint: Ecological, Dunn Edwards; chandelier: Pipa Bowl, Oly Studio; desk: habit

Elizabeth Gordon

A sofa and coffee table at the office are tucked into a corner, so the few can entertain customers if necessary. Quirky lamps add a contemporary touch to the cozy nook. “It was essential that the distances represent the uniqueness and eclecticism of the lifestyle,” says Gordon.

Couch and coffee table: customers’ own; dining table lamps: Truffault Lamps, Kenneth Wingard

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