Hollywood Before & After

The Hollywood Regency-style house hinted at grandeur, but like a wannabe actor with raw talent and little polish, it came up shy of a winning performance. The house has location--overlooking Hollywood's Sunset Strip in a ritzy, celebrity-laden neighborhood. (Bus tours of stars' homes cruise the streets, and "limo-lock" traffic jams are common on Oscar night.) Layout and scale are spot-on, too. Rooms are nicely sized and gracefully linked.

But the house lacked architectural details--trims and finishes that would give it the stature and character it aspired to. It was as if someone wanted to build a house in the style of famed 20th-century Los Angeles architect Paul R. Williams but didn't have the budget, says owner Tim Robinson. A couple of remodels, probably in the '60s and '80s, only made things worse.

Despite its shortcomings, Tim was captivated when he and his partner, Bob Cohen, toured the house in 2005. "When you walk in the front door, you see the living room to the left, the dining room to the right, and straight ahead are French doors that open to the outside. You get this amazing panoramic view of the house and incredible flow as soon as you enter," he says. "I called the Realtor right there from the foyer and said, 'We found the house. This is it.'"

Bob wasn't so smitten, Tim admits."While I walked in and said this could be spectacular, Bob walked in and said this needs a lot of work," Tim relates. "We had two different perspectives, but they came to the same end."

After a year of collecting an armful of tearsheets and design ideas, the couple called on Los Angeles designer Timothy Corrigan to renovate the two-story, 4,800-square-foot house.

One of Corrigan's first suggestions was to remove a wall of built-in bookshelves in the living room and punch out a doorway to the library. Getting to the existing library required winding through a hall behind the stairway. "The entrance was awkward, and the room felt like an afterthought," Corrigan says. "Opening the living room to the library created better flow, and it also made for so much more light," he explains. Pine pocket doors allow the room to be closed off.

For more light and space, the designer bumped out the back wall of the library several feet and added a bay window that mirrors a similar window in the living room.

"You can literally see all the way through the house, from the bay window in the living room to the bay in the library," he explains. "Connecting those rooms gave the whole house a much more open feeling."

Corrigan replaced a ho-hum rectangular door between the foyer and the living room with an elegantly trimmed archway that upped the house's star appeal. In the living room, he dressed the ceiling with a plaster fretwork and detailed the fireplace surround and mantel in a manner inspired by the Château de Groussay near Paris. A circular convex mirror and small ledges that display 18th- and 19th-century Delft jars are incorporated into ornate paneling above the mantel.

Next, Corrigan added raised panels on the living room walls and had them painted in subtly varied shades of cream. "We installed the paneling because we wanted the room to feel more substantial," Corrigan explains. "And it looks authentic and original." So authentic that guests often ask what was added to the room. "That's the ultimate compliment," he says. "The wonderful layers and extensive detailing make the house feel like this jewel box."

The dining room is particularly jewel-like, with a gold-leaf ceiling and an 18th-century Italian chandelier suspended from a starburst plaster medallion. Shimmering effects are enhanced by a crackled porcelain wall covering inspired by Chinese celadon ceramic ware. To make the porcelain panels, clay is applied to sheets of canvas, cracked to create veins, then hand-painted and glazed.

The designer chose a silk woven damask in a contemporary design for dining room draperies and trimmed them with traditional tassel fringe. "What I was trying to achieve is classic design but with a twist," Corrigan says. "It is classic and traditional, but there is a freshness as well about the whole house."

The octagonal-shaped breakfast room with French doors to the terrace inspired Corrigan to accentuate the indoor-outdoor connections. He removed two corner cabinets to restore the room's symmetry and installed a hand-blocked paper depicting a rural landscape with a balustrade in the foreground. Playing to the room's shape, Corrigan found an antique octagonal rosewood table and commissioned a similarly shaped rug. "Even the plaster medallion on the ceiling is octagonal," he notes.

The library is where Tim and Bob and their two English bulldogs--Harry and Bess (as in Truman)--spend much of their time. Corrigan lightened the room by adding a bay window plus French doors to the terrace and replacing dark wood paneling with hand-waxed English oak panels in a warm golden hue.

Furniture is designed for comfort, including an ottoman with a plush outer edge for propping feet and a firm center that serves as a table surface. Recognizing the constant use of the room--by both the owners and the dogs--Corrigan covered many of the furnishings in luxurious-to-the-touch yet dog-friendly and stain-resistant indoor-outdoor fabrics; among them is a green velvet with contrasting cording.

The library, breakfast room, and kitchen all have glass doors to the terrace, backyard, gardens, and swimming pool, making for a seamless connection between indoors and out. "We host a lot of fund-raisers for organizations in the community," Tim says. "With all the doors leading to the terrace, we have great flow. It's a perfect house for entertaining." And for dogs.

Photography: Mark Edward Harris and Michael McCreary
Produced by Laura Hull

Interior Design:Timothy Corrigan, Timothy Corrigan Inc., 5818 West Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323/525-1802, timothy-corrigan.com.

BEFORE

The pre-renovation foyer.

AFTER

Today, the foyer is dazzling with an Italian chandelier, antique French Empire console table, and Tabriz rug.

Sources:
Rug (antique, Tabriz): Bonham's San Francisco, bonhams.com.
Console (antique, French Empire parcel-gilt and ebonized mahogany): Bonham's Los Angeles, bonhams.com.
Side chairs (antique): owner's collection.
Chandelier (Italian): John Nelson Antiques, 310/652-2103.
Fabric for striped silk shades: The Silk Trading Co., 888/745-5302, silktrading.com.
Sculpture: Jorge Marin, jorgemarin.com.
Urn on table (antique): Timothy Corrigan Antiques, 323/525-1802, timothy-corrigan.com.
Siena Scagliola column (antique): Christie's London, christies.com.
Urn on pedestal (Georgian ebonized mahogany urn, antique): Sotheby's New York, sothebys.com.
Wall paint ("Dayroom Yellow" #233); trim color ("Pointing" #2003): Farrow & Ball, 888/511-1121, farrow-ball.com.
Ceiling paint ("Riviera Terrace" #WW50): Ralph Lauren Paint, 800/379-7656, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Carpet on stairway (wool sisal): Stark Carpet, 212/752-9000, starkcarpet.com.

The fantastical detailing of the French Empire console table.

Sources:
Console (antique, French Empire parcel-gilt and ebonized mahogany): Bonham's Los Angeles, bonhams.com.

BEFORE

The pre-renovation living room.

AFTER

Curvaceous Avery Boardman sofas face a shagreen-and-cast-bronze coffee table designed by Timothy Corrigan.

Sources:
Rug (Persian Kerman, c. 1920): Doris Leslie Blau, 212/586-5511, dorisleslieblau.com.
Plaster ceiling: Hyde Park Mouldings, 631/752-7837, hyde-park.com.
Sofas ("Barrymore" #605): Avery Boardman, 800/634-6647, averyboardman.com.
Sofa fabric ("Vicarrio Silk Damask"/Champagne (#22240): Schumacher, 800/523-1200, fschumacher.com.
Cord trim (small cable #PV79917-214): Clarence House, 800/803-2850, clarencehouse.com.
Blue pillows ("Posh Velvet"/Cerulean #26109-505, discontinued): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Striped pillows ("Delamont" #NCF3540/06, by Nina Campbell): Osborne & Little, 877/322-7420, osborneandlittle.com.
Damask pillow ("Raphael Damask"/Blue #190462.00, discontinued): Brunschwig & Fils, 800/538-1880, brunschwig.com.
Trim on striped pillow and damask pillow (#33031-9606, Linea Collection, discontinued): Houlès, 310/652-6171, houles.com.
Armchairs ("Camden Chair"); bench ("Brighton Bench"): Schumacher, 800/523-1200, fschumacher.com.
Chair fabric ("Menam"/Lead #1058-17): Jim Thompson, 800/262-0336, jimthompsonfabrics.com.
Bench fabric ("Sonia Velvet"/Slate #34156-3): Clarence House, 800/803-2850, clarencehouse.com.
Bench trim (#31280-9610, Antica Collection): Houlès, 310/652-6171, houles.com.
Drapery ("Evita"/Spa #8354): Pindler & Pindler, 805/531-9090, pindler.com.
Coffee table ("Doheny Table," Shagreen and cast bronze): Timothy Corrigan Antiques, 323/525-1802, timothy-corrigan.com/antiques.
Piano bench ("Ployant Bench"): Therien Studio Workshops, studioworkshops.com.
Piano-bench fabric ("Velluto Spina"/Beige #BL032-3742): Christopher Hyland Inc., 212/688-6121, christopherhyland.net.
Chenille brush fringe: Samuel & Sons, 212/704-8000, samuelandsons.com.
Octagonal table (Regency, mahogany and satinwood): Sotheby's New York, sothebys.com.
Garden urns (antique): Christie's Paris, christies.com.
Columns (antique, walnut and giltwood): Bruun Rasmussen, Auctioneers, Copenhagen, bruun-rassmussen.dk. Starburst mirror: Paris flea market.
Mantel design (by Timothy Corrigan, modified from Chateau du Groussay, France): Timothy Corrigan Inc., 323/525-1802, timothy-corrigan.com.
Millwork: JW Custom Woodwork, 818/834-0194.
Vases on mantel (antique, blue-and-white delft jars): Christie's London, christies.com.
Flowers: Silver Birches, Pasadena, CA; 626/796-1431, silverbirches.net.
Accessories: Timothy Corrigan Antiques, 323/525-1802, timothy-corrigan.com/antiques.
Wall-and-trim paint ("Dorset Cream" #68): Farrow & ball, 888/511-1121, farrow-ball.com.
Ceiling paint ("Riviera Terrace" #WW50): Ralph Lauren Paint, 800/379-7656, ralphlaurenhome.com.

A plain door between the foyer and living room was recast as an elegantly trimmed arch. Another door was added (between the two griffin tables) to connect the living room and the library.

Sources:
Griffin tables (painted and parcel-gilt Regency console table with white marble top): Christie's London, christies.com.
Oil painting (Tim Robinson, by Aaron Smith): Koplin Del Rio Gallery, 310/836-9055. koplindelrio.com.
Frame (custom): Vandeuren Archival framing, 323/874-0008, vandeuren.com.
Wedgwod basalt urn; marble columns (antique): Timothy Corrigan Antiques, 323/525-1802, timothy-corrigan.com.
Vase (sterling silver): Odiot, Paris, odiot.com.
Flowers: Silver Birches, Pasadena, CA; 626/796-1431, silverbirches.net.

BEFORE

The pre-renovation dining room.

AFTER

Hollywood glam rules in the dining room with a gold-leaf ceiling and chairs designed by Billy Haines covered in Clarence House coral velvet.

Sources:
Table (antique, mahogany and ormolu): Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen, bruun-rasmussen.dk.
Dining chairs (William "Billy" Haines, from the Jack Warner estate, c. 1950): Christie's Los Angeles, christies.com.
Chair fabric ("Castellamonte Velvet"/Rose #33877-3): Clarence House, 800/803-2850, clarencehouse.com.
Trim (#31181-9242, discontinued): Houlès, 310/652-6171, houles.com.
Side chairs (antique); wire jardinière (antique, Victorian); pair of Papal reliquaries (antique); sterling silver candlesticks: owner's collection.
Fabric on side chair ("Pavelkodot"/Coral); fabric on chandelier shades: The Silk Trading Co., 888/745-5302, silktrading.com.
Trim on side chair (discontinued): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Chandelier (antique): Drouot, Paris, drouot.com.
Area rug (antique, Tabriz): Sotheby's Amsterdam, sothebys.com.
Drapery ("Kajana" #1983-4, by Sahco): Bergamo Fabrics, 914/665-0800, bergamofabrics.com.
Drapery trim (#33077-9377, Aurora Collection): Houlès, 310/652-6171, houles.com.
Sideboard (antique, Sheraton): owner's collection.
Dinnerware ("Imari"): Royal Crown Derby, royalcrownderby.co.uk.
Linens: Timothy Corrigan Home, 323/525-1802, timothy-corrigan.com.
Flowers: Silver Birches, Pasadena, CA; 626/796-1431, silverbirches.net.
Sconces (antique): flea-market find.
Walls ("Porcelain"/Celadon #PN-8): Silk Dynasty Inc., 650/903-0078, silkdynasty.com.
Ceiling wallpaper ("Gold Leaf"): Zuber Inc, 212/486-9226, zuber.fr.
Trim paint ("Vert de Terre" #234, and "Sand" #45): Farrow & Ball, 888/511-1121, farrow-ball.com.
Ceiling centerpiece (#464): Fischer & Jirouch, fischerandjirouch.com.
Mirror; accessories: Timothy Corrigan Antiques, 323/525-1802, timothy-corrigan.com/antiques.

The dining room's gold-leaf ceiling and 18th-century Italian chandelier suspended from a starburst plaster medallion.

BEFORE

The pre-renovation breakfast room.

AFTER

A hand-blocked Zuber wall covering depicting a French landscape enhances the breakfast room's connection to the outdoors. An octagonal Stark rug and antique table echo the shape of the room.

Sources:
Wallpaper ("Balustrade" and "Les Lontains" in Verdure): Zuber Inc, 212/486-9226, zuber.fr.
Ceiling paint ("Borrowed Light" #235); trim paint ("Pointing" #2003): Farrow & Ball, 888/511-1121, farrow-ball.com.
Table (antique, William IV, rosewood): Sotheby's London, sothebys.com.
Chairs (antique, French Restoration, mahogany): Christie's Paris, christies.com.
Chair-seat fabric ("Dorset"/ Green, discontinued): Pindler & Pindler Inc., 805/531-9090, pindler.com.
Chandelier (early 20th-century, Murano, Venice): owner's collection.
China: Hermès New York, 212/751-3181, hermes.com.
Flowers: Silver Birches, Pasadena, CA; 626/796-1431, silverbirches.net.
Rug ("Wilkes"/Yellow); rug border ("Kristen"/Yellow): Stark Carpet Corp., 212/752-9000, starkcarpet.com.

BEFORE

The pre-renovation library.

AFTER

The library is where homeowners Bill Cohen and Tim Robinson--and, evidently, bulldog Bess--spend much of their leisure time. Furniture is covered in easy-care material, including Pindler & Pindler fabrics on the sofa and armchairs and Larsen's Panama Wheat on the Schumacher ottoman.

Sources:
Sofa: owner's collection.
Sofa fabric ("Moidore"/Goldenrod #9784): Pindler & Pindler, 805/531-9090, pindler.com.
Sofa pillows ("Mirande Velvet Dam¬ask"/Evergreen, discontinued): Brunschwig & Fils, 800/538-1880, brunschwig.com.
Sofa pillows ("Broderick" #3, discontinued): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Roman-shade fabric (in Antique Green #26545-006): Scalamandré, 800/932-4361, scalamandre.com.
Armchairs ("Classic Roll Arm Chair" #110): Monte Allen Collection, 310/207-7676, monteallen.com.
Fabric ("Cavalier" #5786): Pindler & Pindler Inc., 805/531-9090, pindler.com.
Trim ("Lilibet Small Rope with tape"/Green, Apricot #30309-m46, discontinued): Brunschwig & Fils, 800/538-1880, brunschwig.com.
Pillows on armchairs ("Broderick" #3, discontinued): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Trim (#33039-9831, discontinued): Houlès, 310/652-6171, houles.com.
Ottoman/coffee table ("St. James"): Schumacher, 800/523-1200, fschumacher.com.
Ottoman fabric ("Panama"/Wheat #8691-05, by Larsen, discontinued): Cowtan & Tout, 212/647-6900, cowtan.com.
Rug (antique, Indian): Christie's New York, christies.com.
Painting (Greed, by Carlos Amaraz): owner's collection.
Lamp (antique): Paris flea market.
Lampshade: The Silk Trading Co., 888/745-5302, silktrading.com.
Accessories: Timothy Corrigan Antiques, 323/525-1802, timothy-corrigan.com.

The library desk is 19th-century French Rosewood, purchased through Sotheby's.

Sources:
Desk (antique): Sotheby's London, sothebys.com.
Rug (antique, Indian): Christie's New York, christies.com.

BEFORE

The pre-renovation backyard.

AFTER

Landscaped terraces and lattice fences and arbors from Walpole Woodworkers surround a backyard swimming pool.

Sources:
Pergola: Walpole Woodworkers, 800/343-6948, walpolewoodworkers.com.

Homeowners Bob Cohen (standing with bulldog Harry) and Tim Robinson (seated with Bess).

Interior designer Timothy Corrigan