Skip to main content

East Meets West in the Hills of Hollywood

When clients are design enthusiasts, you may think coming up with their dream home will be a breeze. Sometimes the opposite is true though, resulting in a “too many cooks in the kitchen” scenario. Luckily for Kristen Becker of Mutuus Studio, working with her clients for their Hollywood Hills Home resulted in a seamless blend of ideas and styles to create a space that is both luxurious and cozy.

Taking inspiration from the clients’ travels around the world, Hollywood Hills Home is a combination of old and new, rugged and indulgent. This home is a blend of Asian inspiration, Irish castles, and a desire to live a more simple life. Add to that the complication of a small build site on a slope, and this project could have easily overwhelmed a less experienced designer. But thanks to her keen eye, and with guidance from mentor Tom Kundig of world-renowned Olson Kundig, Becker created a home that goes above and beyond expectations. 

Outside, classic Asian forms are easy to spot. Flat roof lines gently slope down to allow solar panels to capture every last drop of sunshine throughout the day. Windows are mullioned with black steel — a striking visual that resembles the paper screens typical of Japanese homes. At the back of the house, the main level cantilevers out over the patio, creating a shady spot for lounge chairs arranged around the pool. The roof extends dramatically outward. By keeping the corners of the roof flat rather than curled up, Becker cleverly adds a contemporary twist to the classic Chinese pagoda.

Time and time again we have seen how a small footprint for a home does not mean basic or boring and the same can be said for this retreat perched at the top of a hill. Just getting to the entrance of Hollywood Hills Home is an adventure that takes you through a secret garden. Climbing the stairs to the main level, emerald greens reminiscent of Ireland surround you thanks to the lush landscaping designed by Andrea Cochran. From there, cross the “drawbridge” made of wood and steel and hope you know the secret password or the massive bronze entry door won’t open for you. 

Once inside of this contemporary castle, guests are greeted with a sophisticated and carefully curated global-inspired space. While Asian and Irish influences may have guided the overall architecture of the home, inside is a beautiful blend of everything from African animal print stools to Western tribal print area rugs. Everywhere you turn there is a unique piece of decor that you just know has a story behind it.

The design of the home also speaks to the blending of elements. Old meets new in the combination of seemingly disparate styles and materials. One bathroom speaks to Japanese zen bath houses while the bar stools at the kitchen island feel straight from the roaring 1920’s. Rugged concrete and steel are softened by warm woods and leather seating. A central hearth anchors the family room, adding an extra cozy touch to the space. 

One of the main focal points of the open-plan family room is the massive chainmail chandelier above the dining table. It reminds you that no matter what country or design period these elements come from — this home is someone’s castle. 

There was an intentional flow created in Hollywood Hills Home that leads from the loud, fun, open public spaces down to the tucked away, cozy, quiet, private spaces. Just in the way that the decor picked up from the couple’s global expeditions, the home itself takes you on a journey and tells the story of the family that lives there.

Editors' Recommendations

Kelsey Machado
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kelsey is a professional interior designer with over a decade of experience in the design field. With a passion for…
12 classic sci-fi books everyone should read
If you love science fiction and reading, these classic sci-fi novels are a must
Man reading a book and drinking coffee

It may feel like we were recently living in a science-fiction dystopia life -- and in some ways, we were -- but that doesn't mean that we should simply avoid an entire genre of writing. Hardly. In fact, this is probably the perfect time to explore classic sci-fi books, to see what the masters have written, and maybe even see if someone predicted anything like this. Many, though, simply ignore sci-fi wholly and completely because of an association with robots, aliens, and the like.

Long story short, if you think you don't like sci-fi, you have never read great books from the genre. But indeed, many such books abound, including a number that has delighted generations of readers going back well over 150 years. In fact, one of the best things about so many sci-fi books is their very timelessness. As by definition, this type of fiction breaks away from the norms of the everyday world -- whether slightly twisting things or taking place on entire other worlds -- the stories often feel as fresh and relevant today as when they were published decades ago.

Read more
The 7 best classic fantasy books to get lost in
Even adults can enjoy entering the fantasy world
Man reading a book

Using the term "fantasy" when it comes to fiction, we are admittedly casting a pretty wide net. After all, think about just how many shows and movies could technically be considered fantasy, too. If. we're talking about classic, canonical fantasy, though, the net shrinks considerably. If a book is to stand the test of time to be considered a classic -- regardless of genre -- it has to be damn good. At the risk of offending plenty of authors and fantasy fans both of yesteryear and today, most fantasy writing ... how should I put this? In a few decades, it won't be on some future writer's list of fantasy classics.

I say all that as an absolute fan of fantasy writing. From the Game of Thrones books, our era's Lord of the Rings, to the novels of Neil Gaiman, to the Twilight series (except not that), there is a plethora of great fantasy writing being produced today. But if you're looking to get into the genre or are already an aficionado with a few gaps in your reading list, classic fantasy novels are always a fine choice, as are classic mysteries, classic adventure books, and on it goes across every genre of literature.

Read more
How do cigars make you feel? My experience as a cigar smoker
Man smoking a cigar in a newsboy cap outside.

Most enthusiasts and cigar lovers smoke for more than just the appearance. In other words, it's not about looking cool or suave but about the experience itself. Smoking a good cigar is flavorful, pleasurable, and relaxing, and, on occasion, may even make you feel light-headed or give you a slight buzz -- although it's nothing like drinking or imbibing other common substances. For someone who's never smoked before or is interested in getting into the hobby, wondering just how cigars make you feel is a valid concern. What can you expect, and what is it about cigars that change the experience for better or worse?
How does a cigar make you feel?

For the most part, a cigar experience is pleasurable and relaxing, but nothing more. You don't smoke to feel something, so it's not like drinking alcohol or taking other substances in the sense that you're doing it to chase a particular feeling. If you like drinking for the taste or the flavors, that's the best comparison to smoking a cigar. A good cigar will be aromatic but also leaves a lot of nuanced flavor on your tongue and, if you retro-hale, in your nostrils. You'll get hints of chocolate, coffee, leather, spice, and maybe even some sweet tones like fruit. It depends on the cigar and the blend.

Read more