An Elegant L.A. Home Is All About The Details

Designer Janice Barta undertook both the interiors and the interior architectural design for a Los Angeles residence. In the entry, she kept the furnishings simple, incorporating two of the homeowners' own finds--a chest and a mirror discovered at an estate sale--into a niche. The choice allows the paneling and moldings, installed under the direction of builder Garnik Badalyans, to take center stage.

Architect Philip Vertoch riffed on traditional center-hall-plan homes. Though the formal entry boasts a classic curving stairway, the space opens to the surrounding rooms in a nod to a more contemporary way of living. The family's Labradoodle, Timu (short for Tiramisu), lounges on herringbone-pattern oak flooring from Masterpiece Hardwood Flooring. Above is a Paul Ferrante light.

Making up the living room's main seating area is a custom sofa dressed in a Lee Jofa fabric, a coffee table, a bench in a Schumacher fabric and a pair of chairs, all by Bernhardt. Both the sconces, framing a painting by artist Nguyen Thanh Binh, and the lamp on the console are by Visual Comfort & Co. Grounding the room is a custom rug from Carpet Studio & Design.

In the family room, new pieces, including a Bernhardt coffee table, a lounge chair in a Pindler fabric and a sectional, mix with a console table from Hong Kong topped with vintage lamps; the jute rug is from Carpet Studio & Design. Barta designed the beamed tongue-and-groove ceiling, while the moldings are from Saroyan Lumber.

he home's layout emphasizes indoor/outdoor living. To that end, a LaCantina bifold, wood-clad door opens the family room directly onto a covered area perfect for alfresco living and dining. The dining portion features an RH table and chairs. Adjacent is a seating area with Sunbrella fabric on the clients' existing sofa.

From the patio dining area, set on concrete pavers, landscape designer Randon Garver's tailored garden is visible. The pool is by Babylon Pools. A tall hedge maintains the family's privacy when enjoying the home's outdoor spaces.

Caesarstone countertops bracket the kitchen's Wolf range from Ferguson. The backsplash and island, lit by Visual Comfort & Co. pendants, are in Calacatta marble from Ollin Stone; the island faucet and pot filler are by Waterworks. Barta devised a two-tier solution for the cabinetry--the solid doors are for general storage, while X marks the spot for the more decorative items. The counter chairs are by CB2.

The clients' own Lucite chairs combine with a Knoll table from Design Within Reach and a Robert Abbey hanging light to create a stylish breakfast area in the kitchen. A Thibaut outdoor fabric covers the banquette cushions, making it durable and easy to clean. Piping the cushions is linen from F&S Fabrics.

Tempering the formality of the dining room is a Harlequin wallcovering from Egg & Dart. Vintage Chinese Chippendale-style chairs from 1stdibs surround the Liaigre table from Thomas Lavin. Above is a Jonathan Adler for Robert Abbey chandelier; the sconce is by Visual Comfort & Co. The silk Aga John Oriental Rugs carpet continues the understated palette of the space.

In the wife's office, which opens onto the back garden, a Bernhardt lacquered desk is accessorized with a Visual Comfort & Co. lamp. The Currey & Company chandelier boasts an antique gold-leaf finish, and the eyecatching zebra-pattern hide rug is from the clients' own collection.

A CB2 table with a marble base is adorned with a vintage acorn the designer nabbed at a flea market.

White coral sits atop an art book on an antique brass tray in the living room. Throughout, Barta crafted small pleasing decorative moments to delight the eye.

Calacatta marble from Ollin Stone tops the powder room vanity inset with a Waterworks sink and faucet. The walls are adorned with Harlequin wallpaper, and the sconces are from Visual Comfort & Co. Barta designed the crisp cabinetry here as she did throughout the home.

In one of the bedrooms, the navy-and-white-striped walls provide a classic backdrop for the upholstered Bernhardt bed decorated with custom pillows and a colorful quilt. Topping a Bernhardt table is a midcentury candlestick the designer had converted into a lamp. The West Elm carpet is a plush counterpoint to the room's tailored aura.