I helped my friend snag this dream modernist home. It stands in the Colony, an exclusive enclave in Nichols Canyon known for its concentration of preserved mid-century residences. Designed by Case Study architect Whitney R. Smith of the firm Smith & Williams in 1960 and overhauled to perfection with a contemporary flair by Ome Dezin.
The House Tour
The approach begins on a wide no-through street lined with landscaped lawns and remarkable mid-century dwellings.
Curbside, the house exhibits a clear modernist aesthetic with a saw-tooth roofline, circular windows likely installed during a mid-90s renovation, and a newly installed custom, oversized pivot door with a giant porthole window flanked by glass blocks.
Inside, you step into a double-height foyer. Light filters through the glass of the sawtooth ceiling, doors, and windows that frame the greenery outside. The living room, anchored by a fireplace, looks onto the dining area and kitchen, which is centered around a marble island and custom cabinetry. Completing the main level is a lounge open to the foyer, laundry room, a private bedroom suite with direct access to the outdoors, a power room, and a shared bathroom with copper accents and glass bricks.
A monumental spiral staircase, painted cream with a blood-red underbelly, ascends to a skylit landing lined with shelves where I imagine you’ll spend many afternoons reading your favorite novel or get inspired flipping through your favorite interior design or art books.
The landing segues to a serene primary suite. Sliding glass doors frame the surrounding lush canyon. On one side, a headboard wall, wrapped in darkly stained wood, provides a visual separation from the closet space beyond. Two circular windows let in natural light. On the other side is a spa-like bathroom. A soaking tub is bathed in natural light filtering through a porthole window.
As noted in the listing, “Outdoors, the grounds are arranged across two levels. The first features a fully replastered pool, lounge area, in-ground spa, and outdoor dining space, where the home’s architectural lines can be appreciated in full. A second, more secluded tier offers a shaded terrace, a Zen garden, and a sauna creating a series of intimate environments within the landscape.”
