Fine tailoring

IN HOLLYWOOD, A HOUSE THAT ONCE BELONGED TO BETTE DAVIS HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RENOVATED AND REFURBISHED BY VISIONNAIRE IN A MAJOR “BESPOKE” PROJECT. When Bette Davis lived here – from 1934 to 1936 – this house on North Beverly Hills Drive still had the Spanish colonial style formulated by its designer, John Byers, creator of many luxurious residences in Los Angeles in the 1920s and 1930s. Today, after complete restoration conducted by the architect Roman James, the mansion – completely refurnished by the Visionnaire LA team – becomes a hyper-modern building with volumes shaped to follow the profile of the hills, making extensive use of indoor-outdoor interactions. A total space of 900 square meters awaiting inhabitants, with a price tag of 45 million dollars, presented on the program Million Dollar Listing by Josh Altman of Douglas Elliman Real Estate: «I designed the house thinking about a wealthy bachelor or a family that does not live in LA and uses it as a second home», says James. «The house has been entirely gutted and renovated», says Eleonore Cavalli, art director of Visionnaire. «We covered the entire project, from the living areas to the lighting, the bedrooms to the outdoor zones. The brief from the client was “simply” to get away from the usual decor schemes of Los Angeles. The results have met with enthusiasm. In collaboration with the architect, we have created interiors of great theatrical impact, starting with the enormous Brunilde chandelier at the entrance». The dramatic interior design has been “made to measure”, and the lighting is the true protagonist. «Like the Bird chandeliers in crystal and feathers, in the white and black versions for the bedrooms, or

Brando, the chandelier with 32 lights, featuring velvet-finish onyx shades, designed by Samuele Mazza, which creates a warm at- 

mosphere in the dining area», Eleonore Cavalli continues. Tones of cream and gold, with variations from honey to a range of beiges, start with the onyx of the dining table and spread into all the spaces. The cinema room is accessed from a long corridor lined with photographs of Bette Davis. In three theatrical rows, large beige Reymond sofas feature internal adjustment mechanisms for the headrests and seat depth, activated by a remote control. Soft lighting is supplied by the Amanda appliques designed by Philippe Montels («a tribute to the fashion designer Paco Rabanne»). The entrance to the villa is surrounded by a green space featuring mostly Mediterranean plants. The circular pool adds a touch of Twenties charm. «I have made a salt water infinity pool with a platform allowing those in the pool to look towards the tennis courts, where there is a counter for bar service», Roman James explains. «Surrounded by fountains and lights in the evening, this area brings a more European touch to the modern lines of the house», Eleonore Cavalli concludes.