Designer Blends Modern and Vintage in LA Mediterranean Renovation
Los Angeles-based interior designer Mandy Cheng recently completed a significant renovation of a 1920s Mediterranean-style home, successfully merging contemporary tastes with the home’s original architectural character.
Bridging the Gap with Custom Built-Ins
The clients, a young couple, desired a more modern aesthetic, presenting a challenge for Cheng. Her solution was to create custom built-ins, notably a full-wall entertainment center in the family room featuring arches and integrated windows. This design element not only updated the space but also complemented contemporary pieces like a white boucle armchair and globe sconce.
Expanding the Space and Enhancing Functionality
Beyond the built-ins, Cheng reconfigured the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home into a five-bedroom, five-bath retreat to accommodate the couple’s two children. The project included adding an en-suite bathroom for each child and a refreshed primary suite. On the main floor, the kitchen was reoriented and walls were removed to create an open layout, allowing the parents to oversee their children while cooking.
Unique Tile Detail
A particularly noteworthy element of the kitchen was the hand-painted tiles sourced from Tabarka, Tunisia. Cheng highlighted the difficulty of procuring the tiles during the height of the pandemic, when shipping delays were prevalent. These tiles, spanning 3,500 square feet, contribute a sense of history and character to the modern space.
Key Design Elements
Designer: Mandy Cheng
Location: Los Angeles, California
Space: A five-bedroom, five-bathroom home spanning 3,500 square feet.
Family Room: Custom built-ins by LA Design Build, featuring a Clad Home sofa, an Article armchair, and a West Elm rug. A Meadow Blu chandelier and a One Kings Lane coffee table complete the space.
Living Room: Ceiling beams, a Lulu & Georgia rug, and a CB2 dining table contribute to the room’s inviting atmosphere.
Kitchen: Patterned tiles from Tabarka, paired with Visual Comfort & Co. pendants and Vadara Quartz counters.