From wildfire ashes: designer reclaims hollywood’s haunted past
The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires may have ravaged the landscape, but from the devastation emerged a remarkable second chance for Claire Thomas – and a stunning architectural resurrection.
A ghostly beginning, a modern revival
Thomas, along with her family, found refuge in Claremont, settling into a meticulously preserved 1931 Spanish Colonial. This wasn’t just a home; it was a legacy, originally conceived by the legendary architect Peter Ficker and later designated as an AIA Case Study house. Thomas’s mission? To honor that storied past, meticulously restoring the property to its original 1931 glory.
“My goal was simple: bring it back to life,” she explained. And ‘life’ is precisely what she delivered – a space brimming with a palpable Old Hollywood mystique, a feeling she describes as “the stomping grounds of Norma Desmond’s ghost, in the best way.” It’s a delightfully unsettling sentiment, hinting at the layers of history contained within these walls.
The project demanded a radical overhaul. The kitchen, primary bath, and a subterranean speakeasy-style basement were gutted entirely. Yet, the resulting interior is a captivating paradox – richly layered with barkcloth-inspired wallcoverings, leopard-print carpet, and custom-molded tile mosaics. It’s a riot of romanticism, a deliberate embrace of the opulent, slightly decadent aesthetic of the era.
Each room is a carefully curated homage to classic film design, drawing inspiration from the iconic RKO musicals of the 1930s. Thomas, who herself grew up in a Spanish Colonial, views this restoration as profoundly personal. “Before this, every home I’ve lived in has been me expressing someone else’s vision,” she admits, “with as much respect to the past as possible.” Now, she’s building a family within this historical sanctuary – a “healing” experience, as she puts it, allowing her daughter to “arrive home and can dream again.”
Details that whisper of decadence
The speakeasy basement is a particular marvel. A serendipitous discovery – two vintage lamps acquired for a mere $40 – served as the room’s focal point. “They just feel like a burlesque dancer’s costume,” Thomas quipped, encapsulating the space’s intoxicating allure. The ruby-toned walls and strategically placed sconces create an atmosphere of clandestine glamour, a space that practically begs to be whispered secrets in.
Beyond the basement, the renovation boasts an exquisitely designed dining room, anchored by antique furniture and a wallpaper that evokes a woodland scene. “The moral of the story is to use antique auctions when you can!” Thomas exclaimed, a testament to her resourceful approach. The kitchen, a stunning homage to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House, is bathed in creamy hues and features patinated hardware – a deliberate nod to Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Even the home office, a surprisingly functional space, reflects Thomas’s meticulous eye. A cozy fireplace, a comfortable swivel chair, and a ceiling wallpaper reminiscent of alfresco relaxation guarantee a productive, yet inviting, work environment. “Beyond these windows is the yard with 150-year-old oak trees,” she notes, “so I chose a wallpaper that felt like a continuation of the treetops outside.”
Fast facts
Designer: Claire Thomas
Location: Claremont, California
Space: Four-bedroom, four-bathroom home spanning 5,100 square feet
Speakeasy details
Tile: Fireclay Tile
Sconces: Regina Andrews
Wall drapery: Pepper Home
Closing statement
This isn’t merely a renovation; it’s a reclamation – a defiant embrace of Hollywood’s faded glamour, resurrected from the ashes of disaster. Thomas hasn't just restored a house; she's breathed new life into a legend.