Inside Rob Diaz’s Luxurious + Light-Filled A-Frame in Studio City

Rob Diaz's Californian take on a Scandinavian A-frame is what design dreams are made of. Overflowing with luxury, this small lot in Studio City is now packed with big style.

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By: Kamron Sanders

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Photo By: Todd Goodman

A Unique Take on a Scandinavian A-Frame Home in Studio City

When a small, older home in Studio City (Los Angeles) faced the wrecking ball, designer and developer Rob Diaz of Diaz + Alexander Studio made full use of its enviable lot, drafting and designing what he calls "a warm, wooden take on a modern Scandinavian A-frame home." Situated on a small lot, the home has a unique design that helps make the most of the space. "The box mass on the first floor gives way to a left-of-center, two-height mass going through the box. It is definitely a unique take on a single A-frame home," explains Rob. "This particular home is a more modern take with a large center mass and hollowed courtyards in the middle. It was a small lot and we gave the space courtyards and large upper decks, which created the illusion of a larger outdoor space."

Rob cites the surrounding sycamores as one of the main inspirations behind the home's design. "The home is located in the silver triangle section of Studio City on a protected-sycamore-tree-lined street called Cantura," he explains. "It's surrounded by the sycamore trees and the backdrop is the Hollywood Hills. The upper deck faces the hillside and faces west. The sycamores canopy over the entire street and it is breathtaking."

Natural Materials Make This Landscape Stunning

The home's front gate and fence are made of corten steel, lending a beautiful patina that sets the tone for the property upon arrival. Inside, limestone batons are placed on concrete with gaps for ground cover. "Landscape is very important to me and natural materials are used. The plants on the front-facing roof line are set within corten hidden planters. They are movement plants (Mexican grass plants). They were set there to give movement to the shapes and soften the angles," offers Rob.

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Vintage Materials Balance the New Construction Elements

Rob's implementation of natural materials continues in the backyard pool area with a teak deck, limestone water fountains and vintage terra-cotta pots holding olive trees. "The feel of this is to have greenery that doesn't need much maintenance, and the vibes are old and new. Even old copper outdoor showers were installed. It was the play of natural new and old," he explains.

The Landscape Glows All Evening

Rob prioritized thoughtful lighting to enhance the Alaskan cedar exterior. "Lighting is my muse," he says. "It must be done right. The exterior has over 40 well lights, pathway lights and uplights for large trees. The exterior lighting on the home is old shipyard brass downlights that let off a perfect lumen to the ground and wall. The landscape literally glows in the evening."

Learn More: 38 Stylish Outdoor Lighting Ideas

Luxurious Materials and Furnishings Line the Interior

Inside, a neutral "Scandifornian" interior filled with luxe details awaits. An unfilled travertine fireplace plays centerstage, flanked between two alcoves fitted with benches and wooden shelves and topped with Italian-made brass library lights. The semi-flush Lawson Fenning fixture adds an ornamental touch without blocking the view of the Hilma af Klint piece.

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A Carved Out Nook Makes Full Use of The Void Beneath the Stairs

The first thing you see when you enter through the front door is a mud area fitted within a nook. "The space was the void from the staircase on the other side," explains Rob. "Why not use the space and create a nook vibe?" He lined the nook with white oak, situated a small closet on the left side and finished it with a minimalist Trueing NYC sconce.

Natural Tones and Textures Make a Stylish Statement

The A-frame's interior is absent of bold colors and patterns, relying instead on the depth and texture of luxurious natural materials like wood and stone to make a visual impact.

Layered Earthy Tones Give This Kitchen a Distinct Design

Rob continues his liberal-yet-judicious use of wood in the kitchen, creating tone-on-tone drama with plain-sliced white oak cabinetry atop 9-inch wide-plank oak floors. Apparatus Studio spotlights were intentionally chosen to stay tucked out of the sight line.

This Luxurious Kitchen Has an Organic Quality

The kitchen has an organic, luxurious feel. "The vibe was restraint and quality of materials," notes Rob. From the aged-brass Waterworks fixtures to the natural travertine countertops and backsplash, the space feels old and new at the same time, a design theme that continues throughout the home.

Minimalist Designs Allow the Materials to Shine

The kitchen's lengthy island is topped with unfilled travertine, which waterfalls off of each side to sit flush against the oak floors. The numerous flat, minimalist surfaces — each void of fancy trim or ornate edge beveling — allow the textures in the materials to shine.

Learn More: 13 Top Kitchen Design Styles

An Alfresco Dining Room is Adjacent to This Kitchen

Drawn curtains reveal an alfresco dining room situated next to the kitchen in one of the home's two courtyards.

Wireless Lighting Illuminates Outdoor Dining Area

"The dining room is outside and covered in thick cedar beams," notes Rob. "The lighting is actually moveable and runs off USB charging ports; 10 hours per charge. Small homes must be done creatively."

Glass Doors Connect the Courtyards to the Indoors

On the other side of the alfresco dining room is a bedroom that's currently used as a home office. The positioning of the two glass-encased courtyards gives each of the first-floor rooms the feeling of being connected but separated. When the curtains are drawn and the doors are left open, the first floor feels like one open space.

A White-Oak-Lined Office Fills This Flexible Bedroom

In the bedroom-turned-office, floor-to-ceiling white oak cabinetry provides ample storage. These built-ins serve as the space's closets and feature hanging rods and dressers within. The alcove housing the desk can fit a queen-sized bed if the space turns back into a bedroom.

Find More Ideas: 30 Home Office Design Ideas We Love

A Second Courtyard Boasts a Fire Pit and Water Feature

The second courtyard is a fire pit area connecting the second bedroom with the living room. "There is a large 14-foot limestone water fountain in the tree line off the dining area. 'Fire and water' was the courtyard concept," explains Rob.

The Second-Floor Bedrooms Have Private Decks

While the upstairs bedrooms can't access the courtyards, they benefit from sun-soaked decks facing the Hollywood Hills.

The Powder Room Is Dripping in Style

As if every vignette in the Studio City A-frame weren't stunning, the powder bathroom is particularly showstopping. "The wooden powder room is of plain sliced oak and runs the entire room. A wall hides the toilet from the floor-to-ceiling corner glass where wooden orb sconces cascade in front of woven wooden shades," describes Rob.

Designer Balances Old and New in Stunning Powder Room

"Waterworks brass fixtures add refinement to the vintage limestone sink purchased on 1stDibs," informs Rob. The visual juxtaposition of the shiny brass and rough limestone is worthy of a second look.

Limestone Lines the Walls of This Earthy Bathroom

More limestone is found in the first-floor bathroom in the form of 4-inch tiles alongside a Calacatta-marble-topped vanity.

The Tile Ledge Is Fun and Functional

Rob built out the tile wall to form a ledge between the vanity and the mirror. A second ledge is positioned on the other side of the shower glass, giving the illusion that the ledge continues for the full length of the wall. "The ledge inside was thought of one day in the field just for fun," notes Rob. "It is unexpected and that is all. A small section of one inch was left open for glass."

A Skylight Fills The Shower With Natural Light

A skylight fitted into the upper-floor railing drenches the shower walls with light, calling out the organic texture of the natural limestone tiles and highlighting the variances between each tile.

Find More Ideas: 75 Walk-In Shower Designs for a Luxurious, Spa-Like Bathroom

A Wood Ceiling and Wall Warm Up The Main Bedroom

An oak ceiling and wall is the defining element of the main bedroom. "The wood ceiling is only in the hallway to the bedroom and sleeping room," explains Rob. "I did not want it to clash with the material in the bathroom or closet. Knowing when to start and stop is basic design sense for me."

Contrasting Clay Plaster Adds Luxe Depth to the Bedroom Walls

The remainder of the walls in the bedroom are coated in Clayworks clay plaster, which contrasts beautifully with the wood panel and adds depth and texture to the otherwise plain walls.

The Walk-In Closet Is Filled With Stylish Storage

The covetable walk-in closet is outfitted with oak built-ins featuring numerous drawers and hanging closets, as well as open shelving for decorative or functional storage.

Find More Ideas: 25 Ways to Maximize Storage in Your Walk-In Closet

Large Sliding Glass Door Connects the Bedroom and Deck

The main bedroom's private deck is accessible through a sliding glass door, allowing the spaces to stay open to one another in true California indoor-outdoor living fashion.

Sloped Tile Sheds Water From the Deck's Floor

Instead of more wood on the deck floor, Rob switched up the material, opting instead for 4-inch dark Anville tile from Eco Outdoor Beverly Hills. The tiles are installed with ridges and valleys to shed water off the deck.

The Main Bedroom Is Dressed to the Nines

A second door on the main bedroom deck leads into a sprawling spa-like bathroom laced in premium materials like Clayworks plaster walls, oak cabinetry and floors, a Calacatta marble counter and backsplash and orb sconces made from alabaster. The double vanity is creatively split with space for a leather armchair.

Marble Elements Add Elegance and Refinement

"The marble vanity and shower jamb give way to a bit of elegance to the space," says Rob. "The mirror and lighting flushed into the wall add a bit of modern vibes." Throughout the space, aged brass switches and outlets from Forbes and Lomax balance the modern elements.

A Freestanding Soaking Tub Is a Prime Spot to Relax

A freestanding soaking tub just inside the sliding door means you can relax and unwind in privacy while enjoying the California breeze.

Limestone Cobbles Make This Dual Shower Natural Yet Elegant

The wow-worthy walk-in shower is lined with limestone cobbles that create a cozy showering experience. "The tile is very tumbled and textured. It is warm and feels good on the feet," explains Rob.

Find More Ideas: 99 Stylish Bathroom Design Ideas You'll Love