See the Amazing Reboot of a Dark, Dated California Home

LA designer Rob Diaz combines modern charm with timeless elements in this gut-renovated Sherman Oaks home.

May 25, 2021

By: Meredith Rosenberg

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Photo By: Todd Goodman/LA Light Photo

Serenity-Focused Transformation

When undertaking a total gut renovation of this Sherman Oaks home in Los Angeles, designer Rob Diaz of Rob Diaz Design knew that he wanted to transform the small, dark, closed-off rooms in this double A-frame into a peaceful retreat reflecting both European and California sensibilities. This involved incorporating Scandinavian aspects (clean lines, natural textures, neutral tones) as well as statement light fixtures and unexpected materials. Above all, Rob wanted the home to feel sophisticated, upscale and contemporary yet timeless.

Challenge Accepted

Rob's biggest challenge with this project involved choosing the ideal exterior materials. He decided on stone, smooth plaster walls and a custom pine gate, though the stone and plaster application wound up being the most costly and time consuming part of the renovation. The end result made it all worth it for Rob. "I wanted to strike a delicate balance between old and new to create a charming and timeless look," he says. "The exterior is the first thing you notice when you see a home, and this exterior instantly tells you that this home is truly special," he adds.

Unexpected Welcome

Rob especially loves the steel-and-glass front door since it's both modern and unexpected. "From here, you can see the stunning front yard landscaping and the white stone cladding used on the home’s exterior," he points out.

Stylish Yet Functional

Rob continued the white stone cladding inside to avoid a cookie-cutter look. "The entryway immediately tells you that this home is warm, inviting and timeless," he says. He also notes how the contemporary built-ins are meant to be stylish yet functional. "My goal for this project was to design a home with functionality and substance in mind," Rob adds.

Touch of Whimsy

This view of the built-in shows how it's ideal for coats, shoes and keys. The angle also highlights one of two lucite chain sconces from Trueing (find similar ones here), which Rob chose for their fun and whimsical appeal.

Healthy Home

"Another one of our goals for this project was to create a healthy, non-toxic home," Rob shares. To achieve this, the team only used non-toxic and LEED-certified products throughout, along with refined, toxin-free plaster by Clayworks.

Learn More: 12 Ways to Design Your Home for Health + Wellness

Boho Twist

The living room continues the tone set in the entryway, revealing a warm and inviting space that's also contemporary and functional. Rob's decorating goal was to incorporate European minimalism with a bohemian twist.

Unexpected Bonus

"I love the unexpected surprise of the reading nook underneath the stairs," Rob notes about the neutral living room. Rob also points out how the overall design doesn't include clutter or jarring patterns that would detract from the home's natural beauty.

Nook Goals

"It’s the perfect place to curl up with a good book and your morning coffee," Rob says about this nook. Not only that, it adds instant character and charm while also smartly maximizing space.

Learn More: 5 Creative Ways to Use the Spare Space Under Your Staircase

Drapery Magic

Rob also loves this part of the living room thanks to the expansive view of the landscaping and pool. "The soft, white drapes add a touch of luxury to the space and make the living room appear larger," Rob says of this designer tip.

Breath of Fresh Air

The open floor plan seamlessly blends the living room with the kitchen, since Rob wanted to facilitate an environment for hosting and entertaining.

Go With the Flow

The kitchen feels like an extension of the entrance and living room with warm oak cabinets and marble counters. "Selecting the right materials is crucial for the overall design aesthetic," he advises.

Timeless Modernity

The open floor plan continues into the dining room, as does the indoor-outdoor design. To maintain a modern feel, Rob chose an Apparatus Studio light fixture and fluted walls.

Change It Up

To create the fluted wall effect, Rob and his team used a fluted Demi Rustic clay from Clayworks as a way to add depth and texture to the smooth wall.

Balanced Effect

Rob played with shapes and proportions in the half bathroom by incorporating natural materials and textures in a darker color palette. He likes how the effect balances the airiness present in the rest of the home. "The materials I selected for the home also play into the aesthetic and set the tone for the design," he says.

Sage Advice

The fluted wall reappears in the main bedroom as a way to add depth, character and serenity, Rob notes. "Clean lines, natural textures, tonal palettes, classic lighting and luxurious materials create a sense of modern charm while still remaining timeless," he says.

Consistency Is Key

Surprise — the fluted wall pops up again around the bedroom's fireplace. "I intentionally created a tonal palette that incorporates serenity and style into the room," Rob explains.

Sleep Inducing

Rob adds how the neutral color palette creates a calm and airy feeling, while these tonal drapes make the space feel larger and taller. They also allow in lots of natural light to warm up the room. "When designing bedrooms, I strive to create a calming atmosphere that does not have overcomplicated textures and patterns," he explains; this way it facilitates the proper environment for recharging and sleeping.

Visual Impact

The en-suite bathroom is a whopping 310 square feet, and channels the look of a high-end spa. This includes a 17-foot-long Arabascato marble floating counter chosen for its visual impact. "There are no doors to the bathroom and the stunning marble countertop is the first thing you see in the hallway leading to the bathroom," Rob says. He adds that the sinks are actually integrated within the stone, and made from the same countertop marble. For privacy, Rob chose natural woven motorized shades that drop behind the marble slab. Speaking of privacy, the view also overlooks a private deck.

Methodical Design

"When designing the primary bathroom, I knew I wanted to place an Apparatus Studio arrow pendant over the tub, and I found that placing the tub in the middle of the space further highlighted the light fixture," Rob explains. He had an additional reason for centering the bathtub where he did. "I love the idea of a calm, relaxing bath in the middle of an open and airy room. It gives the entire space a tranquil spa-like quality."

Look Familiar?

Fun fact: the shower frame and floating soap shelf are leftover Arabascato marble from the vanity. Also, note how the shower doors are reminiscent of the front doors.

Good Matchy Matchy

The primary bedroom also features this impressive custom walk-in closet that intentionally matches the bedroom’s palette and materials.

Extra Space

This courtyard garden connects the home's two A-frame structures, with the other half housing the guest bedrooms. The home's spaciousness comes from the fact that Rob added 1,000 square feet of additional living space.

Proper Alignment

Rob says designing the smaller guest bedroom proved challenging due to its size. He wanted to make the space functional while making it cohere with the rest of the home. To solve the problem, Rob and his team used an Allied Maker task sconce to help align the room, while opting for a smaller bed and desk.

Well Chosen

To pull off this Scandinavian minimalist look in the guest bathroom, Rob chose a simple round mirror and minimalist sink; the calming effect reflects the bedroom's vibe.

Creative Space

Rob says the larger guest bedroom allowed for extra creativity, including this colorful rug. Victoria Morris Pottery pendant lamps (find similar ones here) frame the bed, while the room takes full advantage of all the natural light pouring in from the oversized windows.

Industrial Minimalism

Another minimalist sink repeats in this guest bathroom. But here Rob opted for a blue-green color palette. "[It] pairs nicely with the wood-colored elements in the bathroom for an industrial meets minimalist aesthetic," he says.

Masculine Take

The third guest bathroom is a bit different thanks to an understated, more masculine design. "We wanted to keep the guest bathrooms simple, so as not to overpower the aesthetic of the striking primary bathroom," he says.

Go With Gravel

"I love gravel driveways, and from the start I knew I wanted to incorporate this into the project. I feel like they take you somewhere outside the city," Rob says.

An Indoor-Outdoor Transformation

Taking advantage of the Southern California weather, Rob wanted the windows and doors in the living room, kitchen and dining room to open up to the backyard. "The backyard was previously unusable and unsuitable for entertaining," Rob shares. "Now, the backyard serves as the ultimate spot to relax and unwind with friends and family."

Pushing the Boundaries

Here, the team used large Chalford field tiles around the pool, and also added two large Manzanilla olive trees. "Though it was one of the most challenging parts of the project, selecting materials for the home really allowed me to be creative and push the boundaries of design and innovation," Rob says.