My Houzz: Happy Layered Patterns in a Spanish Revival
Art and antiques complement the original architectural details in this family’s 1927 Southern California home
Lirona Kadosh and Ethan Goldstine are native Angelenos who have a deep appreciation for their city’s history, heritage and art. That appreciation is reflected in the couple’s choice of home and in their style. Strangely enough, had it not been for a 19-year-old heiress, the couple might never have called this Spanish Revival house their home.
The couple’s search for a family home in Santa Monica hit a snag early on when their winning bid on one house fizzled because the seller opted to sell instead — at far under their offer — to a family friend, the 19-year-old heiress. A few months later, Goldstine says, the couple’s broker called to say that a client was selling “a gorgeous old Spanish house in Santa Monica’s Gillette Regent Square and did we want to buy it before it went on the market?”
“Yes, we did,” Goldstine says. The family has called the 1927 charmer its home since 2015.
The couple’s search for a family home in Santa Monica hit a snag early on when their winning bid on one house fizzled because the seller opted to sell instead — at far under their offer — to a family friend, the 19-year-old heiress. A few months later, Goldstine says, the couple’s broker called to say that a client was selling “a gorgeous old Spanish house in Santa Monica’s Gillette Regent Square and did we want to buy it before it went on the market?”
“Yes, we did,” Goldstine says. The family has called the 1927 charmer its home since 2015.
The home includes several original architectural details, including coffered ceilings, coved archways and transoms. In the mornings, the sun creates rainbows on the walls through the leaded glass windows on the stairs and in the bedrooms on the second level.
The couple worked with Los Angeles interior designers Annette Tatum and Elle Gound to decorate the main living spaces and bedrooms while maintaining functionality for their young children and 21st-century lifestyles. The couple “wanted furnishings that complemented the Spanish Revival architecture while providing warm, practical places for our family to live and entertain,” Goldstine says.
The wood console in the living room is one of Kadosh’s favorite pieces. Thanks to its tremendous amount of storage, it mixes functionality with style.
The black-and-white painting is by Venice, California, artist Jean Edelstein.
Console: Dovetail Furniture
The wood console in the living room is one of Kadosh’s favorite pieces. Thanks to its tremendous amount of storage, it mixes functionality with style.
The black-and-white painting is by Venice, California, artist Jean Edelstein.
Console: Dovetail Furniture
Natural light floods the living room via French doors that open to a courtyard.
Coffee table books such as Modernism Rediscovered by iconic Southern California architectural photographer Julius Shulman and On Vegetables by Los Angeles chef Jeremy Fox provide a peek into Kadosh and Goldstine’s Los Angeles.
The formal living room is a hub for conversations while entertaining and the mantel is used as a place to display the work of creative friends. The print above the fireplace is by friend and artist Cynthia Jawitz Brower.
Black-and-white floral bowl: Freehand
Black-and-white floral bowl: Freehand
A wood-framed archway leads to another gathering spot. “Annette and Elle transformed an office off the living room into a lovely library and sitting room that’s one of our favorite places in the house,” Goldstine says.
Sparrow glider and ottoman: Gus; hexagonal candle holders: Cost Plus World Market
Sparrow glider and ottoman: Gus; hexagonal candle holders: Cost Plus World Market
“We’re not the type of people who smoke La Corona cigars while sipping cognac and discussing the fate of the world. But if we ever decide to be those people, the room will be ready for us,” Goldstine says.
Sofa: vintage; textured ceramic storage canister: Cost Plus World Market; drapes: John Robshaw; wall paint: Newburyport Blue, Benjamin Moore
Sofa: vintage; textured ceramic storage canister: Cost Plus World Market; drapes: John Robshaw; wall paint: Newburyport Blue, Benjamin Moore
A collection of books, vintage cameras, typewriters and radios gives the library an eclectic feel.
Along with the beauty of original details such as gold leaf crown moldings and leaded glass windows, a 90-year-old home also has its quirks. “Of course, living in an older house means contending with sticky wooden drawers, a kitchen with an oven not quite big enough for a large turkey and crystal door handles that periodically wiggle onto the floor,” Goldstine says with a laugh.
Vase: Freehand; mirror: vintage
Vase: Freehand; mirror: vintage
The armoire in the dining room is antique. “There’s little doubt the cabinet has traveled far and has stories to tell,” Goldstine says. “We only wish that it could talk!”
Chairs: Wayfair
Chairs: Wayfair
The homeowners frequently use the traditionally formal spaces in their home. With a large family that lives close by, any meal can be an excuse to use the large dining room.
Auburn chandelier: Arteriors; candlesticks: Cost Plus World Market
Auburn chandelier: Arteriors; candlesticks: Cost Plus World Market
On a trip to Long Beach to visit thrift stores, the couple scored several decorative vases and jars, as well as two fantastic pieces of art for their powder room.
The collection of vases on this kitchen built-in is punctuated by the brown vase at the top left. The piece originally belonged in the beach house of one of Goldstine’s longtime friends. When the home sold, the friend distributed its keepsakes among friends who were frequent guests at the house.
The collection of vases on this kitchen built-in is punctuated by the brown vase at the top left. The piece originally belonged in the beach house of one of Goldstine’s longtime friends. When the home sold, the friend distributed its keepsakes among friends who were frequent guests at the house.
Ceramic jars and a cheese board share space on the built-in.
Ceramic jars: Cost Plus World Market; marble cheese board: Williams-Sonoma
Ceramic jars: Cost Plus World Market; marble cheese board: Williams-Sonoma
A coved archway leads from the dining room into the kitchen breakfast nook.
Saarinen round dining table: Design Within Reach; Tucker chairs: Serena & Lily
Saarinen round dining table: Design Within Reach; Tucker chairs: Serena & Lily
A dose of the same blues found downstairs continues upstairs in the master bedroom and on the custom bed.
White pillow shams: Pine Cone Hill; blue rectangular pillow shams: Fez, Dwell Studio
White pillow shams: Pine Cone Hill; blue rectangular pillow shams: Fez, Dwell Studio
The bedrooms also reflect the home’s gracious past. “Each bedroom upstairs has a dressing area so large it would be called a studio apartment in Manhattan,” Goldstine says.
Wallpaper: Katara Paisley, Schumacher
Wallpaper: Katara Paisley, Schumacher
Wallpaper: Fern Tree in Graphite, Schumacher; Apple tobacco candle: Winford
Bright pops of color make daughter Lirit’s bedroom a cheerful and fun place to play.
For Lirit, “we wanted a bed with a lot of space underneath that could fit a trundle,” Kadosh says.
Pogo bed: Room & Board; tree print: Elle Gound; Petit confetti fabric wall decals: Rosenberry Rooms; browse more kid wall decor
For Lirit, “we wanted a bed with a lot of space underneath that could fit a trundle,” Kadosh says.
Pogo bed: Room & Board; tree print: Elle Gound; Petit confetti fabric wall decals: Rosenberry Rooms; browse more kid wall decor
Wildlife motif accessories accent a plush daybed area that’s perfect for son Ilan’s story time.
The framed print, Zebras, is one of three works by Victor Vasarely that the couple purchased on a trip to Aix-en-Provence, France, just five months before Ilan was born.
Brown Moroccan leather pouf: Ikram Design; striped rug: Serena & Lily
The framed print, Zebras, is one of three works by Victor Vasarely that the couple purchased on a trip to Aix-en-Provence, France, just five months before Ilan was born.
Brown Moroccan leather pouf: Ikram Design; striped rug: Serena & Lily
A wall of colorful books sits opposite the daybed. For Ilan, story time happens in a number of languages — he has The Very Hungry Caterpillar, for example, in English, Spanish and Hebrew.
Piano white wall shelves: CB2
Piano white wall shelves: CB2
A colorful biplane mobile hangs from the ceiling above a rocking chair in Ilan’s room.
Airplane mobile: RH Baby & Child
See more of this home
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Airplane mobile: RH Baby & Child
See more of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Who lives here: Lirona Kadosh and Ethan Goldstine and their daughter Lirit and son Ilan
Location: Gillette Regent Square area of Santa Monica, California
Size: 4,140 square feet (385 square meters); four bedrooms, 4½ baths
Year built: 1927
Anthony slipcovered sofa: Brownstone Upholstery; Anthony chair with base: Brownstone Upholstery; coffee table: Noir Furniture; rug: antique; leather chair: custom