A lot of us hope for fresh starts in the new year – especially this one. In the spirit of this, we took a look back at some of our studio’s most dramatic home renovations within the Los Angeles area. While many of Tim Barber Architects’ projects are new custom homes, we also specialize in extensive renovations and restorations – transforming spaces to be rich with innovative details, functional design and enduring style. Explore this selection of our favorite “before and after” projects… sometimes almost unrecognizable!
Colonial Revival
When the homeowners of this Hollywood Hills property hired our studio, they were looking to enlarge the living space – and create a back yard where none existed before to admire the views. The finished product? An East-Coast-on-the-West-Coast Colonial Revival style residence with a rear yard fit for entertaining.
Mid-Century Modern
To expand and fully renovate this mid-century post and beam house in Laurel Canyon, we designed a split-level addition while making dynamic use of the sloping site; capturing a level inner courtyard where a wild, steep sloped had once been. And in a seldom-seen nod to the Japanese roots of this home, the roof plan resembles unfolded origami, with subtle roof planes directing rain into interior downspouts.
Spanish Colonial Revival
This historic 1930s home evolved from a dark labyrinth into a bright and spacious family residence. Utilizing traditional materials like brick, terra cotta, wrought iron, stucco and leaded glass honored the original design vocabulary, while the home’s plan is contemporary and promotes California’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
Southern Neoclassical
When our clients purchased this property – the final home of Golden Age luminary Orson Welles – the structure was deteriorating, subdivided by many small rooms and a large spiral staircase. Gaining functionality without entirely losing the connection to Welles were top of our to-do list while restoring and renovating the home. In addition to reworking portions of the floorplan, designing a three-story rear addition and new garage guest suite, we integrated authentic finishes – like vivid tile for the baths – to pay homage to Welles and bring the home back to life.
Contemporary Lodge
Reinventing a dated 1990s renovation to reflect the beauty of Santa Monica’s Rustic Canyon called for a whole-home renovation by our studio – focused on capturing views of the spectacular surrounds. Unsympathetic exterior details, including oversized columns, a stark hardscape of brick and concrete, and crowded, small windows were replaced with a warm, earthy palette and a reimagined front porch with a vaulted ceiling. Inside, dark and cluttered spaces were opened, ceilings were raised, skylights and windows were inserted, doorways were expanded and natural elements were integrated throughout.
