Curves In Focus: The Revamp Of A Mid-Century Modern House in LA

With a bold and curvy proposal, Studio Shamshiri revamped the design of the mid-century modern house by architect A. Quincy Jones. The result? A cozy and stylish place!

At first, updating an important modernist house to align it with the rhythms of 21st-century living seemed too challenging. But after ten years living in the house, initially designed by the architect A. Quincy Jones, the gallerist Shulamit Nazarian enlisted the help of Studio Shamshiri to recreate a beautiful and cozy space.

The Los Angeles-based gallerist Shulamit Nazarian met designer Pamela Shamshiri through a mutual friend and designer Michael Reynolds. From then on it was “the perfect match”. Both are independent, strong women born in Iran and raising their children alone. In addition, both have lived in houses of striking architecture designed by the leading names in Californian modernism. 

Studio Sharmshiri, which is part of the AD100 2023 list, collaborated to build a cozy environment, but without losing the Mid-Century aesthetic proposed by the house’s original architect, A. Quincy Jones. Get ready: this Mid-Century Modern house is one to fall in love with!

A Mid-Century Haven

The five-bedroom, 7,500-square-foot house was purchased by Nazarian years ago and had been asking for a renovation since the artist’s children – now young adults – left the place. With the help of designer Pamela Shamshiri, the owner wanted to maintain the essence of A. Quincy Jones’ original architecture when making changes to the Mid-Century Modern house, emphasizing the connection between interior and exterior.

Nazarian’s spectacular two-level living room has a high 25-foot ceiling and large glass panels connecting the house to the garden. The house has a textured cedar wall that begins near the entrance and continues into the living room, separating it from the master suite.

In addition to serving as an office today, the Mid-Century Modern house also serves as a place to relax. Next to the office, a spa with clay sauna, whirlpool tub, and a black stone concrete bench was installed, which harkens back to the original architecture. (These coatings also influenced the choice of stone used in the kitchen).

Curves And Modernist Rigor

The house’s interiors feature many curved forms and sinuous lines, which the decorator described as a soft and feminine counterpoint to the rigidity of the original modernist architecture. As we mentioned before, curved lines and well-defined silhouettes are one of the furniture trends for 2023.

Thus, all the spaces of this Mid-Century Modern house have been designed down to the finest details. At the entrance, a beautiful console welcomes the visitor with a table lamp and a totem sculpture. The living room includes a circular sofa, armchairs in fabric, and a chaise longue. To complete the decoration of the first-floor space, a round cocktail table and side tables on a green carpet add a touch of luxury.

The walls throughout the house were also painted a matte pearl white to create a neutral backdrop to showcase the art, then switched out Jones’ fluorescent bulbs for incandescent lighting, “to better illuminate the architecture and art.”

The imposing wide table stands out in the dining room, with a stunning suspension lamp with a buffet, and a custom-made mosaic mural. The curves are also appreciated in the kitchen, wholly reworked in American black walnut with light stone counters.

In the library, the piece that draws major attention is the sofa. In a style very reminiscent of Memphis, the piece composes the space with a coffee table with a glass top, a rug also in textures, and a wall lined with fabric.

Get inspired in this Mid-Century Modern house!

The mid-century modern style is everywhere! The furniture in this decorating style reveals clean, streamlined lines, a harmonious combination of natural and manufactured materials, and a retro-futuristic look. 

To help you create your own space with pieces inspired by this Mid-Century Modern house, we have selected some iconic pieces from the HOMMÉS STUDIO collection to be featured in your home decor. Check them out:

Now that you’ve taken a tour of this fall-in-love mid-century modern house and understand what the style is all about, it’s time to let your imagination flow! Think of several creative ways to combine and display the style around the house and enjoy!

Also check out our exclusive content with  5 Mid-Century Modern Interior Design Projects To Inspire You on your next interior design project.