The study is where homeowner Kevin Yorn can kick back and listen to records. On the wall is a 1969 portrait of Neil Young by Henry Diltz.
Los Angeles is the place New Jersey–born and –raised lawyer Kevin Yorn calls home. Among his A-list clients are Ellen DeGeneres, Scarlett Johansson and Matthew McConaughey, and his musically inclined brothers are singer Pete Yorn and producer Rick Yorn. So it’s fitting that his house’s decor would mix a 1920s Hollywood vibe with a Lower Manhattan edge.
To get that look, Yorn started by asking his friend and designer Vanessa Alexander, founder of Alexander Design, to transform the 5,500-square-foot Mediterranean-style house in Brentwood, where he lives with his teenage daughter, into the perfect space for hosting his large extended family and friends.
“The main goal was to create an open floor plan incorporating outdoor space,” Alexander says. “Kevin also wanted to bring the design of his two favorite hotels — the Greenwich Hotel in New York and Chateau Marmont in Hollywood — to life.” The combination of custom furniture, artful photographs, vinyl records, vintage guitars and artifacts from Yorn’s travels shaped a tastefully masculine atmosphere throughout.
“This house makes entertaining both indoors and outdoors a seamless experience,” the designer adds. Here, she takes us room by room.
Entry
“I love the open, dramatic entryway and accentuated beams on the high ceilings,” says Vanessa Alexander. “It gives you a sense of the home: eclectic and masculine with a big emphasis on vintage items throughout.” In this space, an oversized capiz-shell lamp hangs from the high ceiling. An antique Oushak carpet is combined with a vintage parchment table. Behind the staircase, a blue painting by Jennifer Boysen brings a pop of color.
Living Room
Bright and airy, the living room was furnished with two mid-century armchairs by Marco Zanuso, a vintage daybed by Gianni Songia for Sormani and a custom-made white sofa by Alexander Design. The Beni Ourain rug adds a bohemian touch to the space. The Branching Bubble sconce is by Lindsey Adelman, the bar cart by Blackman Cruz, the reclaimed hardwood floor from Exquisite Surfaces and the artwork above the fireplace by Matthew Brandt.
“As with many of my projects, I aim for seamless indoor-outdoor living,” Alexander says. “The metal and glass windowed doors are perfect for letting light in and also opening up all the way into the outdoor living space and pool area.”
Dining Room
According to the interior designer, “the dining room brings the New York glam via the Greenwich Hotel inspiration while maintaining the overall masculine vibe.” Some pieces — including the mirror and the bench — were custom-made by Alexander Design. Around the Oaxacan clay table by Sami Hayek are chairs by Maxalto. The Cloud chandelier is by Apparatus.
Kitchen
“We wanted the kitchen to be really open and great for entertaining so we included ample seating,” says Alexander. “I love the custom open shelving incorporating both metal and wood.”
The designer also created the stainless steel island and walnut countertops. The barstools by Emmerson Troop are in leather and bronze and the vintage lighting fixtures are from Obsolete.
Family Room
Furnished with a Coup D’Etat concrete coffee table, a stool by Blackman Cruz, a steel armoire from Galerie Half, lighting by Workstead and a custom-designed sofa by Alexander Design, “this living area is casual and livable while still incorporating refined materials and finishes — perfect for the family to gather and relax.”
Master Bedroom
“I particularly love the custom headboard with Rogers & Goffigon fabric we did for the master bedroom,” Alexander says. “It brings scale to that end of the room and the art is balanced by the industrial sconces.”
Flanking the Richard Misrach photographs are sconces by Atelier de Troupe. The linens from Deborah Sharpe and the pillows by Lucca and Pat MacGann create a cozy atmosphere. The vintage rosewood nightstand is from Orange, and the bench is by Alexander Design.
Master Bath
Bathed in natural light, “the master bathroom incorporates lush views of the landscape from the soaking tub from Urban Archeology to make it super luxurious,” Alexander says. “The custom towel rack is functional while adding interest and fitting the wall perfectly.”
The side table consists of a sandblasted African Bamileke drum and is topped with Moroccan beads and Indian prayer bowls. The fixtures are from Lefroy Brooks and the ceiling lights from Obsolete.
Swimming Pool
“I am obsessed with this pool and incorporating the deep blue tile against the wood. We had to use a lot of reclaimed materials, which add character and texture,” Alexander says. For example, the tables are made from reclaimed planks from the Coney Island Boardwalk. The Belgian rattan loungers invite Yorn’s guests to lie back and relax.
