A Sprawling Villa in L.A.’s Silver Lake Neighborhood Asks $6M

Currently owned by Hollywood actors Mark Duplass and Katie Aselton, the Barbara Bestor–designed home blends glass, redwood, and concrete across 7,300 square feet.

Text by

Kathryn M.

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Another cherished residence is up for grabs in Los Angeles. Nestled in the star-studded area of Silver Lake, the three-story dwelling was designed by acclaimed architect Barbara Bestor in 2005. It was recently revamped to further accommodate intimate indoor/outdoor living.

Sited on an expansive 14,219-square-foot lot, the multi-level home offers ample space and privacy, thanks in large part to the thick vegetation surrounding its perimeter.

Among the many features of the home, one of the most notable is its size. "In general, it’s larger in scale than many of the houses in the area because the [original] owners had combined two lots for the project," notes Bestor, who was brought on board after the home’s foundation was poured. "The owners asked me to reimagine what the house might be like reusing the foundations with the square footage that had been permitted. Essentially, I was asked to reconceive it as a modernist villa for Silver Lake."

An intricately detailed door designed by Frank Lloyd Wright extends a warm welcome.

The final result is this sprawling L-shaped home that stretches across 7,256 square feet, and features sweeping views and a free-flowing, open-air layout. "I thought of it as two parts of an L with the street-facing side being a spacious, indoor/outdoor living room that took advantage of the views on each side. There are also a couple of workspaces off of a very vertical library," explains Bestor.

As part of the recent revamp, the owners took down the wall in the kitchen to create a seamless connection to the family room. Sliding glass doors open to the backyard.

"We updated the dark ebony cabinets with walnut to match the floors," explains the current owners. "We also removed the pullout pantry doors to make room for a wall of sub-zero refrigeration, including wine storage and beverage drawers."

In addition to designing the property to offer extensive indoor/outdoor connection, Bestor also crafted it to showcase a striking material palette, blending concrete, glass, and wood. "The living room is lined in wood and has a huge pocket window that creates a window seat. When open, it makes the entire living room feel like a grand front porch," she explains. She sought inspiration from [John] Lautner’s houses and also Adirondack lodges, she explains.

An airy dining area is located steps away from the kitchen.

In total, the home features five bedrooms and six baths. The primary suite is located on the upper level and includes a spa-like bath, walk-in closet, and access to the rooftop cabana. Additionally, there is a private guest wing, which comes with an en suite bath, office, and gym.

Wood-clad walls with tongue-and-groove detailing continue throughout the living spaces.

The home’s current owners are Hollywood actors Mark Duplass and Katie Aselton, who bought the property in 2014 for a reported $4,450,000. "We were amazed to find a family home offering that amount of square footage, on top of a sizable backyard and a pool, in our favorite neighborhood in L.A.," state the couple. "Plus, we are also huge fans of Barbara Bestor, so it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up!"

In another gathering area, a broad concrete fireplace contrasts the warmth of the wooden ceiling, floor, and walls. An oversized picture window floods the space with natural light.

Throughout their years of ownership, the couple have continuously made updates to the property, which include reorganized outdoor areas, and a revamped kitchen and primary suite. "We've completed a lot of work in a relatively short amount of time," they explain. "Outside, we doubled the size of the yard and expanded the livable area outside with a huge deck that looks out onto the city lights. We also added a citrus grove and a beautiful, enclosed garden along the side of the house, in addition to a freestanding infrared sauna."

A bright, spacious home office is located away from the main living areas, offering a quiet corner to accommodate various work-from-home needs.

Inside, the couple updated the cabinetry in the kitchen and reworked the central island, replacing the countertops with terrazzo. They also redesigned the layout of the primary suite, overhauling the connected bath in the process. "Our goal for the house was to lean into the warmth, and I think we did that with all of our updates—from the big renovations to the smaller things like changing lighting fixtures and adding custom wallpaper throughout. It’s truly a beautiful home that we loved living in and we will miss it, but we are so happy to pass it on." Keep scrolling to see inside more of the home, currently listed for $5,995,000.