Robert and Cortney Novogratz, known for their reality TV shows on Bravo and HGTV, recently renovated a 1930s Spanish-style house in Los Angeles. Unlike with their other projects, which are more colorful and maximal, the couple embraced a clean, minimal aesthetic to bring this residence back to life.

Before: Exterior

After: Exterior

“We are typically more is more people,” says Robert Novogratz. “We are known for color. Modern is much harder to design, but we kept everything more minimal here—less color.”

Before: Courtyard

After: Courtyard

Built in 1931, the Spanish-style house is tucked away on one of the Bird Streets in Hollywood Hills, a famous celebrity enclave that’s just a stone’s throw from Sunset Boulevard.

Back in the day, My Fair Lady director George Cukor lived across the street and threw extravagant parties attended by stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, and Vivien Leigh. Today, the area is home to A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jay-Z and Beyoncé.

Before: Dining/Living Areas

After: Dining/Living Areas

The previous homeowners worked in television, and were great entertainers as well. With three bars, a basement theater, and plenty of outdoor entertaining space, the house was meant for parties.

When the Novogratzes purchased the villa, the exterior foundation was crumbling and the interior was dated with ’80s linoleum and a pale yellow color scheme. “It definitely needed updating,” Robert says.

Before: Kitchen

After: Kitchen

The couple wanted to keep some of the original architectural elements, but since California building codes require that unsafe materials like old asbestos tiles be disposed of, it made more sense to do a gut renovation and start from scratch.

Keeping the 1930s house true to its roots, the couple embraced the original layout, but made the spaces feel lighter and brighter by raising ceilings, adding steel-framed windows, opening doorways, and using modern design elements.

“We wanted to bring the outdoors in as much as possible.”
—Robert Novogratz, interior designer

Before: Primary Suite

After: Primary Suite

During the renovation, they nearly doubled the square footage by adding a primary suite and a guest suite, along with a pool house out back. The interiors now span 7,200 square feet, and tall ceilings and an emphasis on indoor/outdoor living enhance the sense of space.

Before: Basement

After: Basement

“We could’ve turned that courtyard into real square footage, but everything played around it,” says Robert. “It’s why we fell in love with the house.”

The couple brought their “Spanish modern” vision to life by keeping things minimal and focusing on clean, contemporary finishes. Creamy white walls were warmed up with white oak floors and accents like oak ceiling beams.

Before: Entry

After: Backyard

Furnishings were kept neutral, and they brought in color with contemporary artwork. “We always do a lot of art,” Robert says. “White walls with great art. Without the art it wouldn’t work so well.”

And to keep with the home’s history of being a great party house, the couple added amenities for entertaining, like a saltwater pool, a pool house with a bar, a basement with a bar and a theater, and a sauna.

More from the Novogratz:

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Siavesh Jazayeri, SIA Architectural Design

Builder/General Contractor: Bryce Call

Landscape Design: Victor Medrano

Interior Design: The Novogratz / @thenovogratz

Cabinetry Design: Ramon Padilla, Ideal Cabinets Inc.

Before & After: A Spanish-Style Home in the Hollywood Hills Gets a Sunny California Makeover