Sophisticated Yet Relaxed, This Kerry Vasquez-designed Apartment Exudes Glamour With a Modern Twist
Located in a West Hollywood building, the Spanish bungalow-esque dwelling welcomes visitors through an open courtyard teeming with lush vegetation including Bird of Paradise plants. The PR pro worked with interior designer Kerry Vasquez to transform the one-bedroom apartment to align perfectly with his aesthetic.
After receiving inspirational images from Bryan Smith, and being convinced of his precise eye, Vasquez knew she wanted to take on the project: “When I saw its gorgeous vaulted ceiling and large stained-glass windows, I was 100 percent on board,” she says.
A heavy, carved wood front door invites visitors into the bright living room furnished with a marble-top coffee table and mohair Hayvenhurst sofa by Los Angeles-based company SABIN.
“When I first visited the home, the entire apartment was painted a rather dreary beige,” Kerry Vasquez remembers.
“I immediately knew the cheapest and easiest way to showcase the architectural elements would be to paint everything my favorite white—Chantilly Lace from Benjamin Moore.”
Amid neutrals, the designer added mossy greens and pale pinks, creating a subtly masculine look “that felt slightly fashion-forward and elevated.”
The objective, Kerry Vasquez notes, was to create “a sophisticated yet relaxed oasis that read one part Los Angeles, one part Paris. We achieved this by filling the home with furnishings crafted by local L.A. designers and curated objets d’art, and choosing luxe and tactile materials throughout.”
Bronze-finished light fixtures from Aerin, and both the natural steel entry console and coffee table from Croft House, bring depth and character to the space.
“I find that these finishes create a beautiful patina over time,” says Vasquez.
Several vintage pieces and the armchairs by renowned designer Pierre Jeanneret—placed at the heads of the dining table—lend the apartment a European flavor.
Meanwhile, she adds, “The natural materials were intended to convey the location—laid-back and environmentally-conscious present-day California. The tactile materials were intended to convey the vibe—glamorous old Hollywood with a touch of Parisian elegance.”
Brendan Ravenhill lighting and a unit from Sunbeam Vintage that perfectly fits on the wall between the living room and dining room are just a portion of the home’s curated collection.
“The client was extremely receptive to my ideas, and getting to utilize local designers and vintage stores felt rewarding,” says Kerry Vasquez, who makes a point of supporting local sources whenever, noting this seems even more important now.
Artwork also adorns the spaces for a more refined and personalized touch, such as sketches by Alberto Puras from Galerie Michael Bargo in the bedroom, and a photograph by Smith’s friend Luke Gilford in the dining room.
In sum, Vasquez says, “The space felt very Old World to me, and I wanted to capture the glamour and sophistication through a modern and updated lens.”
Kerry Vasquez | kerryvasquez.com
Photographs: courtesy of Jessica Alexander