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Houzz Tour: Hollywood Haven for a Celeb and Family
Comedy is hard, but actor Joel McHale's spacious redesigned home in California is easy on the eyes
Just meeting a celebrity can be an intimidating experience — the idea of working with one can be downright scary. But when designer Elizabeth Gordon first met with actor and comedian Joel McHale (of The Soup and Community) and his wife, Sarah, she felt instantly at ease. "Despite his celebrity, he was about as down to earth and fun as any client I've ever worked with," Gordon says.
This remodeled home was spacious and had the perfect location, but several additions over the years had made each room feel disconnected from the others. The McHales wanted to bring some of the soft, quiet colors of their surrounding gardens into the home, so Gordon stuck with a soothing nature-inspired palette.
Houzz at a Glance:
Who lives here: Joel McHale, wife Sarah and their two sons
Location: Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles
Size: 9,800 square feet
That's interesting: Sarah McHale is a graphic artist and designer, and worked closely with Gordon to design the home.
This remodeled home was spacious and had the perfect location, but several additions over the years had made each room feel disconnected from the others. The McHales wanted to bring some of the soft, quiet colors of their surrounding gardens into the home, so Gordon stuck with a soothing nature-inspired palette.
Houzz at a Glance:
Who lives here: Joel McHale, wife Sarah and their two sons
Location: Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles
Size: 9,800 square feet
That's interesting: Sarah McHale is a graphic artist and designer, and worked closely with Gordon to design the home.
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Sarah's background in graphic design encouraged Gordon to experiment with colors and patterns. "She does not believe in white rooms, so it made it fun to pull the spaces together," Gordon says.
Ceiling: custom chinoiserie wallpaper; starburst mirror: Global Views
Ceiling: custom chinoiserie wallpaper; starburst mirror: Global Views
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| The exterior grounds around the home were renovated at the same time as the interior, and Gordon wanted the rooms to feel like an extension of the gardens outside. Each room's color palette reflects the views outside its windows. Couches: custom, upholstered in Donghia herringbone; table lamps: Surrey tray table lamps, Circa Lighting |
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| One of the only exceptions to the blue and green color palette is the family entertainment room. Warm reds, oranges and browns make this a comfortable and welcoming hangout spot for the family. Durability was key here — sturdy fabrics were chosen to hold up from the wear and tear from two little boys. An ottoman instead of a coffee table prevents banged-up knees. Couch: Gabriel Sleeper Sofa, Weego Home; wall paint: Fall Foliage, Pratt & Lambert; ottoman: custom with cork fabric; lamps, cowhide: vintage |
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| Some of the changes made in the home's original design made the spaces feel awkward. The original family room was a small, angled space that made it difficult to place furniture. Gordon designed full-height, wall-to-wall cabinetry that visually straightened out the main wall of the room. One of the bookshelves swings forward, revealing extra storage space in the leftover space behind the shelf. Console: Monaco credenza, Weego Home |
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| The textural green chairs and branchlike chandelier in the dining room were inspired by the wooded wallpaper on the far wall. While some rooms were designed based on a piece of wallpaper or furniture, others were inspired by the view out the windows or the light at a certain time of day. Table: custom with bone inlay detail; chairs: Crocus, Ironies; chandelier: custom in faux bois finish; ceiling: custom wallpaper |
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| Since the couple has two young children and two crazy work schedules, they needed some spots in their home to be a haven from the chaos. The soft grays, blues and purples in the master bedroom instantly soothe the eye and tone down the Hollywood-glam lighting. Pendants: Fantasy Lighting; chandelier: Retro Gallery; rug: Lawrence of La Brea; nightstands, wall covering: custom |
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| At the time of the remodel, both of the McHales' children were younger than four years old, so making the home kid friendly was a big priority. The oldest son's room is perfect for a toddler but was designed with colors and materials that can grow with him. Easy-to-reach storage makes accessing toys a snap and also allows for quick cleanup. |
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| The couple wanted to incorporate as many of their previous pieces of furniture as possible, so many of those pieces were refinished or reupholstered to work with the design — like the plush rocker in the nursery. Wall paint: Sepia Brown, Pratt & Lambert; rug: Damask rug, Weego Baby |
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| The guest bedroom is another room that strays from the color palette in the rest of the home. "I took a cue from the style of the house itself and used the neocolonial design as a reference with the architectural styles, while still adding modern touches in the furnishings," says Gordon. Table lamps: C Table Lamp, Global Views; bedframe: West Elm; wall paint: Teddy Bear, Dunn Edwards |
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The guest bathroom, with wallpaper that steals the show, is one of Gordon's favorite spaces in the home. The combination of traditional and modern detailing reflects the same look of the guest bedroom.
Wallpaper: Flowering Quince, Kneedler Fauchere; bathtub: Celine, American Bath Factory
Wallpaper: Flowering Quince, Kneedler Fauchere; bathtub: Celine, American Bath Factory
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| Both Joel and Sarah needed space to work that is separate from the rest of the house. A downstairs home office provides space for the couple to work at the same time, with plenty of storage for books and papers. Wall paint: Ecological, Dunn Edwards; chandelier: Pipa Bowl, Oly Studio; desk: custom |
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| A couch and coffee table in the office are tucked into a corner, so the couple can entertain clients if needed. Quirky lamps add a modern touch to this cozy nook. "It was important that the spaces reflect the uniqueness and eclecticism of their lifestyle," says Gordon. Couch and coffee table: clients' own; table lamps: Truffault Lamps, Kenneth Wingard More: A Hollywood Writer's Hillside Studio Casual Glamour in Dallas A Georgia Peach Grows California Roots |
Ideabook published on April 25, 2012.
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. Totally not what I'd expect from Joel McHale!
I find, for a house with so many sq. ft. some of the rooms are too small.
I do like the rest of the house and it's design. Hope I wasn't too harsh, but just stating my thoughts on the design. BTW, I love Joel McHale I think he's a riot.