In L.A., even a long-dead movie star like screen legend Errol Flynn [right] can distinguish a house.

At some point, the star of film classics like 1935’s “Captain Blood” and 1938’s “Robin Hood,” lived in this 4500 square foot, 1926 Mediterranean style, hillside home in the Hollywood Hills, which boasts an 18 x 21-foot kitchen plus a panoramic city view from the dining area [photo below].

The kitchen had been redone in the 1970s with Sherwood Forest green cabinet and terra cotta tile counters.

Looking across the island towards the sliding door — notice the previous chandy

The ’70s vent hood was painted green to match the cabinets and both counters and backsplash were then wildly popular terracotta tile.

The new owners loved its layout and workability but wanted to combine a mid-20th century modern sensibility with an early 21st century neutral palette of blue, white, brown, and black. A light-catching Vreeland mica chandelier from Fuse Lighting became a focal point over the dining table and chairs [photos above].

Since the metal cabinet carcasses were in good shape, only the 32 lower Shaker-style doors were replaced. Brass hardware was redone by dipping in a nickel matte finish. The peg and groove oak floor was refinished.  Upper cabinets, with reeded-glass doors, are new.

The subdued color scheme masks a surprisingly disparate grouping of materials in the space. Walls (Benjamin Moore’s Summer Spout), the island cabinet and the dining chairs are various shades of blue. Benjamin Moore Simply White paint was used for trim while Farrow & Ball Lime White became the coating of choice for the cabinets and ceiling. Cedar ceiling beams were given a java tint. The vent hood over the island cooktop was repainted (with Farrow & Ball’s Mouse’s Back, one of our favorite colors) and given new metal trim.

Two perimeter walls were done with Carrara marble counters and backsplash that includes a line of vintage black embossed tiles. Franke Pro series sinks and KWC faucets replaced the two pre-existing sinks. The island also was resurfaced with gray Walker Zanger basaltina stone.

New appliances (some relocated) include the Thermador ovens and indoor grill, a DCS warming drawer, Sharp microwave, a GE Wine cooler and SubZero built-in refrigerator.

Behind the grill, designer Michael Berman used Erin Adams “Zen Weave” glass-tile from Ann Sacks, which mixes up the blue-white-gray-brown palette and brackets it on an appliance wall.

Errol Flynn wasn’t known as a cook and his reputation as a ladies’ man is said to be the origin for the naughty phrase “in like Flynn.”  If only walls could talk. Still, this now 4-year old kitchen prefigured the return of the blue-white-and-neutral palette which is as  “in” today as the mid-century modern revival.  (Souce: Home, 6/06; Flynn photo via theselvedgeyard.com).

Update – After this post appeared I received a note from an esteemed color expert and fellow blogger Sonu, the senior interior designer at Benjamin Moore. Sonu’s ideas about the use of color in this kitchen are excellent and explain how the color and design work together to make it timeless.

Tags: Ann Sacks, Atticmag, blue-and-white kitchen, DCS warming drawer, Errol Flynn, GE wine chiller, Michael Berman, peg-and-groove oak floor, SubZero refrigerator, Thermador ovens, Walker Zanger