Hollywood Legend Kitchen
By Jane F ~ November 29th, 2009. Filed under: Blue, Kitchens.


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.















November 29th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Fabulous kitchen. I love the blues used and my youngest would love the chandelier.
November 29th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Well, I love Errol Flynn. While the updated kitchen looks fabulous, I can’t help but wonder what it looked like when he had it.
D
November 29th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Great makeover and background story. Would love to see what it looked like back in Errol Flynn’s day!
Christi @ A Southern Life
November 29th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Beautiful, sleek, and modern… what a great kitchen re-do!
November 29th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
I think I’d be staring out of the glass doors all day. To me the latest kitchen stays out of the way of the view.
November 30th, 2009 at 7:51 am
A wonderful kitchen, but I would never get anything done except looking at that view. I am also wondering what it might have looked like when Flynn lived there. Thanks for sharing.
Sandy
November 30th, 2009 at 7:55 am
As the resident rug diva here I have to hope the rug under the table was put there as a prop for the photo shoot because it does not follow my guidelines for choosing the correct size~!
November 30th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Sadly, Flynn passed in 1959. This wasn’t his most famous house (ergo no pix) — that was a “ranch” on Mulholland Drive which also had the same view — it’s one of the most famous views in L.A.. He also was a sailor, a legendary drinker and a ladies’ man. My best guess is he went into the kitchen most often for ice cubes.
So many of the best old houses in L.A., even those attached to film stars weren’t photographed (and the kitchens never were since that was the domain of the “help”
in those days).
Jane, that’s a cowhide from The Rug Company. Very fancy and — I agree — way too small. Besides, a cowhide rug under a breakfast table? Either they don’t use it or it has long been replaced.
November 30th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I went in search of the chandelier and found it at http://www.fuselighting.com Page 3 in chandeliers. The house/kitchen now belongs to Karen Figilis of KFWB Design Marketing (publicist for Dan Marty Designs, William Haines Designs along with Fuse Lighting to name a few).
December 1st, 2009 at 8:19 am
Thanks for the juicy details, Allison! I do love that chandy.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:53 pm
So nice…..I, too ,wonder what it was like when he lived there