West Hollywood Italianate Kitchen

In an Italianate kitchen, original 1920s features remain sought after details today.

It’s not often you run across a kitchen that has been virtually untouched since its completion in the 1920’s. But Los Angeles designer Dan Marty was the lucky occupant of this historic Villa d’Este apartment when these pictures of his Italianate kitchen were taken several years ago. The 1928 courtyard apartments were designed by Pierpont and Walter Davis on West Laurel Ave. I originally kept the article for the building’s Italian architecture (the courtyard is especially handsome) and, in the apartment, the quirky stove hood, which looks like a cross between a submarine telescope and a flattened Victrola phonograph horn.  The hood is a feature worth repeating, as are the arched barn wood doors hiding cupboards.  All the little details are so interesting it’s easy to overlook the sink, but don’t miss the petite copper wall mounted light fixtures on either side of the hanging plant container either.

While the storage shelves are convenient, I would rather conceal clutter with a pair of sliding barn wood doors.  Terra-cotta tiles on the counter are also original to the space. I like the simplicity of the one tile high decorative tile edging instead of a wall of tiles.  I’m also coveting the deer plaque above the stove.  Open arched niches below the counter keep wine and cooking supplies close at hand.  This kitchen is a perfect example of what’s old is new again – many kitchen obsessed could move right in.

(Sources: House Beautiful, Maison au Naturel No. 819)

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