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Interior decorator Michael DePerno's WasHollywood home combines Asian inti c'

ences with nature-inspired touches; th,living room sofa, part of DePerno's Rs

collection, was designed with Chinese-style ebonized-cherry legs and uphol-

stered in a linen-silk tweed; a vintage PaMcCobb travertine-top cocktail table sit;

on an antique Chinese rug, See Resources,

SITIIN G IN THE SERENE,neutral-toned living room of MichaelDePerno's West Hollywood house. one would never guess that theTechnicolor hustle of the Sunset Strip was within walking distance.The room brims with nature-inspired touches. from the delicate flow-ers in an antique Chinese rug to the chunks of creamy coral that adornthe cocktail table to the hulking piece of driftwood in one corner. a giftfrom a friend. "I have a sort of curious eye for natural things." saysDePerno. an interior designer. "I am most awed by stones and twigsand branches and things from the desert floor."

It's an interesting point of departure for someone with a rather urbane.sophisticated background. A onetime model who has traveled exten-sively in Europe and who lived in New York before moving to the WestCoast. DePerno recently bought a house in Northern California'sSonoma County "where the redwoods meet wine country." and com-mutes between projects in Sonoma and Los Angeles in a vintage LandCruiser. with his dogs. Sticks and Niki, in tow.

One can't help sensing an infusion of Northern California sensibilityinto the designer's lifestyle here. like some fragrant herbal tea. "I'm notvery L.A. ••.insists DePerno. though he's lived in the city for seven years.most recently in the Hancock Park area. Yet this shingled retreat. its en-trance obscured behind a verdant staircase of ivy. ferns. and sycamoretrees. seems to prove his point. "I like the way the house is set up highoff the property." he says. "It makes you feel like you're perched in a tree. n

196 ELLEDECOR.COM

Soon after DePerno moved in. though. he set about taming the na-tive wildlife. replacing a 40-foot ficus in the backyard with lavender,viburnum. and magnolia and a trio of Chinese evergreen elms that hefelt better reflected the house's subdued. almost Eastern character.Garden seating consists of large tree trunks carved into chairs. "I didn'twant to do yucca and cactus and indigenous things. n he explains,shooing a visitor's glance away from a nearby palm tree. "I wanted theplant material to reflect the architecture."

Luckily the late-1930s house needed little in the way of renovation,thanks to the Depression-era can-do practicality of its construction."I'm fascinated by whoever the architect was. because everything isso proportioned and symmetrical." says DePerno. "They didn't skimpon anything. There's no wasted space-everything is perfectly ap-pointed and really logical." including the double-sided. double-dooredcloset atop the stairs that he calls "a treat." DePerno left the kitchen'soriginal stainless-steel sink. counters. and backsplash intact. thoughhe replaced the previous owner's large stove and refrigerator withsmaller. vintage appliances to better maximize the space ("I don't cookmuch." he shrugs). In the adjacent dining area is the house's one flam-boyant touch: an antique zebra skin. edged in leather.

Elsewhere. however. the "Serenity now" vibe is carefully maintained.DePerno sanded and rubbed the upstairs floors with a natural stain foran unpolished. washed-over look. And in his bedroom. the fumishings-

the platform bed he designed (with a headboard upholstered in rawsilk), a campaign-style writing desk, Chinese and Tibetan rugs, andlinen draperies-are decidedly minimal. "I don't really like to make abig statement with window coverings," he says. "These function fine.I close them at night, and they give me privacy."

A Chinese marble-top carved-rosewood table continues the Easternmotif in the master bathroom (DePerno kept the original fixtures andstainless-steel bathtub trim here, adding only a hexagonal tile floormore in keeping with the setting). Back downstairs in the living room,a sofa he designed with Chinese-style ebonized-cherry legs mingleswith a large 1800s Korean Tonsu chest. He also has a "huge appreci-ation" for Japanese architecture. "I think it's kind of a very early Mod-ernism, and I find the purity in it really touching." ;.

Despite his yen for clean lines, DePerno can get caught in the ten-sion between aesthetics and ascetics: amassing "stuff" on one hand-including a formidable collection of antiques, baskets, boxes, books,Bolivian rugs, pottery, and seashells-and yearning for wide-openspaces on the other. "Sometimes I'm in the mode of collector," he ad-mits, "and sometimes I'm in the mode of being spartan and minimalist."For the time being at least, the designer seems to have found the per-fect balance of ephemera and permanence. "I am not the type ofperson who is constantly changing my world; I do that for a living forother people," he says. "When I find something I'm really interested inor moved by, I want to keep it around." _

198 ELLEDECOR.COM

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resourcesP=.g0 1S':: Captain's beds and framework by FabioWoodwotking (for information: 718-782-1638). Chartsconce by Urban Archaeology (143 Franklin St., New York,NY 10013; 212-431-4646; urbanarchaeology.com).PfI,16 1',3: Vintage chairs from Depression Modem(150 Sullivan St., New York, NY 10012; 212-982-5699;depressionmodern.com). Battista table by Karlell USInc. (for information: 866-854-8823; kartellus.com).Vintage Adnet leather screen from Jourdan Antiques(for information: 212-674-4470).

K-\TL'k\1 l'~ .~l -r ~

P2,>~ 1· [: Interior design by Michael DePerno ofRen (for information: 323-356-2362; 707-887-8114).Pages 'J S' -i'~; Sofa from the Ren Collection by MichaelDePemo (for information: 323-356-2362).P"9e: " Chaise upholstered in Blue cotton-linenfrom Diamond Foam and Fabric (611 S. La Brea Ave.,Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323-931-8148).p"-G'" 18-. In kitchen, vintage cabinet pulls from Liz'sAntique Hardware (453 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA90036; 323-939-4403; lahardware.com). In dining room,Parsons chairs from the Ren Collection by MichaelDePerno (for information: 323-356-2362) upholstered inRita linen-cotton, to the trade from Lulu OK Fabrics(for showrooms: 212-223-4234; luludk.com).Page '. 'u' In bedroom, Baoto antique Chinese rugfrom Robert Kuo (8686 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood,CA 90069; 310-855-1555; robertkuo.com).

IN THE GK\')\)\ ,Pages ,r" (': Interior design by Lou Marotta Inc.(for information: 212-223-0306; loumarotta.com). Allantiques and vintage furniture, unless otherwise noted,from Lou Marotta Inc. Architecture by Sara Lopergolo ofG and L Architects (for information: 212-962-1292;gandlarchitects.com). Construction by Martinelli Buildingand Contracting (for information: 860-567-8387).Upholstery by Csrcomo Upholstery (for information: 201-553-0554; carcomoupholstery.com). Curtains by AtelierXavier (for information: 201-863-0550).Page 200: Vintage commode by Frederick P. Victoria &Son and vintage Holmegaard glassware from LouMarotta Inc. (for information: 212-223-0306).p"~,, 2l " Sofa upholstered in Cottage Plaid cotton, tothe trade from Stroheim & Romann (for showrooms: 718-706-7000; stroheim.com).P?: ~s.' :..-<::: Sofa upholstered in Diabolo chenille,by Loree, to the trade from Osbome & Little (forshowrooms: 212-751-3333; osborneandlittle.com).Reproduction Frances Elkins Circle chairs fromLou Marotta Inc. (for information: 212-223-0306).P~g.:;.~:: : In kitchen, counter and backsplash in NewSaint Laurent marble by Stone Source (for information:212-979-6400; stonesource.com).Paqe 2'"0: Early Spring wineglasses, AwningsSummer dinner plates, and Dots Summer saladplates by Marc Blackwell New York (for information: 866-755-6269; marcblackwell.cornl, Rreplace of Petit Granitmarble by Stone Source (for information: 212-979-6400;stonesource.com).Page~ -ZO .r7: In bathroom, sink vanities of Calacattamarble by Stone Source (for information: 212-979-6400;stonesource.com). Tara Classic faucets by DombrachtUSA (for information: 800-774-1181; dornbracht.com).Maestro whirlpool bathtub by Kohler Co. (forinformation: 800-4-KOHLER; kohler. com). In bedroom,headboard upholstered in Mohair cotton-mohair, to thetrade from Donghia FumiturelTextiles Ltd. (forshowrooms: 800-DONGHIA; donghia.com). Bedspreadby Atelier Xavier (for information: 201-863-0550).

1'L.-\\\ LLS rI' ISHPaf.jes 20D"-; i :Interior design by Joe Niermann ofNiermann Weeks (for information: 212-319-7979;niermannweeks.com).

,': ; Gabrielle sofa, Campanella armchair,upholstered in Lisbon Mini Stripe silk, Pesaro sidetable, Etruscan cocktail table, and pillows covered inCipriani taffeta and Linen velvet, all to the trade fromNiermann Weeks (for showrooms: 212-319-7979).P'" '" 2 c" Sevigne screen, Mirabeau table, andDanieli chandelier, to the trade from Niermann Weeks(for showrooms: 212-319-7979).o . In IMng room, club chair upholstered in Mohair,pillow covered in Cipriani taffeta, and Lucien table, tothe trade from Niermann Weeks (for showrooms: 212-319-7979). In bedroom, Loire canopy bed, with customPlexiglas headboard, to the trade from Niermann Weeks.Pin-up swing-arm lamps with custom shades byLampworks (231 E. 58th St., New York, NY 10022; 888-LAMPWORKS; lampworks.com). Elysee chair upholsteredin Exbury Flannel, to the trade from Niermann Weeks.Cashmere throw, to the trade from Holland & Sherry(for showrooms: 212-355-6241; hollandandsherry.com).Mediterranean Coral pillow, by Source Perrier(for information: 888-543-2804; sourceperrier.com).. ",' _ z ,. Curtains of Cumberland wool, to the trade

from Niermann Weeks (for showrooms: 212-319-7979).

l' _ ".:T1C\L ~1.-\G1Cil ~ ._:Infinity #2, 1997, by Sonja Weber Gilkey (for

information: 434-293-3949). Como rug by The Rug Co.(88 Wooster St., New York, NY 10012; 212-274-0444;therugcompany.info). Lipari floor lamp by PaganiStudio(for information: 718-246-5206; paganistudio.com).

. ~ Olivia linen-cotton cafe curtains fromPottery Bam (for information: 800-922-5507;potterybarn.com). Millettia lamp by PaganiStudio (forinformation: 718-246-5206).

ETCL1~I'-.-\-». . " . .: Dark-oak soap dish, $25, by Calvin KleinHome (for information: 800-294-7978). Fig-scented soap,$10, by Cote Bastide from 4510 (for information: 888-567-4510; 4510.com). Vetro soap dish, $70, by Arte Italicefrom Stanley Korshak (for information: 214-871-3626;stanleykorshak.com). Ritz nautilus soap dish, $75, fromOggetti (for information: 305-576-1044; oggetti.com).Round soap dish, $38, by Waterworks (for information:800-899-6757; waterworks.com). Purifying Seamosssoap, $23, by Molton Brown from Bameys New York (iorinformation: 888-8-BARNEYS). Bistro soap dish, $34, byRestoration Hardware (for information: 888-243-9720;restorationhardware.com). Rose-scented soap, $18.50,by Fragonard from Cherie Boutique Franr;alse (forinformation: 952-475-2212: cherieusa.com). Unicci soapdish, $48, by Alessi from Moss (146 Greene St., New York,NY 10012; 866-888-6677; mossonline.com). White Shellsoap dish, $15, by Crabtree & Evelyn (for information:800-CRABTREE; crabtree-evelyn.com). Horn soap dish,$12, by Salgoniste Inc. (186';' Spring St., New York, NY10012; 212-925-4610; saigoniste.com). Black Lip soapdish, #61005, $178, by Labrazel (for information: 203-281-3888; labrazel.com). Lacquer soap dish, $45, byJonathan Adler {47 Greene St., New York, NY 10013; 212-941-8950; jonathanadler.com). Soho subway tiles,$9.50/sq.ft., by Walker Zanger (for information: 877-611-0199; walkerzanger.com).

Copyright «)2004 by Hachette Fi~pacchi Media U.S., lnc All rights reserved.Reproduction without permission is strictly proh!bited. Printed in the U.$A

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