The Casa Villam project:
As an architect, building my dream home was always the ultimate vision. The idea of merging all the essential elements into one space, making it feel like "home," while turning it into a personal work of art, was exciting in theory. However, the thought of living in my own creation brought some hesitation, constantly facing its imperfections and feeling like things could have been done differently.
To ease that pressure, I chose to start with a renovation project—something smaller and temporary. Living in LA, I gravitated toward a mid-century style home with a classic kidney-shaped pool and fireplace. I wanted to restore it with a touch of European flair, blending mid-century desert vibes with the elegance of the French Riviera from the late '60s.
The Kitchen
Before:
The kitchen was …. green, and untouched since the built of the house. Vinyl tiles, ancient appliances, beat-up “imitation” countertop, neon lights, and even fake stained-glass window filled the narrow room with cabinets up and down all around making the space clustered.
For this room, I wanted the opposite, something luminous, minimal, very much inspired by the french riviera, and the country living. I opted for open shelves to display my vintage collection of dishwear.
The Living Room
Before:
The living room was a wide open space spreading from the kitchen to the entrance door, no hallway, no pathway. A corner by the vintage mirror wall, set for a small dining nook maybe? The rest, loosely awkward, leaving space for coaches, chairs, and desks falling somehow out of place. In the middle of the mess, an amazing fireplace that didn’t seem to face anything.
My first decision was to build a Shelving wall as a separation between the entrance door and the rest of the room, creating a hallway without enclosing the space since the library would be a sheer living space. Then I decided that regardless of its proximity to the kitchen, that space wasn’t going to be a dining room. Still, a living room solely, and the mirror nook would become a media corner, reminiscent of a classic mid-century home. I built the record furniture myself to make sure it would fit the mirror to perfection.
Last but not least, I replaced the fake wooden floor, with hand-made black slate authentic mid-century flooring.
The Dining Room
Before:
The back space of the Living area was what you commonly call a “Den” that inexplicable second living room you find in most American middle-class homes. This one had a built-in shelf separating the space, apparently dedicated to hosting a television.
This space was going to become our dining room. Not ideally justapposed to the kitchen like you would prefer it, but we are honestly only talking of a few extra feet here. The space of the area though is the perfect ratio of a big dining table of 6 to 8 seaters.
As details, I turned the TV shelves into actual shelving and appropriated the bow window into a glass house for plants.
The Shower Room
Before:
The shower room had been updated sometimes in the 90s. The former owners kept only the original Blue porcelain sink from the initial built. The entire room even light, felt inclosed because of the small, frosted window on the outside door. The Shower itself was made of the basic white porcelain tiles, yes the cheapest on the market, and the floor was covered with it too.
I just came back from a trip in Bali and I purchased the house and I guess it influenced me quite a bit in this room. Mid-century easthetic has been punctuated by tikki influences, I guess this is my lazy take on it. Nevertheless, I wanted to stay true to the neutral tones of the house.
The Spare Room
Before:
To have a spare room is true luxury. This second bedroom was a cluster when I visited the house, old vinyl tiles on the floor, and outdated blue plaint on the walls.
For this room simply set wit a sofa bed for visiting friends and family, only used for my daily workout when I am not doing it outside, I decided to keep things simple. White walls, and cushy carpet. I hesitated quite a bit on the floor situation, I tried the polish concrete for. a bit, but the result was not what I expected, the carpet ultimately re-inforce the mid-century look.
The Bathroom
Before:
The bathroom was one of the last project on the house. I debate a lot of what to remove, what to change. Especially concerning the original Baby Blue tub and sink that were kept intact since the 60s. I removed in in the shower room, and felt maybe with the matching tub, it was a little silly. Blue is not my color… so I had to find a way to mix it in with the rest of the house palette. I liked the minimal look the tiles, but it needed to be refreshed and evened out.
I went for a “refurbishing” angle. Changing colors, details, accessories, and embracing a full monochromatic look from ceiling to floor, just with the Blue porcelain popping-up. It was daring, but now I love it
The Workshop
The garage was a classic 2 car space, nothing about it was unique besides the original wooden shelves set on 2 walls. On the opposite side, is an old working table, almost falling apart.
I wanted this space to be an actual workshop, like the ones you see in movies, think Gran Torino. I centered the room around a massive work table on which I set the table saw. I refurbished the wall working table with a pegged board-covered system for all the tools.
This place is now one of our favorite, to work on projects, fix surf boards or simply hangout. I added a few vintage frames and photography to make it more homie, as well as special details on cabinet knobs for example.
The Backyard
Before:
The backyard was already great, fully fenced, surrendered by neighbor’s trees, giving a lush and private feel to the generous space. And of course the original, 9 feet deep Kidney Shaped Pool. The mid-century dream. The only thing missing was a defined lounge and dining space. Also there was this build-in barbecue setting, that had potential, but had been used as a planter, and trinkets holder.
This area was to be my urban oasis, something at the confluent of French Riviera and something of Palm Springs. I built a pergola, covered with bamboo sheets, and of course, masterpiece of all, I turned the old shabby brick bbq into a functional wood Pizza Oven and Grill.
