In Silver Lake, tucked into the hillside, sits a house that carries both the weight of history and the freshness of reinvention. Originally built in the 1960s by architect Dick E. Lowry as his own residence, the post-and-beam structure bears the unmistakable mark of a designer’s personal care: slender wood posts, sculptural stairs, custom lighting still glowing six decades later. When interior designer Kirsten Blazek of a1000xbetter first walked through the door, she felt she was “stepping into history.” Rather than overwrite Lowry’s vision, she approached the project as a dialogue — one where architecture and interior design could meet across time. By weaving in an earthy, moody palette of teal, chocolate, ochre, and umber, grounding the space in richly textured rugs and sculptural furnishings, and curating art that punctuates without overwhelming, Blazek reframed the home through furnishings and decor for modern living while allowing Lowry’s voice to resonate. The result is a house that feels as though it remembers its past — but speaks fluently in the present.
This home has such a rich architectural history. What was your initial reaction when you first stepped into Dick E. Lowry’s former residence?
Stepping into the home for the first time felt like I was stepping into history. The home’s 1960s USC-influenced architecture was thoughtfully preserved, despite the home’s previous renovations. The architecture throughout the home is stunning, and Lowry’s meticulous craftsmanship is evident in each detail – from the slender wood posts and overhanging rafters to the floor-to-ceiling glass and sculptural stairs. Even some of the original custom lights designed in the 1960s were still intact, which had me in awe.
Did the fact that this was a personal residence for the original architect influence the way you approached the design?
I think the fact that the home was Lowry’s own personal residence made me more careful with my furniture selections. Lowry’s work and presence are strong in the home, and I didn’t want to overlook his design process and his legacy. I strived to balance the original design and architecture with slight modernization, and make the home accessible to a modern lifestyle while maintaining its historic charm. I leaned into an earthy color palette to complement the home’s color story, while incorporating a more updated aesthetic.
How did you find the balance between preserving the home’s Mid-Century soul and introducing your own design perspective?
The kitchen and bathrooms had been previously remodeled and modernized by previous owners, so with that in mind, we made it a priority to conserve the rest of the original mid-century charm of the home through color and furnishings. I introduced my perspective mainly through the color theme of the home, which brings a bright twist to the space while keeping the design grounded. We used Mehraban rugs throughout the home to feature pieces with muted hues, graphic patterns, and organic textures.
Were there any original architectural elements that you knew had to stay untouched? Conversely, where did you feel freedom to push into something new?
The architecture is reminiscent of mid-century design, and I knew we wanted to preserve that and let it have space to shine in the home. I chose furniture that allowed the stunning architecture to stand out, paying homage to the original pieces of the home, but still having their individuality. The architecture is mainly untouched, besides the previous owners’ renovations to the kitchen and bathrooms. However, we updated the home for a modern lifestyle, adding a reading nook and desk to create a working and social space in the lower level.
The color palette is bold and unexpected — can you walk us through your thinking behind the moody tones like teal, ochre, and umber?
Given the home’s beautiful backdrop of the Los Angeles hillside, we wanted to incorporate the greenery of the landscape into the home throughout the design. We added texture and depth without overwhelming the space, while harmonizing with the home’s warm woods and Mid-Century aesthetic.
How did you use texture and materials to shape the atmosphere throughout the home?
Texture and materials were used very subtly in this home, as we did not want to overwhelm the space visually. Rug selection was especially important in this process, with the Mehraban rugs we selected being very quiet color-wise, with a small pop of texture. As for materials, the home is very wood-heavy due to its mid-century roots, but it also serves as a way to integrate the beautiful landscaping into the interior.
Many of the shapes and furnishings feel sculptural and intentional. What was your approach to sourcing and selecting pieces for this project?
We were fortunate to collaborate with Amsterdam Modern, an LA-based vintage furniture vendor, to provide furnishings for the home. We curated many of the furnishings from their inventory, with many Mid-Century pieces. However, we took a more restrained approach when selecting which pieces would be in the home – less is more for this home. We wanted the architecture to take center stage and its furnishings would serve as quiet complements to tie everything together.
How did you incorporate art in a way that supports, rather than overwhelms, the architecture?
The artwork throughout the home brings subtle pops of color to complement the home’s original architecture and lean into the Mid-Century vibe. The home overall holds a very muted, earthy color palette, and I wanted to maintain that through the artwork. The bright, primary colors of some of the art pieces bring a bit of playfulness to such a charming space with unique pops of color and interesting shapes.
How do you want this home to feel for the people who walk into it now?
I want people who walk through the home to feel the original charm and history behind the home. When selecting furniture, accessories, and art, I didn’t want to overwrite Lowry’s work, but I want those who walk through the space to feel grounded and connected to the home’s Mid-Century roots and feel the beautiful landscape that surrounds the home.
What does it mean to you, personally, to design a home with this kind of historical weight — and to leave your mark on it?
I am so grateful to be able to design a home with this kind of historical weight. My goal was to maintain the integrity of the home while incorporating a contemporary twist for modern living, which I think was successfully done. I wanted the design to have a wide range of appeal with its blend of modernization and original charm, which I think has proven successful.
Credits:
Interior design work by Kirsten Blazek | @a1000xbetter
Photography by Michael P.H. Clifford | @michaelcliffordphotography
