Before designer Amr Samaha laid eyes on the 4-bedroom Beverly Hills property now known as Shadybrook, the home had lost its sense of self. Years of neglect had layered chaos over charm, creating a structure that felt more burdened than lived-in. But beneath the clutter, Samaha saw not ruin, but rhythm—a grounded architectural pulse waiting to be refined, not rewritten.

“Restoration isn’t about nostalgia,” he explains. “It’s about clarity. The goal was never to impose a new identity, but to reveal the one it already had.” And so began a meticulous transformation, turning what was once a forgotten structure into a home that celebrates time, texture, and restraint.

Rethinking the Ranchette

Samaha calls the result a modern ranchette—a contemporary evolution of the classic ranch-style home, distinct from the farmhouse aesthetic that’s become synonymous with every open-concept renovation on Instagram. “It’s grounded and elongated,” he says, “but it doesn’t lean on pastiche or nostalgia. It’s about clean lines, an organic material palette, and a kind of quiet luxury that doesn’t ask for attention—but earns it.”

At Shadybrook, the home’s original footprint remained. Instead of blowing out walls or shoehorning in superfluous additions, Samaha honored the horizontal sprawl, reinforcing its intimacy with warm, grounded materials and subtle architectural moves. This was a renovation that relied more on refinement than on reinvention—a design ethos that feels increasingly rare in high-end real estate.

“These materials don’t perform for you,” Samaha notes. “They evolve with you. They change in the light, they mark over time, they tell the story of the people who live here.”

Living Materials

Every choice within the home tells a story—not just about how something looks, but how it lives. Shou Sugi Ban, the ancient Japanese technique of charring wood to preserve it, cloaks the home’s exterior in a moody, textured façade that will only grow more beautiful with time. Inside, Cipollino marble, Australian travertine, and French white oak are allowed to breathe and patinate, creating a lived-in elegance that doesn’t date itself.

“These materials don’t perform for you,” Samaha notes. “They evolve with you. They change in the light, they mark over time, they tell the story of the people who live here.”

The fireplace—rendered in weathered Corten steel—is a study in material humility. It doesn’t scream for attention, but anchors the space with a presence that feels inevitable. Samaha calls it “sculptural but understated.” The lime wash walls, soft to the touch and ever-shifting in hue, cast a gentle glow that deepens the home’s lived-in romance.

Beauty That Breathes

More than just a visual transformation, the renovation reimagines the sensory experience of living in the home. Skylights pull natural light into unexpected corners, like the shower—turning routine into ritual. HEPA filters run silently behind the scenes, ensuring that every breath taken is as intentional as the home’s palette. Brass and copper plumbing, selected not just for their resilience but their antimicrobial properties, elevate even the invisible systems with purpose.

“There’s this idea that luxury is separate from wellness,” Samaha says. “But real luxury is about feeling good in your space. It’s about materials that are healthy, systems that support you, and details that quietly take care of you.”

The Interior Dialogue

When it came time to furnish the home, Samaha brought in designer Francesca Grace, known for her signature mix of vintage softness and contemporary form. Her custom pieces—from sculptural chairs to a pair of floral tapestry armchairs—imbued the spaces with soul, adding unexpected romance without compromising the home’s architectural rhythm.

“The architecture sets the tone, but interiors complete the story,” Samaha says. “With Francesca, that dialogue was seamless—every piece added depth without competing for attention.”

Designer’s Notes:

1. Let the Structure Lead

Instead of tearing down or overbuilding, Samaha chose to work within the home’s original footprint. Preserving spatial flow and architectural rhythm can result in a space that feels grounded and intentional.

2. Choose Materials That Age With Grace

Opt for finishes that evolve with time: Shou Sugi Ban, Cipollino marble, lime wash, and Corten steel all patinate beautifully, gaining depth and richness through daily life.

3. Wellness is in the Details

Natural materials, brass and copper plumbing and thoughtfully placed skylights all enhance how a space feels—not just how it looks.

4. Subtle is Strong

A strong visual presence doesn’t have to be loud. The Corten steel fireplace and soft, tonal palette demonstrate that restraint can be just as compelling as drama.

5. Sustainability is the New Luxury

Forget trends—true luxury is about longevity. Durable materials, timeless design, and a home that grows more beautiful over time are the ultimate indulgence.

“If I’ve done my job right,” he says, “this house will look even better in 50 years than it does today.”

Designed to Endure

Samaha’s decision to work within the home’s original footprint, to prioritize patina over polish, and to lean into sustainability as a form of luxury, results in a home that feels not just relevant, but necessary. It’s a project that pushes back against disposable design culture in favor of something enduring.

“If I’ve done my job right,” he says, “this house will look even better in 50 years than it does today.”

It’s a bold idea—designing not for the camera, but for time itself. But in the world of The House, where beauty is measured not by trend but by intention, it’s precisely the kind of vision we seek.

Credits:

Interior design by Amr Samaha, Samaha Studio | @realamrsamaha, @samahastudio

Staging and furniture by Francesca Grace | @francescagracehome

Photography by Will Myers @wil.myrs and Zam Studio @zam.studios.