Tuscan Dream Home Transforms Los Angeles Living: Experience European Elegance in the City

By Michael Reed

Elegante patio con piscina central rodeada de plantas aromáticas y arquitectura Toscana

From Vision to Reality: The Creation of a Unique Home in Tarzana

“Lidan Sfadia and I began with a vision that seemed like a mere fantasy on paper two years ago,” recalls developer Edward Grigoryan. “A year ago, this place was mere soil. Now, it stands before us as a breathtaking reality.”

The topic at hand is an expansive 7,300-square-foot home shaped like a U and sprawled across a single story, located in the Tarzana neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley, an area noted for its tranquil residential vibe and seamless indoor-outdoor living. The house melds the artisanal charm of Craftsman style with the rustic allure of Tuscan architecture and is built around a substantial central courtyard, fostering a strong indoor-outdoor connection.

Design and Layout

The interior walls are coated with hand-applied plaster in a soothing greige tone, setting a calm, neutral stage for a palette of natural materials. The U-shaped configuration of the home distinctly separates the private living areas from the communal spaces, simultaneously allowing for an abundance of natural light and views of the outdoors. The central garden hosts a swimming pool, framed by aromatic rosemary, which softens the lines between built structures and natural surroundings.

Interiores minimalistas con paredes de yeso gris claro y chimenea de piso a techo
El diseño interior enfatiza materiales naturales y tonos serenos que crean una atmósfera tranquila.

“The design was initially centered on a sprawling courtyard, leading us to construct a 35-foot bridge that marks the entrance,” states Sfadia, a Los Angeles-based developer and co-creator of the home. However, one of the most striking and Zen-like aspects of the house is its central atrium, where a Bonsai tree, imported and installed with a crane, is encased. This tree, highlighted by the architectural elements around it, introduces a moment of reflection within the home.

Next to the atrium, the kitchen is designed with simplicity, equipped with custom oak cabinets, a high-end La Cornue oven, and an island topped with what the designers refer to as Bonsai marble, completing a thematic continuity within the space.

Inspiration and Interiors

Inspired by European, particularly Tuscan, architecture known for its gracefully aging materials, Sfadia and Grigoryan aimed to create interiors that are tactile and atmospheric, yet durable. “Our goal was to forge a tranquil and soothing environment, yet intersperse it with moments of awe through the use of scale,” they share. For instance, the family room is anchored by a towering, floor-to-ceiling fireplace that divides the space between two large Belgian linen sofas from RH. The decor is completed with a jute rug from Lulu and Georgia, two Pierre Jeanneret-inspired hair-on-hide chairs, and a bespoke piece of art by local artist Zack Bayati.

Sala de estar Toscana con chimenea prominente, sofás de lino belga y decoración rústica
La inspiración Toscana se refleja en cada detalle, desde los muebles hasta los materiales envejecidos.

The adjacent breakfast nook features a custom travertine table paired with woven dining chairs and select pieces from Berber Imports. The formal living room is also designed around a prominent fireplace, this time accompanied by a lighter-colored wool rug from Lulu and Georgia, a custom brown suede sofa from a local craftsman, and a set of Crate & Barrel lounge chair and coffee table.

The home theater introduces a shift with walls painted in an olive-toned limewash, adding a subtle variation to the home’s overall color scheme. In the dining room, the Tuscan theme returns with an RH reclaimed oak table and Belgian linen chairs, while an antique Persian rug from the early 1900s adds historical depth and texture.

Private Spaces and Serenity

The private quarters maintain the material theme seen in the communal areas. The master bedroom offers garden views and features a fireplace, a Jenni Kayne bed dressed in Parachute Home linens, a jute rug, and a seating arrangement consisting of two Belgian linen chairs from RH flanking a side table from Zara Home.

The master bathroom emphasizes natural and handcrafted elements with its Moroccan tiles, a standalone bathtub, a spacious walk-in shower with brass fittings, and an intimate outdoor area.

“This home is like a sanctuary intended to imbue its residents with tranquility,” explains Sfadia. “Creating a large, single-story residence has always been a dream, and this project has vividly brought that dream to fruition. With its high ceilings and large windows, the home feels grand yet remains incredibly inviting and livable, which was our key intention.”

This delicate balance of grandeur and comfort resonated quickly with buyers—a creative couple from Malibu looking for privacy and a slower lifestyle—prompting them to purchase the home even before it hit the market.

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