A Farmhouse in the City

Text by Robert C. Martin / Photography by Stephanie Welbourne / Styling by Yukie McLean

Although this family is surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, their tranquil home is an oasis of comfort and style. See how they make two seemingly dissimilar worlds work in perfect harmony. 

Rather than “A Tale of Two Cities,” you could say that the Lewis family has created a retreat-like home that reflects the ambiance of two coasts. After renovating and living in a Cape Cod-inspired dwelling in Santa Monica, California, they were ready to relocate. So, with three young children and a lab puppy in tow, they headed to the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles. After being in Los Angeles for four years, they decided to “tear the house down, excavate into the hillside, and build our dream of a ‘California Farmhouse,’” Mrs. Lewis explains.

Serving as their own project manager and interior decorator, the Lewises oversaw construction for 2½ years, often by being on site every morning after dropping their kids off at school. “It was truly a creative collaboration of husband and wife!” Mrs. Lewis says. Along with their affection for New England cottages, the couple sought to give their farmhouse a decidedly regional feel as well. “One of our favorite places on earth is the San Ysidro Ranch—a wonderful hotel and spa located in the foothills of Southern California’s wine country. We replicated many of the ranch’s features, such as its metal roofs, board and batten siding, and natural landscaping.”

Since combining two distinct styles was no small feat, the Lewises knew their home not only had to be congruent but also functional enough to accommodate the needs of their growing family. “Like most families, we live on-the-go, so the flow from room to room was crucial,” Mrs. Lewis points out. The homeowners’ love for Farrow and Ball’s paints and wallpaper is most evident in their dining room, which sports a striped print above the chair rail and a ‘Tiffany blue’ inspired ceiling. “Apart from gathering here for family dinners, my kids often resort to this room to do their homework because of the quietness and privacy they find here.”

Connecting the kitchen and dining room, the butler’s pantry in this farmhouse contains a most curious feature: a glass panel set into the floor. “This inset allows us to look down into our basement wine cellar,” the homeowner explains. “We’re constantly surprised how many of our guests still walk around this see-through detail, instead of stepping on it!”

The Lewises also instilled each room with its own personality by filling it with furnishings and objects bought during their travels, at designer sales, and online. “Because I’m a huge Ralph Lauren and Restoration Hardware fan, we purchased much of our furniture from these company lines; these pieces complement our collection of French antiques quite nicely,” Mrs. Lewis adds. “Overall, I love mixing high-end pieces with low-end finds, because in the end it all seems to work beautifully!”

The upstairs den also serves as the kids’ study and a place where they can watch TV as well as play video games. It’s even a special retreat for mom. “I love coming up the stairs and being greeted by this room’s big picture window and map wallpaper,” Mrs. Lewis says. “And one of my favorite spots to read is the red-leather, high-backed tufted chair found here.” From the looks of things, it’s evident that the Lewises have succeeded in establishing a place that merges their coast-to-coast sensibilities.