It’s been an awfully eventful year, so you’d be forgiven if you missed the news that the designers behind DISC Interiors, whose projects we’ve frequently championed on our site, came out with a book this past spring. Portraits of Home (published by Rizzoli) showcases the impressive breadth of their work over the past decade, but there is one commonality running through the pages: Los Angeles.
“We wanted the book to represent the diversity of the neighborhoods we work in Los Angeles, from the hilly and lush terrain of Silver Lake, to the flats of Hancock Park, to the ocean side canyons in Santa Monica,” says David John Dick, who along with Krista Schrock founded the firm. “The chapters were set up as postcards—one project for each neighborhood—and we wrote about the defining characteristics and historical context of each neighborhood. How we approached the interiors is reflected in the location of each project.”
Here’s a peek at one of the projects featured in the book, a 1920s Spanish-style house in Santa Monica’s Rustic Canyon.
Photography by Sam Frost, courtesy of DISC Interiors.
Above: “The kitchen is one of our favorite rooms in this home, as it feels so distinctly the personality of the family who lives here,” shares Krista. “We referenced English kitchens (Plain English, Devol), as the client is from England, but we did not want the kitchen to feel traditional.” Calacatta Viola marble make up the countertop and backsplash. The cabinets are painted Farrow & Ball Green Smoke.
Above: Limestone, “hand-antiqued for texture,” was used for a more understated island. “The pendant lights were discovered while traveling in the Yucatan, in the city of Merida. They are from local artisans; the company is called Takto. Their work has a simplicity we admire, and we love the connection to Mexico, as our clients have traveled there many times and love it,” says David.
Above: In the pantry, Clé tiles from their Eastern Earthenware collection line the walls.
Above: The project was remodel that included a new addition that houses the kitchen and adjacent dining area. The table was custom built by DISC in LA, inspired by an original design by OZ Architects Inc., and the chairs are from Big Daddy’s Antiques in Los Angeles. The
Above: “Some of the arches in the home are original, and some of the other ones are created to maintain consistency. Greg Cahill of Cahill & Leese Architects did all of the architecture for the home and is responsible for these design elements.,” says David. Alonzo Construction provided the general contracting.,
Above: “We aim to design homes that age with our clients, and try to stay clear of trends and designs that date quickly. We are also a bit comfort-obsessed and love comfortable chairs and sofas! Some homes look great in a photo, but are they comfortable to live in? Why can’t we have both?”
Above: “Our ultimate goal is to design homes that have a soul and energy, as well as playfulness,” says Krista.
Above: The formal dining room. “The lights are from Laviva Home and made in Spain. We’ve become such close friends with them and have a deep respect for their love of craft and their work with artisans in Spain and Mexico. This grouping of lanterns are constructed of bronze and milk glass that glow warmly in the evening. They can be seen from the front patio and serve as a focal point in the evening,” says David.,
Above: The gilded cabinet with leather fronts is from Casamidy, in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. “We had just visited their home in San Miguel, and in their kitchen, they had this cabinet. We immediately fell in love with it and showed it to our clients for this project, and they fell in love with it, too,” says Krista. “It has a handmade quality that we wanted to bring to this home, and the primitive lines and use of materials felt at home here.”
Above: “We collaborated with ceramicist Forrest Lesch Middleton, who created custom tiles for the staircase risers. We’ve worked with him before, and have such a deep appreciation for his work and his unique craft. The tiles have a beautiful texture and sense of history, and we loved their muted tones,” says Krista.
Above: The tiles in this powder room were sourced from Tabarka Studio.
For more projects from DISC Interiors, see:
- LA Palette Cleanser: A Flash-Free Holmby Hills Makeover by DISC Interiors, Before and After
- A Spanish Colonial Revival Home Transformed, LA Edition
- The Designers Are In: LA Style, Artisan Edition
- Indoor-Outdoor Living: An LA Ranch Rehab by Barbara Bestor and DISC Interiors
