Step Inside An Elevated Modern Farmhouse In Beverly Hills

Aesthetic preference is a constant evolution. Even as Sheldon Harte believed he had his client’s style and taste pinned down—over the course of two decades, the designer had completed seven homes for her, each leaning Mediterranean Revival in style and brought to life with her favorite earthy tones of mustard, terra cotta and olive—this time, she surprised him. For her new home in Beverly Hills, she was drawn to the idea of a modern farmhouse and wanted to try a palette of grays, taupes and charcoals. “She imagined those smoky hues as a backdrop for art and felt they were timeless and encompassing, like a warm hug,” Harte says. “We took that concept and morphed it in so many different ways.”

Stylistically, architects Richard Landry and William Mungall played off the same idea: creating spaces that would emphasize warmth and approachability by nodding to classic farmhouse characteristics in a modern way. “These are very elevated farmhouse elements that add a sense of comfort and familiarity,” Mungall explains, pointing out the structure’s recognizably rectangular shape, gable roof, exposed beams and surfaces of wood and textured stone. “But I would call this more of a modern home with farmhouse appeal.”

Meticulously built by general contractor Dan McGhee, the dwelling doesn’t feel like a gussied-up barn, of course, as the architecture takes a subtler approach. See the striking steel-and-glass floating center stair set within a clean-lined space off the entry and naturally lit by a double-height wall of windows and a skylight. Granite boulders merge with the stairs beside an indoor Zen garden that acts as a serene foil to the room’s hard edges. The visual effect reads decisively modern initially, yet a closer look reveals walls of hand-chiseled limestone bricks and wood siding that highlights the grain, alongside flooring that combines vintage French oak planks and aged limestone.

Nearly every room hints at its traditional aspects just as quietly. The sophisticated kitchen and elegant dining room feature reclaimed oak floors; exposed beams cut across the family room ceiling; and in the primary bedroom, a vaulted roofline outlines a voluminous retreat that nevertheless feels cozy thanks to its warm wood cladding. “Patina evolves over time, it isn’t something you can just buy. The wood ties in a sense of history that enhances the home’s overall ambience,” says Harte. “Seeing the luxurious furnishings of these rooms against rustic floors and ceilings creates such a great juxtaposition.”

For his part though, the designer leaned into his passions: evocative art and artisanal craftsmanship combined with glamorous touches, intricate textures and modern pieces, all of which “needed to come together in a livable way,” he notes, adding, “Nothing is cold, nothing is standoffish.” The dining area’s glittery, knot-like statement chandelier was one of the first things his client fell for, Harte recalls. The vision became “earthy textures below, celestial skies above” in the chic room, which is backdropped by a fireplace of petrified wood and cold-rolled steel topped with eye-catching art. As the homeowner loves to cook as well as entertain, the nearby kitchen is another pivotal area where different tones of woods, varied stonework and mixed metal finishes are jovially joined. “Layering helps this very large space feel intimate, inviting and so much more interesting,” Harte comments.

The family room is where his dedication to artful, handcrafted pieces is on particular display, as the area centers around a large multilevel coffee table with a handcrafted poured-metal finish. “It’s sculptural and brutalist in the sense that it’s strong and structural,” the designer describes, quipping, “If it had been only one level, it might have looked like a dance floor.” The bespoke furnishing hits just the right note of elevated sophistication within a comfortable room—a design philosophy at the heart of Harte’s upcoming debut book, The Refined Home (Vendome), which highlights the most significant projects of his career. Inviting spaces that double as works of art are his signature, as are homes, like this one, that merge unexpected ideas. As he concludes, “Great design is about taking risks, but very educated risks.”

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