A Starck Contrast

Acclaimed French architect Philippe Starck’s first American home is currently on the market for $2.8 million—and it’s available fully furnished. Though many of the current pieces in the home were not designed by Starck, his aesthetic undeniably influenced the house’s present style. Originally built in 1953, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom Los Angeles dwelling cuts an unassuming silhouette from the street, with a charcoal-gray-and-white exterior.

Once you're inside, however, the 2,900-square-foot space has a stunning indoor-outdoor flow, with numerous rooms offering up direct access to the expansive back patio. The main living areas boast an open floor plan, with a lofted wood-beam ceiling connecting the upgraded kitchen to the living room. Bright yellow walls help to make the living room an eclectic and inviting space, and the yellow built-in bookshelves are especially fun and eccentric. There are similar pops of color elsewhere in the house, including one of the three bedrooms, which features bubble-gum pink walls. A second guest bedroom with bunk beds reflects a similar pastel-pink palette.

The main suite, by contrast, is awash with neutral colors, with a lofted ceiling, cream-colored curtains, and a bathroom painted the faintest shade of periwinkle. Two walls of windows line the bathroom overlooking the trees, with a standalone claw-foot tub nestled into a corner between them. Out back, an outdoor kitchen and covered deck area are primed for alfresco dining, and a wade pool and outdoor shower are perfect for cooling down on warmer days. It should come as no surprise that the home poses as an idyllic escape for Angelenos looking to unwind and entertain in private: Starck, who lived in the home between 2004 and 2007, is perhaps best known for designing numerous hotels, restaurants, and even yachts. Presently, some of his work is on display at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and MoMA and the Brooklyn Museum in New York, among others.