Nestled in the Hollywood Hills between Los Feliz and Hollywood, just above the iconic Hollywood sign, stands a charming 1937 family home that has become both sanctuary and showcase for the creative duo behind Sherwood Kypreos studio. George Kypreos, an architect, and Shana Sherwood, an interior designer, acquired this Hollywood Regency-style property not just as their family residence, but as a living testament to their collaborative design philosophy.
Built by architect Arthur W. Hawes in 1937, the home exemplifies the Hollywood Regency style that defined the era's glamorous aesthetic. The architectural program features painted wood paneling, a tiled roof, and numerous English-style windows that flood the interior with natural light. Hawes was responsible for many similar constructions in the neighborhood during the 1930s, along with theaters and cinemas that reflected Hollywood's golden age of entertainment.
The design partnership between Kypreos and Sherwood creates a perfect balance of technical and aesthetic expertise. "He always brings an architectural perspective to projects, while I focus more on the decorative elements," explains Shana. "We never separate architecture from design." This complementary approach proved essential when they faced their first major challenge: integrating Shana's grandmother's extensive collection of 20th-century California art and design pieces into the home's original interior, complete with preserved moldings and period details.
The eclectic collection includes mid-century lamps from Palm Springs, chairs by Paolo Buffa, and artwork from the 1970s feminist movement. "This type of house offers the freedom to do many different things, to mix styles and eras," notes Shana. The entrance immediately immerses visitors in this rich universe of references, featuring vintage consoles and lamps, custom lampshades by Nickey Kehoe, and carefully reupholstered family pieces in luxurious velvet.
The living spaces reflect the couple's commitment to creating a comfortable, joyful family home while honoring both the house's colonial aesthetic and Hollywood's mid-century legacy. "We mainly tried to mix the house's history, its colonial aesthetic, with the mid-century elements tied to Hollywood, along with our own desires," they explain. The living room emphasizes softness and comfort while reflecting the warm tones of the surrounding environment – the vegetation and canyon that define their hillside location.
Custom sofas in Schumacher fabrics anchor the space alongside vintage coffee tables by Lou Hodges, side tables from Martin and Brocket, and chaise lounges from 1stDibs upholstered in Holland and Sherry fabric. The careful curation extends to smaller pieces: tables from OG Studio, lamps from Lostine, rugs from Armadillo, and artwork by Niall McClelland create layers of visual interest throughout the room.
The kitchen represents a fundamental shift from 1930s design philosophy, when cooking spaces were relegated to the back of the house. "Even 80 years ago, kitchens were rooms tucked away at the back of the house," explains Shana. "Our kitchen is a real living space, at the heart of the home." The design combines stainless steel, nickel hood details, and cream tones in what the couple describes as "a utilitarian luxury kitchen." George's preference for cooking on a butcher block led to its integration into the solid mahogany island, while the floor features a checkered marble pattern that evokes period charm.
Shana's passion for collecting plates has resulted in hundreds of vintage pieces displayed throughout the kitchen walls. "I love plates – we have hundreds that end up stuck all over the walls. I buy too many," she admits with a laugh. The adjacent breakfast room maintains the 1930s aesthetic with pine paneling that the couple specifically preserved. "We love this rustic aspect that too many people remove from houses to put wallpaper in its place. We adore fully paneled rooms."
The dining room continues the home's emphasis on comfort and extended entertaining. "George and I always insist that the seats be comfortable, so people stay seated for a long time and dinners last for hours," explains Shana. Beyond formal dining, this space doubles as the children's playroom. "On the other side of the photo, where you can't see, there's a giant Barbie house," the couple shares, highlighting the home's dual function as both sophisticated entertainment space and practical family environment.
Upstairs, the bedrooms were originally conceived by Hawes as hotel suites, creating an unusual but successful spatial arrangement. "I think that's what was going through their minds at the time," comments George. "It works because it creates very beautiful spaces – you feel like they're quite large rooms, but they also remain very warm and intimate." The master bedroom showcases this concept perfectly, with its ornate moldings and paneling creating an inviting retreat.
Shana's first purchase for the house was an alabaster pendant light for the master bedroom. "I thought to myself: 'This is exactly what I want,'" she recalls. The room features bedding from Rose Uniacke, pillows in Pierre Frey fabric, a bench from Nickey Kehoe, nightstands from Crump and Kwash, and vintage lamps that complement the family art collection. An Elizabeth Eakins rug and Visual Comfort chandelier with a Rogers and Goffigon shade complete the sophisticated yet comfortable aesthetic.
The master bathroom serves as Shana's personal sanctuary, divided into two parts to accommodate the roof's unique shape and combining wood and ceramic elements. "Every morning, when I escape from my children, I sit on the edge of the bathtub. I put my coffee here, sit down and lock the door – the space is so pleasant," she confides. The bathroom features vintage lighting including an alabaster pendant, vintage chairs in Rogers and Goffigon fabric, Waterworks fixtures, a vanity from Water Monopoly, Fireclay tile, and vintage L7 sconces.
The children's rooms reflect the couple's commitment to creating magical spaces for their family. Their son's room features a bright yellow color scheme chosen to match his childhood obsession with the color, complete with a Blu Dot bed, bedding from Etsy and LL Bean, Schoolhouse Electric sconces, a vintage armchair, and posters from the Alekos Fassianos Museum in Athens. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball's Yellow Ground.
Their daughter's bedroom showcases an equally enchanting design with Pierre Frey wallpaper, vintage American twin beds repainted in Farrow & Ball colors, a library from English Farmhouse Furniture, Melrose Carpet rugs, a vintage Fortuny pendant, and bedding from Ballard and Pottery Barn. "I think when I was little, my mother didn't care at all about my room," jokes Shana. "So I said to myself: 'I'm going to give my daughter everything I always wanted for my room, I'm going to surpass myself.'"
The home's connection to its natural setting remains paramount throughout the design. Windows throughout the house frame views of the verdant surroundings, while the small but charming garden features a tiny hill that reinforces the property's connection to the Hollywood Hills landscape. "It's as if it were written. Like a dream country house. Even though it's in Hollywood," the couple reflects.
Vintage outdoor furniture with Perennials fabric cushions creates comfortable seating areas surrounded by lush greenery, extending the home's welcoming atmosphere into the outdoor spaces. This seamless indoor-outdoor flow exemplifies the California lifestyle that the couple has so successfully captured in their design approach.
The project represents more than just a home renovation – it's a manifestation of Sherwood Kypreos' design philosophy that values spontaneity, comfort, and the thoughtful integration of historical elements with contemporary living needs. Through their own residence, the couple has demonstrated how a 1930s Hollywood Hills home can serve multiple functions: family sanctuary, design showcase, and creative inspiration for their professional practice.
