A Look Inside the Home of Lighting Designer Marjorie Skouras

A Look Inside the Home of Lighting Designer Marjorie Skouras

Name: Marjorie Skouras

Location: Hollywood, California

Size: 3200 square feet

Years lived in: 24 years

A few weeks ago I was driving up the canyon to go for an afternoon hike. I literally had to pull over when I saw Marjorie's place. It was a very interesting looking house with a life-sized taxidermy figure staring back at me through the window!

I was in for a very special treat when I met the owner, Marjorie. She is so warm and welcoming — it felt like I knew her for a long time. Marjorie is a fantastic designer who knows how to make a house feel like a home. Her decor is very personal, and her daughter even helped design her own bathroom, down to picking the fantastic coral paint.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: My personal style is completely uninhibited — professionally we exercise a modicum of restraint!

Inspiration: Whatever makes me smile... It changes weekly as I rearrange things and we add to the mix all the time. I suppose that I would say that I am most inspired by my time spent in Europe — France, England, Italy and Greece — classical in nature, but brought into our times through the use of colors and unexpected materials.

Favorite Elements: The ultra cozy banquets in the den; they were designed the same size as twin beds and work both for adult lounging and movie viewing as well as for slumber parties. They look very rich and sexy, and the genius is that the seat cushions are upholstered in ultrasuede, so they are virtually dog and child proof — you simply clean them with a sponge.

Biggest Challenge: Spending 3 weeks in the den with my husband, child and the dog while we were remodeling — seriously! From a design standpoint, the house has a fabulous layout and flow — very traditional, with great bones and scale. I did paint the dining room four different colors before deciding on the gold, though. I am sure that it will be a different color in 2 – 3 years.

What Friends Say: You need a lot of time to process it all... I think that it has a tremendous entertainment factor my 12 year old, India. Friends particularly love all the taxidermy.

Biggest Embarrassment: I can honestly say that nothing embarrasses me — if there were to be anything, I would change it immediately!

Proudest DIY: Our "Sea Wall" in the breakfast room. India and I started it for Mother's Day 2011. The centerpiece is my husband Bruno's turtle (40 years old — would never buy one now!) It is a work in progress — we drive up and down the coast several times a year and always stop in Morro Bay for a visit to The Shell Shop to find new pieces to add. The message in a bottle is in an Ouzo Bottle from a marvelous tavern on the island of Leros in Greece where we had a perfect dinner last September.

Biggest Indulgence: Eric Goulder's sculpture "Bloom," which was my engagement gift from my husband — he is divine (both Bloom and the husband)!

Best Advice: My husband's — do not live in the house during the remodel! My best advice to nervous clients is "it's only paint — you can always change it!"

Dream Sources:

Soooo many...

• My Studio, of course
  
• The Silver Vaults in London
  

Resources of Note:

APPLIANCES

• Circa 1945 O'Keefe and Merritt six burner, double oven, double broiler beauty!

HARDWARE

FURNITURE

ACCESSORIES

LIGHTING

PAINT

FLOORING

• Solar Antique Tile in New York

RUGS & CARPETS

TILES & STONE

WINDOW TREATMENTS

ARTWORK

Thanks, Marjorie!

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Original article and pictures take www.apartmenttherapy.com site