Tour Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello's Dream House

Architectural Digest

January 23, 2019 at 10:40 AM

Paul Downs and Lucia Aniello arranged 150 viewings over three years to finally pin down their 1930s Andalusian-style gem they now call home. “It’s our Hollywood dream house,” Downs says.

The home was designed by architect C.S. Arganbright. Arganbright built a number of notable homes in the L.A. area before his career was tragically cut short; he died in a car crash on the way home from his honeymoon.

Downs and Aniello's entryway features a custom red lamp from <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://entler.co/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Entler Studios;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Entler Studios</a> and antique jugs from Morocco

The couple designed and sourced the materials for the coffee tables. The mercury glass orbs are from a Paris flea market; the green stool is by <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.thefutureperfect.com/pressed-stool-6-oil.html" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Floris Wubben;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Floris Wubben</a>; and the velvet lounge chair, which Paul calls “our star and favorite thing,” is by <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.thefutureperfect.com/elysia-lounge.html" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Luca Nichetto for De La Espada;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Luca Nichetto for De La Espada</a>.

A Juliet balcony adds charm to the stairwell and a vintage '70s C-print rests atop a 17th-century chest on stand. They found the vintage <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.cassina.com/en/designer/mario-bellini" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Mario Bellini for Cassina;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Mario Bellini for Cassina</a> leather loveseat at a Pasadena antique store. “It was in a pile, with stuff on top of it and underneath it,” Aniello says. “We weren’t sure it was actually a signed piece. Then when we got in the car and saw it was a Cassina, we were like . . .” Downs says. “We got it for a fricking steal,” Aniello finishes. The painting next to the arched entryway is entitled "Pink Olana" by Daniel Heidkamp.

Downs and Aniello met at an improv comedy class in their early 20s and soon discovered they both had an ingrained love of all things interior design thanks to parents who were antiques-obsessed.

The couple fully renovated the kitchen, which was 40s-style, down to the bright yellow linoleum flooring. But they kept its original stove.

The stuffed meats, one of many playful winks in their home, are hand-made by <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://www.yukianddaughters.com/new-gallery/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Yuki & Daughters;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Yuki & Daughters</a>. The cabinets are painted "Green Smoke" by <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://us.farrow-ball.com/green%20smoke/paint-colours/farrow-ball/fcp-product/100047" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Farrow & Ball;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Farrow & Ball</a>.

The portrait gallery at the top of the stairwell has been assembled from diverse sources: Paul’s parents, antique stores, and a Paris flea market. “These are all our ancestors,” Aniello jokes. “Welcome to our little Hogwarts home,” Downs adds.

The home office which Paul and Lucia, who together comprise the comedy team <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://paulilu.com/about" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Paulilu;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Paulilu</a>, use as a writers’ room. The scissor chair is by <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.1stdibs.com/creators/pierre-jeanneret/furniture/seating/lounge-chairs/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Pierre Jeanneret;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Pierre Jeanneret</a>.

A purple hand chair in the couple's office—naturally—serves as a regular conversation piece for guests.

Downs and Aniello custom-designed the bed with extra room at the end so that their comforter could hang gently instead of being smashed in. The pink and green bedside carafe is hand-blown by <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://annakarlin.com/furniture/product/bedside-carafe/" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Anna Karlin;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Anna Karlin</a>.

Also in the bedroom, artwork hanging over the bench is <em>Aller Retour</em> (2008) by Günther Förg. The skirted club chair is by <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.thefutureperfect.com/dimore-studio-poltroncina-068.html" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Dimore Studio;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Dimore Studio</a>.

Lucia’s dressing room, formerly a sunroom, was enclosed after the house was built. The copper lamp is by <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.giancarlovalle.com/items/ron-rezek-copper-lamp" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Ron Rezek;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Ron Rezek</a>.

The seafoam bathroom tile is original from the 1930s.

Aloe blooms in their backyard garden, which also features aeoniums and bird of paradise.

The couple sourced pieces from Paris flea markets, L.A. design stores, and everywhere in between

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