Matt Duffer, co-creator of the chilling series “Stranger Things,” is known for crafting worlds where viewers wouldn’t want to linger, from eerie upside-down realities to unsettling bunkers. However, when it came to designing his own home in Los Angeles, he sought warmth and comfort. Duffer and his fiancée, Sarah Hindsgaul, turned to a well-regarded design firm to bring their vision to life. The journey to their cozy abode in Los Feliz, a locale known for its historic charm, was filled with serendipitous design encounters.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Designer: Amy Kehoe
Location: Los Angeles, California
Home Style: 1920s Spanish Revival
Client: Matt Duffer and Sarah Hindsgaul
Design Firm: Nickey Kehoe
Initially residing in a Los Angeles apartment deemed unsuitable after a particular intruder incident, Duffer and Hindsgaul were drawn to the idea of purchasing a home. They desired one of those 1920s Spanish houses and found the perfect fit in a five-bedroom 1927 home that cascaded down its hillside location like a fairytale castle. The house’s original interior had been crafted by Amy Kehoe, a designer whose work Duffer admired. Fortuitously, Kehoe agreed to continue her work with the new owners, embracing the home’s whimsical character.
Although the major architectural changes had already been completed by the previous owner, Amy Kehoe’s focus turned to imbuing the space with vibrant colors. Known for incorporating bold palettes, Kehoe found a kindred spirit in Sarah Hindsgaul, whose background as a hair and makeup artist allowed for creative flexibility. Despite some apprehension about venturing beyond her comfort zone, particularly with Kehoe’s choice of blacks and other bold hues, Hindsgaul embraced the artistic journey.
One of the unique design challenges included integrating Duffer’s beloved “Stranger Things” pinball machine into the decor, which Kehoe cleverly incorporated into a sunny corner of a card room. The house eventually became a vibrant tapestry of warm yellows, soft pinks, and bold reds, reflecting the couple’s evolving style. Duffer’s philosophy of trusting talented professionals and giving them the freedom to express their creativity proved fruitful, resulting in a home filled with personality and color.
However, as their family grew, Duffer and Hindsgaul realized they needed more space, leading them to sell their cherished Los Feliz home. The decision to leave their first home came with mixed emotions, but the couple embraced the future with plans to create a new, larger family home, once again enlisting Kehoe’s design expertise. Beyond expanding their living space, Duffer’s collection of pinball machines found new prominence, demonstrating his continued passion for playful nostalgia.
The Los Feliz house held memorable experiences and marked the beginning of a new chapter for Duffer and Hindsgaul. Their shared journey from a cramped bachelor pad to a larger, more personalized family space illustrates both personal and professional growth. With creative and talented collaborators on their side, their new family home promises to be another masterpiece, blending whimsy with functionality and offering a loving environment for their growing clan.
