It’s said that a friend in need is a friend indeed. For JP Richards and Michael Elder, that friend was acclaimed interior designer Joe Lucas. Located at the end of a private cul-de-sac, their 6,100-square-foot Spanish Revival home—built in 1928—needed Lucas’s expert touch.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Location: Los Feliz, Los Angeles
Design: Joe Lucas
Architect: Tim Barber
Furniture: Harbinger, Soho Home
Homeowners: JP Richards and Michael Elder
Photographer: N/A
‘JP grew up in Los Angeles and always dreamed of having a big Spanish house in the hills,’ Lucas recalls. However, the home, although structurally impressive, required significant interior renovation to fulfill that dream.
Lucas remembers the home’s previous design had left it dated and worn. ‘The kitchen was out of date, and the bathrooms were a wreck. It had been poorly renovated in the ’60s and ’70s,’ he says. Despite this, the house had excellent bones—grand windows, original woodwork, and breathtaking views from Pasadena to Santa Monica.
Homeowner Richards, an entertainment industry executive, shared a similar sentiment. ‘We wanted to restore it to its former glory,’ he says.
One of the first tasks was refinishing the floors and applying a fresh coat of crisp white paint throughout the house’s three levels. This simple update immediately breathed new life into the interior.
Once the basics were handled, Lucas enlisted award-winning architect Tim Barber to reimagine key areas like the kitchen and dining room. Barber’s work seamlessly blended modern functionality with the home’s traditional Spanish character.
Lucas then focused on furniture and decor, curating a mix of vintage and custom pieces that echoed the home’s historical feel. A rounded sofa from Harbinger anchored the living room, paired with chairs from Soho Home and live-edge wood tables sourced from France.
‘This was actually the room we tackled last because it could have eaten up the budget for the entire house,’ laughs Lucas.
The entryway featured striking design details: a table from Obsolete, ceramic vessels from Lawson-Fenning, and a staircase chandelier from Apparatus. Each piece was carefully chosen to reflect the home’s unique character.
Richards and Elder even joined Lucas on a few European sourcing trips. ‘I’d tell them: Remember, I get first dibs on anything for my showroom,’ Lucas jokes. ‘But in reality, they were finding amazing pieces for their home—they have great taste!’
The couple’s personal items, like a set of vintage chairs from Elder’s family, further personalized the space.
In addition to Lucas’s design work, the couple announced plans for an important expansion—a nursery—as they prepared to welcome twins, Jack and Vivian, into their lives. ‘From the beginning, they envisioned this home as a place to raise kids,’ says Lucas.
Today, the home is not just a beautifully restored Spanish Revival but a warm, inviting space for the family—completed by their three dogs and young twins—living happily at Casa Vista.
‘This house wouldn’t be the same without Joe,’ Elder affirms.
Location: Los Feliz, Los Angeles
