DESIGN | A Modern Hacienda- CULTIVER- USA

DESIGN

A Modern Hacienda

No strangers to transforming tired homes into inviting spaces, design couple Whitney and Carlos of Working Holiday Studio were in need of more space for their growing family. Soon they found Hacienda Granada, named after the LA suburb, and they quickly set about renovating. Their latest project combines the style of a Mexican hacienda with their signature pared back warmth via plaster, handmade bricks, archways, and as Carlos apty says “things that come from the earth”. Take the tour.

Tell us a bit about yourselves and what you do?

We are Working Holiday Studio, a multidisciplinary creative studio based in LA founded and my wife Whitney Brown and I. I’m from a marketing background and Whitney from fashion but we are both entrepreneurs. Working Holiday was born out of passion and wanting to try something new.

How would you describe the design ethos and aesthetic of Working Holiday Studio?

I would say modern, simple, clean, warm and timeless.

"Working Holiday was born out of passion and wanting to try something new."

Tell us about Hacienda Granada? What’s behind the name? Who lives there?

This is our new home. We bought it because we were about to have another baby and realized we were going to need a bit more space.We wanted the home to feel somewhat like an old Mexican/Spanish Hacienda but with a more modern vibe to it. It’s located in Granada Hills, a suburb of Los Angeles, hence the name.

What architecture and design styles are you inspired by?

I think we often describe our style as an eclectic mix between Japanese, Scandinavian and Mexican. We love architects such as Luis Barragan or Tadao Ando.

What are your favorite materials and textures to work with?

I think we both resonate with natural materials and textures, things that come from the earth — wood, stone, etc.

What makes a house feel like a home to you?

First and foremost living in it (laughs)! But in all seriousness I do think that we design spaces that as we live in them we start to modify and adjust for our everyday lives and the more we live in them, the more ‘homey’ they feel. I think you do need a solid foundation to get to that point, and by now we know what we like and need — a great cozy couch, a nice comfy bed and great linens of course!