This large Beverly Hills property was not only designed with a Chinese influence (a team of Chinese artisans were brought in to construct it in the style of a traditional Suzhou country house), it has a 1.2ha of formal Chinese gardens, a tennis court, and a viewing pavilion, too. In the city, that is definitely a rarity.
The homeowner, Robbie Shipp, came to appreciate Chinese culture through his time in China on business. The couple commissioned Ryan Gordon Jackson, who created a contemporary residence with intricate fretwork windows, carved doors and ornamental beams.
The living room fireplace and coffee table are made from the same dark marble, which visually ties in with the dark stone floors and dark stained-timber ceilings.
The kitchen and morning room form one large space, allowing for a large- scale kitchen as well as a more intimate family-style lounge and entertainment area within the same zone.
Part of the clients’ brief was to showcase their art collection, such as works by contemporary artists such as Doug Aitken, Peter Alexander and Roy Lichtenstein. “The pairing of old and new, coupled with the art, was the essence of what we strove to capture for the clients,” shares Ryan. His approach hinged on balancing the Chinese architectural style with a cleaner palette.
“Chinese technique and execution have stood the test of time for good reason and I find those qualities often subtly referenced in my own work,” he reveals. A Le Pentagon chandelier by Jonathan Browning Studios anchors the dining room, striking a dialogue with a Gordon dining table below.