Blank Canvas Transformed: A Los Angeles Penthouse Sanctuary

A young beauty entrepreneur’s LA penthouse was transformed into a serene, feminine sanctuary with timeless style

When Darya Pishevar, a young beauty entrepreneur and art collector, moved from the East Coast to Los Angeles, she envisioned more than a home. She wanted a sanctuary: airy, feminine, and welcoming, with the ability to entertain friends and family, and to inspire her creative work. The blank 39th-floor penthouse overlooking the rolling greenery of the Los Angeles Country Club and distant ocean became the canvas for her dream.

The living space blends airy, feminine elegance with approachable, everyday functionality

Design Beginnings

Sara Alexander and her team at The Scale Collective, a boutique interior design firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area, were tasked with creating an entirely new design direction. “Darya wanted serene, soft, feminine but modern and approachable interiors,” says Alexander. Early inspirations included the sculptural Pumpkin Chair by Pierre Paulin, which set the tone for a balance between playful art and refined furnishings.

Sunlight pours through the penthouse, highlighting textures, furnishings, and art with natural warmth

A Layered, Textured Approach

The interiors strike a delicate balance between Southern California’s relaxed, sunlit style and the understated elegance of European chic, as if the penthouse were a Parisian pied-à-terre. The designers employed a neutral, warm palette of shearling, boucle, wool, linens, velvets, and mohair. Strategic pops of colour in the artwork bring energy to the serene surroundings, ensuring the home feels both approachable and sophisticated.

Art and design converge to bring personality, colour, and life into this serene penthouse

Curated Art and Furniture

From the Marenco sofa and Little Petra chair to limited-edition pieces like the 20.01 armchair by HAOS - one of only three made in leather worldwide - the furniture reflects a thoughtful curation of form and function. Lighting and accessories, including bespoke chandeliers from Apparatus, complement the sculptural furnishings while respecting the limited electrical layout of the high-rise.

Spaces Designed to Flow

Alexander highlights the bedroom as a personal favourite: a sacred retreat bathed in golden-hour light, layered with warm textures and accentuated by bold mural wallpaper that feels like a painted masterpiece.

Layers of texture and neutral tones create a warm, inviting living space high above the city

In the living and dining areas, low-profile furnishings, sculptural shapes, and carefully layered textures create a harmonious flow, allowing both relaxation and conversation to flourish without competing for attention.

Curated furniture and art transform each room into a space that feels both elevated and lived-in

A Penthouse with Personality

Despite logistical challenges - such as selecting items while the owner was already living in the space and dealing with availability delays - the team adapted creatively, often discovering solutions that elevated the original vision. “The space had to feel lived-in yet elevated, inspiring yet comfortable,” says Alexander.

Every piece in the apartment is curated to balance comfort, style, and sculptural beauty

From curated artwork to one-of-a-kind furniture, every element tells a story of personality, place, and craft. The penthouse now embodies a perfect marriage of light, texture, and art - a home that is as much a sanctuary as it is a stage for creativity.

A Sky-High Home for Everyday Life

Spread over 2,600 square feet with two bedrooms and three bathrooms, this penthouse is a masterclass in layered, approachable luxury. High above the city, with sweeping views from downtown LA to the ocean, it captures the essence of Southern California living while nodding to the sophistication of European interiors - a home designed for both everyday life and extraordinary moments.