Set in the heart of Beverly Hills, this 10,000-square-foot residence channels the allure of an 18th-century French chateau — despite having been built in the 1980s. Architecturally defined by symmetry, double-height ceilings and classical detailing, the home has been thoughtfully reimagined by Gianpiero Gaglione Interior Design into a sophisticated yet inviting expression of European chic layered with California glamour.
“When I joined the project, the home was very much in need of a refresh,” says interior designer Gianpiero Gaglione. The owners — entrepreneurs in property and tech — had lived there for nearly 20 years. “Beneath the dated visage, I could see the potential for magnificence and really worked hard to create something that feels sophisticated and classic, yet with a clean contemporary feel that resonated with the owners.”
Rather than dramatically altering the architecture, Gaglione chose to work with its inherent strengths. The home’s symmetry and soaring ceilings allowed structural changes to remain minimal. Instead, applied finishes, refined lighting and a largely custom furniture scheme delivered transformation without sacrificing authenticity.
The creative concept rested on three pillars: understated luxury, a reimagined classic, and chic elegance. The intention was never excess for its own sake, but subtle grandeur achieved through materiality and restraint. Contemporary interventions — blackened metal-framed windows, modern lighting and curated art — sit comfortably against traditional timber panelling and classical proportions.
The owners had envisioned a home reminiscent of a Parisian apartment — effortless yet expressive, artistic yet composed. Gaglione, an admirer of French designers Jean Royère and Paul Dupré-Lafon, infused the interiors with that sensibility. The result is a layered mix of contemporary, vintage and bespoke pieces that feel collected rather than staged.
The colour palette is deliberately low in saturation. Soft olive greens, sand tones and a dark burgundy that almost reads as black create depth without heaviness. These hues are set against solid hardwood parquet flooring, silk wallpapers and expanses of marble — including Italian Bardiglio grey and luminous Thassos white. Brass, onyx, leather and glass add refinement, while velvets and textured fabrics introduce warmth.
In the great room — designed to host 20 to 30 guests — the layout was fundamentally rethought. The bar was relocated to the centre of the space, and the seating arrangement shifted accordingly, creating a more engaging and cohesive environment. Behind the bar, two central drinks shelves separate to reveal a concealed television, allowing the room to transition effortlessly between formal entertaining and relaxed evenings.
The bar itself is a sculptural highlight. Its curved marble portal appears seamless, yet the illusion was achieved by fabricators at Stoneland who cut the stone into segments and eased the edges so that it reads as fluid and continuous. Inside, the ceiling was hand-applied with silver leaf by California Wall Design. “It’s a full cove ceiling that curves in multiple directions, so not something that can be done with wallpaper, but rather only something that is hand-applied, piece by piece,” Gaglione explains.
Custom design became essential throughout the project. The scale of the home made sourcing proportionally appropriate furniture difficult, prompting Gaglione to design many pieces himself. The fireplace — nearly seven feet tall — was milled from a single block of green stone weighing over 450 kilograms. It required six people to manoeuvre it into position. Above it hangs an antique mirror sourced years ago from France by the homeowner, anchoring the room in authentic European heritage.
Lighting plays a defining role in the home’s atmosphere. “I insisted on low level lighting throughout. At night it is truly magical,” Gaglione confesses. The effect is clean and elegant, classical in detail yet distinctly modern in mood. Spaces glow rather than glare, reinforcing a sense of calm.
Across its five bedrooms, expansive communal rooms and custom wine cellar, the home balances grandeur with flow. “Our home is so detailed yet it still breathes and flows, giving it a feeling of calmness and peace,” the homeowners say.
What emerges is not a pastiche of French design, nor a stereotypical California mansion, but a thoughtful synthesis of both. It is a reimagined classic — rooted in European sophistication, softened by West Coast ease, and tailored for contemporary living
Credits
Interior design: Gianpiero Gaglione Interior Design, Instagram @gg_i.d
Photos: Pablo Enriquez (Instagram @pablo.enriquez)
Production: Karine Monié (Instagram @karinemonie)
