A PATTERN FROM THE PAST: INSIDE THE OVIATT'S BEDROOM RESTORATION
As the restoration of The Oviatt continues under the direction of interior designer Adam Greco of Greco Deco, one of our favorite parts of the process has been watching the details come together. And, of course, getting to share them with you.
With the building's centennial approaching in 2028, the work is an opportunity to care for a remarkable piece of Los Angeles history while preparing the Penthouse for all the celebrations still to come.
The bedroom has been an especially exciting chapter. Between its original furnishings, beautifully detailed woodwork, and the recreation of a fabric pattern preserved in historic photographs, there's quite a bit to talk about.
A little old, a little new, and a lot of attention to detail
The bedroom's restoration has brought together an incredible team of craftspeople, whose work includes refurbishing original furniture, carefully repairing and refinishing the room's original woodwork, bed, and nightstands, and recovering and reinstalling original light fixtures.
New wall fabric and custom window treatments have also been introduced with the same consideration for the room's original architecture. And while some of the room's original features could be recovered and restored, others required a little more detective work.
And that's where one of our favorite details of this restoration comes in.
Bringing back a pattern from 1930 - The Oviatt's Bedroom Restoration Process
One of the bedroom's most distinctive original features was its Art Deco floral wall fabric, visible throughout the room in archival photographs dating to 1930.
Although no surviving fragments of the original fabric were available, those photographs offered a remarkable starting point. With careful examination and historical insight from Marc Chevalier, Adam and his team set out to reconstruct the original pattern.
The Oviatt Penthouse Bedroom - Art Deco Original Furniture - Los Angeles Times Photographic Archives
And because the archival photographs were black and white, recreating the design also presented an opportunity to explore color while remaining faithful to its original character.
To accomplish this, the team collaborated with Maria Suarez of EFS Designs, a studio specializing in luxurious hand-printed fabrics who are dedicated to preserving the art of traditional printing.
The recreated pattern was printed in light bronze ink onto a simple chintz in an unusual lavender-grey shade, sourced from Marybeth Brown, and the result is a beautiful example of how historic research and traditional craftsmanship can work together, returning a defining decorative element to the bedroom nearly a century after it first appeared in photographs.
Wall Fabric - The Penthouse Suite - EFS Designs
A room with plenty of memories still ahead
As much as we love seeing the original details return, this restoration isn't simply about looking backward.
The Penthouse has always been a place for gathering, celebrating, and making memories. Watching the bedroom regain its character, light, and energy is especially rewarding when we think about all the people who will continue to enjoy it.
After all, the purpose of preserving a place like The Oviatt is to make sure its history remains part of its future.
The Oviatt - Getting Ready Suite Before - Judy & Jonathan - KLV Photography
The Oviatt - Getting Ready Suite After - Jessica & Anthony - KLV Photography
More to come
As we approach the building's centennial in 2028, there's still plenty of work ahead, and we're looking forward to sharing more of it.
From the craftsmanship behind each restored detail to the discoveries and little surprises along the way, we'll continue taking you behind the scenes as Adam Greco and his team prepare the Penthouse for its next century.
Stay tuned. There's more to come.
