When local restaurateur Steve Vernetti and his wife Joanna decided they needed more space for their growing teens, they turned to David Thompson, a friend and architect who had helped the couple create their beloved Larchmont Italian restaurant, Vernetti. The timing was perfect.
Thompson and his team at Assembledge+ had recently been invited to consider design ideas that would help address LA’s housing crisis by Los Angeles Magazine. Their solution focused on incentivizing homeowners to build additional dwelling units, (ADUs) to help house more people in residential neighborhoods. The Vernetti’s ADU provided a perfect opportunity to test drive Thompson’s concepts.
The stunning result has been featured in several magazine including Dwell, AN Interior Magazine, and Dezeen Magazine.
The Vernettis have lived in their 1916 craftsman style bungalow for more than 20 years and they wanted something that would fit the architectural style of the neighborhood.
As we toured the house and ADU earlier this week with Steve, he was quick to credit Joanna for the major design choices, selection of materials and colors. Â Joanna, a television producer, was also a strong collaborator with Thompson in the redesign of the restaurant. Both projects make maximum use of small, historic spaces.
Steve pointed out the mahogany wood details in the family’s dining room, which inspired the reproduction cabinets in the kitchen, were crafted by Italian carpenters who had come to Los Angeles to work on several other homes in the neighborhood at the time.
In addition to the ADU, the Verenettis created a master bedroom with another bathroom. Â The master bedroom doors lead out to the garden and the stylistically distinct but complimentary ADU. The cost the entire project was under $600,000.
