Soaring 39 stories above Los Angeles, offering sweeping panoramas of the local golf course and the vast Pacific Ocean, this opulent Beverly Hills penthouse, meticulously crafted by The Scale Collective, redefines luxury living. Its design philosophy deliberately pivots from a grandiose spectacle to an intimate sanctuary, achieved through a thoughtful curation of materials. The initial spark for this transformation came from beauty entrepreneur Darya Pishevar's admiration for Pierre Paulin's iconic Pumpkin Chair, a subtle yet significant detail that guided the project away from the conventional sleekness of high-rise interiors towards a more grounded and inviting atmosphere.
In response to this vision, Sara Alexander of The Scale Collective meticulously built the design around two distinctive vintage pieces discovered in Los Angeles showrooms: the charming Little Petra Chair, upholstered in plush shearling, and the elegant Marenco Sofa. These foundational elements set the tone for an interior that embraces texture and comfort, transforming the penthouse into a haven of tranquility.
Unlike typical glass skyscrapers that often emphasize their verticality with reflective surfaces and cool, stark palettes, this interior takes a markedly different approach. It embraces rich, tactile materials such as shearling, hair-on-hide, boucle, and mohair. These fibers are chosen for their ability to absorb both light and sound, effectively softening the sharp lines and expansive feel of the space. The integration of walnut and oak joinery further contributes to this sense of warmth, offering a structural integrity that feels comforting rather than imposing, eschewing the heaviness often associated with traditional paneling. This strategic layering of textures creates an ethereal quality, an effect less about lightness and more about the ingenious way these materials temper and diffuse the brilliant California sunlight that floods through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The subtle, neutral color palette from Farrow & Ball complements these textural elements, enhancing the overall serene and inviting ambiance. Sara Alexander's approach extended to custom collaborations with renowned Los Angeles showrooms, including The Future Perfect, Stahl & Band, and Garde. These partnerships allowed her to precisely calibrate proportions and select bespoke pieces that perfectly fit the volume and aesthetic of the penthouse. A prime example is the HAOS 20.01 armchair, one of only three globally produced in leather, chosen not for its rarity but for how its unique form and upholstery texture enrich the overarching design narrative. Similarly, a custom-designed chandelier from Apparatus Studio was commissioned not only to address the apartment's specific electrical infrastructure limitations but also to maintain the project's characteristic refined restraint and understated elegance.
Ultimately, the penthouse embodies a sophisticated balance between architectural grandeur and personal comfort, creating a residence that feels both luxurious and deeply personal. The careful selection of each element, from the soft furnishings to the bespoke lighting, culminates in a space where every detail contributes to a cohesive and inviting environment. The result is a truly distinctive Beverly Hills penthouse, a testament to thoughtful design that prioritizes enduring comfort and timeless style.