As the founder of O’Connor Estates, Claire O’Connor specialises in restoring historic homes around Los Angeles and matching them with owners who will cherish their mid-century charms. She puts her drive down to a childhood spent moving constantly, ‘so home became the one thing I wanted to get right’.
When she got into the real-estate business, she saw how often LA’s architectural history was erased in the name of newness; preserving and elevating these houses became her way of safeguarding the city’s essence. ‘This work is never about volume – it is about legacy and stewardship,’ she says.
In this endeavour, for several years, she has worked with design duo Ome Dezin, whose founders Joelle Kutner and Jesse Rudolph share her love for LA’s characterful properties. ‘They approach the architecture like a story that already exists,’ Claire says. ‘Restoration, for me, is not nostalgia. It is honouring a home’s identity, finding the perfect partner to bring that vision to life and inviting it to speak more clearly.’
When Claire found this 1950s Mediterranean-style house in Outpost Estates in the Hollywood Hills, she knew it was crying out for their treatment. The neighbourhood is a mix of 1920s Spanish, Mediterranean-style and California Modern homes set among winding roads and mature trees, and with breathtaking views. ‘The house had a quiet soul to it,’ says Claire. ‘The way it lived among the treetops, the natural light, the indoor and outdoor flow… it already knew what it wanted to be. Our job was simply to listen.’
The property had previously been through an ‘unfortunate’ renovation in the 1990s. While the bones remain strong, the kitchen had been reduced to a tight galley that felt awkward and uninviting. Jesse and Joelle’s first job was to introduce windows wherever possible to make the rooms feel bright and generous.
Their approach is never overly deferential, focusing on highlighting original architectural details while reworking any areas that would benefit from a fresh perspective. ‘For example, we kept the large, arched windows, while designing new interior doors,’ Jesse explains.
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Joelle adds: ‘Our starting point was a feeling – a desire to create a serene, grounded home that balanced heritage with modern refinement.’ The materials palette established a dialogue between the traditional – timber beams, weathered terracotta tiles, creamy-white linen curtains and plaster walls – and the sleek futurism of stainless steel, glass and contemporary lighting. ‘This balance allows the home to feel both rooted in its past and fully at ease in the present without ever compromising the integrity of its original design language,’ says Joelle.
Jesse and Joelle worked with designer and content creator Marco Zamora on the scheme, which feels relaxed and unfussy yet refined. ‘The three of us curated a collection of furnishings and colours that speaks softly yet intentionally – warm neutrals, sun-washed yellows – and pieces that feel collected rather than staged,’ says Jesse.
Vintage furniture from local store Amsterdam Modern sits alongside pieces the pair have sourced over the years, with bedding from Cultiver, a sofa from Sixpenny, rugs from Lulu and Georgia, and a mix of vintage and contemporary lighting – most notably the Rose Uniacke sconces in the kitchen.
Marco’s favourite element is the custom interior doors. ‘We designed them to echo the ones often found in historic Los Angeles architecture, incorporating traditional rosettes and refined panelling,’ he says. ‘They’re a subtle detail that brings elegance and charm.’
The house has now found its next steward, and Claire remembers the moment her matchmaking paid off. ‘Within seconds, the buyer was at a loss for words, in disbelief that this home existed and could be theirs.’
Claire’s experience of losing her own home in the Palisades Fire added a deeper dimension to this project. ‘It made clear how much memory, energy and identity a home holds,’ she says. ‘Rebuilding is not about replacing a structure. It is about restoring a sense of belonging. My work has become more personal, intentional and devoted to protecting the soul of every property we touch.’ omedezin.com; oconnorestates.com; @want.zamora
