Midcentury SoCal Gem Restored by Design Trio

Darren Brown, an interior designer, along with entertainment executives John McILwee and Bill Damaschke, has revitalized a collection of notable midcentury residences in Southern California. Their journey began in 2002 with the restoration of Garcia House, a stunning 2,600-square-foot structure featuring stained glass, designed by John Lautner in the early 1960s for composer Russell Garcia and his spouse Gina, situated on 60-foot concrete caissons overlooking Mulholland Drive. Collaborating with Marmol Radziner, they reinforced the parabolic roof, polished the lava walls, and preserved the exterior staircase. Following this, they transformed a 6,300-square-foot estate near Palm Springs, originally constructed for Gerald and Betty Ford post-1976 election, designed by Welton Becket & Associates, enhancing it with modern windows and a kitchen while maintaining elements like Betty's portrait.