Shelton Wilder gives her historic midcentury home in Brentwood a much-needed glow-up, preserving the original charm while adding fresh, thoughtful touches.


Black paint, sandblasted wooden
beams, a blond marble sandstone
porch and a front door made in
Texas add warmth and texture to
the exterior of this remodeled home
in Brentwood’s Kenter Canyon. Photographed by
NILS TIMM
Black paint, sandblasted wooden beams, a blond marble sandstone porch and a front door made in Texas add warmth and texture to the exterior of this remodeled home in Brentwood’s Kenter Canyon. Photographed by NILS TIMM

THE PROJECT

Shelton Wilder, luxury realtor and CEO of the Shelton Wilder Group, believes that good design takes time, something evident in the meticulous renovation she recently completed on her family home in Brentwood’s tranquil Kenter Canyon neighborhood. Originally built in 1962, the 4-story home was renovated in the ‘90s and hadn’t been touched since. “We aimed to preserve the clean lines and simplicity characteristic of midcentury style while incorporating contemporary elements that enhance functionality and aesthetic appeal,” says Wilder, who tackled one floor at a time before transforming the home’s exterior. “The goal was to achieve a design that seamlessly combines the timeless elegance of midcentury architecture with a fresh, modern flair.”


The living room
features furnishings
found at vintage
stores throughout
L.A. including
MidcenturyLA, Pop
Up Home, Sunbeam
Vintage in Pasadena
and Urban Americana
in Long Beach. Photographed by
NILS TIMM
The living room features furnishings found at vintage stores throughout L.A. including MidcenturyLA, Pop Up Home, Sunbeam Vintage in Pasadena and Urban Americana in Long Beach. Photographed by NILS TIMM

THE HISTORY

The Elfman family was the prior owner. “Blossom Elfman was a writer, and her sons Danny and Rick are well-known artists,” she explains. “Danny is a world-renowned composer, singer, songwriter and musician. We like to think his 1980s band, Oingo Boingo, was started in the basement. Rick Elfman is a talented screenwriter and director. We imagined our own boys growing up in the creative pedigree,” adds Wilder, who lives with her husband, Clark McCutchen, sons Beau and Lane, and Buster, their 110-pound golden retriever.


The sleek office
space inspires
creativity and
productivity alike. Photographed by
NILS TIMM
The sleek office space inspires creativity and productivity alike. Photographed by NILS TIMM

THE INSPIRATION

With its tranquil canyon setting, scenic views and lush surroundings, Kenter Canyon inspired the home’s look and feel, as did its midcentury roots. “The house sits on a hill, surrounded by trees,” says Wilder, who installed Vermont white oak throughout the home. “The emphasis on wood made it feel like a tree house.”


In the dining room, a
refinished vintage table
takes center stage next
to a cozy fireplace,
blending style and
warmth effortlessly. Art
by Shawna Ankenbrandt
lines the walls. Photographed by
NILS TIMM
In the dining room, a refinished vintage table takes center stage next to a cozy fireplace, blending style and warmth effortlessly. Art by Shawna Ankenbrandt lines the walls. Photographed by NILS TIMM

THE PLAN

“The design plan was simply a face-lift—of every inch of the house,” Wilder shares. “We replaced what existed with something beautiful and functional; for example, the basement floor, lovingly referred to as ‘The Dungeon,’ was upgraded into a gym with a Pilates machine, Smith rack, treadmill and yoga space. We used the same philosophy on every floor in the house, upgrading what existed and matching it throughout.”


The kitchen’s La
Cornue stove blends
beautifully with the
white oak cabinetry
and textured kitchen
island for a welcoming,
sophisticated ambiance. Photographed by
NILS TIMM
The kitchen’s La Cornue stove blends beautifully with the white oak cabinetry and textured kitchen island for a welcoming, sophisticated ambiance. Photographed by NILS TIMM

THE DETAILS

Designed for relaxation and entertaining, the living room is the heart of the home. Wilder wanted an open, airy space, so she kept the large windows in place to let in natural light. Furnishings are a mix of contemporary and vintage pieces, including finds from MidcenturyLA, Pop Up Home and more. The ivory checkered rug from Modern Rugs LA ties the room together. “We took care to ensure that the layout promotes easy flow between the kitchen, dining room and living room,” she says.

The dining room—an extension of the living room—features a dining table that came with the house, which Wilder had refurbished and the seats recovered. “We opted for a large dining table that can comfortably accommodate family dinners and gatherings,” she shares.


Featuring linens from Tumbleweed & Dandelion, a rug from
Modern Rugs LA, artwork by Gray Malin and decor from Jenni Kayne, the peaceful
primary bedroom is the homeowners’ sanctuary. Photographed by
NILS TIMM
Featuring linens from Tumbleweed & Dandelion, a rug from Modern Rugs LA, artwork by Gray Malin and decor from Jenni Kayne, the peaceful primary bedroom is the homeowners’ sanctuary. Photographed by NILS TIMM

The kitchen is Wilder’s favorite room in the house, and for good reason. Grounded by 11-inch rift white oak floors, the space features Taj Mahal Quartzite countertops, a La Cornue stove, custom cabinetry and more. “Every element, from the custom cabinetry to the Sub- Zero appliances, was chosen to create a high-end yet welcoming atmosphere.”

Designed to be a serene retreat, the primary bedroom is an oasis of calm for Wilder and McCutchen. “We created a space that is luxurious yet comfortable, emphasizing clean lines and natural material,” she says. “The white oak herringbone floors bring warmth and texture, while custom millwork adds a refined touch,” she adds. “Furnished with a mix of vintage and contemporary pieces that reflect a timeless aesthetic, the room’s neutral color palette enhances the sense of calm. Clark’s collection of vintage French movie posters from his travels to Cannes, along with other curated art pieces, adds a personal and artistic flair to the space.”


The moody powder room exudes sophistication with its bold contrasts and luxurious
finishes. Photographed by
NILS TIMM
The moody powder room exudes sophistication with its bold contrasts and luxurious finishes. Photographed by NILS TIMM

THE OUTCOME

Covid—and all the associated delays— stretched the project timeline to five years from start to finish. But it was worth the wait. “Despite the high-end materials and attention to detail,” says Wilder, “the home remains approachable and livable, radiating a welcoming and creative atmosphere perfect for family life.”

Design Details

Type

Single-family home

Location

Brentwood

Designers

Shelton Wilder with

Clark McCutchen and

Mandana Sisco

sheltonwilder.com

Architect

Rebecca Freise, Station-F

station-f.com

Builder

Carlos Sandoval, Carlos

Sandoval Construction

323.896.3563

Landscape Architects

Adrian Sharp, Sharp Landscape

Design Studio

sharplandscapedesign.com

Emily Weber, Balanced

Ground Design

balancedgrounddesign.com

Carpenter

Alex Sarmiento,

Cabinet Gallery

626.855.0033

RESOURCES

3 Day Blinds

Window coverings throughout

3dayblinds.com

Dunn-Edwards

Paint throughout

dunnedwards.com

La Cornue

Kitchen stove

lacornueusa.com

MidcenturyLA

Vintage furnishings throughout

midcenturyla.com

Modern Rugs LA

Rugs throughout

modernrugsla.com

Pop Up Home

Vintage furnishings throughout

popuphome.com

Sunbeam Vintage

Vintage furnishings throughout

sunbeamvintage.com

Tumbleweed & Dandelion

Decor throughout

tumbleweedanddandelion.com

Urban Americana

Vintage furnishings throughout

urbanamericana.com

Vermont Plank Flooring

Flooring throughout

vermontplankflooring.com