Former Backgammon Saloon Undergoes Renovation
A former backgammon saloon and a meeting place for Hollywood stars and royalties is currently undergoing renovations under the devoted hands of architect Tim Campbell. The L.A.'s Beverly Crest casa is located next to a rare Luis Barragán fountain.
The 1927, two-storey 5,500 square feet house has a long and rich history. During the 1970s, under the ownership of Douglas Argyle Campbell, a wealthy New Yorker heir and a stock broker, the house entertained the social elite of the area with marathons of backgammon matches, zen sessions and cocktail parties in the company of Scotland's duchess of Argyll, actor David Janssen, designer Tony Duquette and many of their closest friends.
The former informal backgammon club had eclectic design with cosmopolitan inspirations and a mishmash of accessories that included wood paneling, Mexican tile, erotic Indian artworks, suede couches, zebra skin rugs, half closed terrace with a fire place, outdoor pool and indoor Jacuzzi. A red, two-storey height brick wall hid a fountain recognized as one of the last works of the Mexican architect Luis Barragán.
Tim Campbell's mission was to clean up the mess and to reveal the house original Spanish style design while preserving the precious piece of history hidden behind the brick wall. Originally a two bedroom house and a five-car garage, the house latest version has four bedrooms, six bathrooms and a spacious entertaining area, where the current owners, Eugene Leoni and Anthony Brent, can, if they like, to relive the house's partying past and host backgammon tournaments.
 |
