From the Archive: ‘Will & Grace’ Creator Max Mutchnick Shows Us Around His Beverly Hills Tudor
This article originally appeared in the May 2012 issue of ELLE DECOR. For more stories from our archive, subscribe to ELLE DECOR All Access.
Erik Hyman and Max Mutchnick’s Tudor-style mansion in Beverly Hills used to belong to Pete Sampras. During his Grand Slam reign, the tennis star practiced on the championship court on the property. “It’s tragically underused,” Mutchnick admits. “In the shadow of Mr. Sampras, we don’t feel worthy.” Today, the court serves another athletic purpose, as a tricycle racetrack for the couple’s three-year-old twin daughters, Evan and Rose.
Even before Sampras, the estate had celebrity chops. It was built in the 1930s for the son of John Clum, a federal agent who captured Geronimo and was a close friend of Wyatt Earp. The current homeowners work in L.A.’s most famous business: Hyman is an entertainment lawyer, and Mutchnick is a writer and producer who co-created the hit TV series Will & Grace. Even their decorator, Melinda Ritz, has fame in her blood: Her father was one of the Ritz Brothers, a comedy trio that starred in such films as The Goldwyn Follies.
What attracted the pair to the property in the first place was what they call “the backyard.” Renovated with the help of landscape designer William Shapiro, the grounds feature huge old-growth trees, an oval pool, and a tropical garden.
The inside of the house was another story. “It didn’t function very well,” says architectural designer Tim Campbell, who handled the renovation. He removed two staff bedrooms, a staircase, and a corridor to create a family room that’s adjacent to a spectacular sunroom—a covered porch that was enclosed by the Samprases and retains its original brick flooring.
Brightening up the place was their main concern. “It was dark and heavy-looking,” says Hyman. “We wanted a light, crisp, urban home—a little edgy but comfortable.” Campbell’s solution was simple: He painted the dark walnut paneling white.
When it came to the decor, there was never a question of working with anyone but Ritz. Neither she nor Mutchnick can remember just how many houses they’ve done together (six or seven). Their first meeting was in 1996, when Ritz interviewed for the position of set decorator on Mutchnick’s debut sitcom, Boston Common. Since then, she’s worked on almost every TV show he’s produced. “Melinda and I understand each other to the point where we don’t have to say much. I trust her implicitly,” says Mutchnick. “She always gets it right.”
Sunroom
The steel shelving is antique, the light fixture is by Ames Ingham, and the sawhorse table is vintage.
Living Room
The sofas are by Montauk Sofa, the ottoman is by Ralph Lauren Home, the chairs are from Holly Hunt, and the tables are Biedermeier style. The mantel, which holds antique leather books and gold Pampaloni bowls, is flanked by African mahogany reliefs found at a Paris flea market; the rugs are Turkish, and the coffered ceiling was inspired by the home’s original architectural details.
Living Room
The banquette is upholstered in a Loro Piana linen, the painting is from the estate of Bill Blass, and the Bavarian staghorn table holds souvenirs from Africa; the sculpture is by Joel Shapiro, and the Moroccan rug is vintage.
Pergola
Chairs from Maison Midi surround an elm dining table.
Living Room
The sofas are by Montauk Sofa, the ottoman is by Ralph Lauren Home, the chairs are from Holly Hunt, and the tables are Biedermeier style. The mantel, which holds antique leather books and gold Pampaloni bowls, is flanked by African mahogany reliefs found at a Paris flea market; the rugs are Turkish, and the coffered ceiling was inspired by the home’s original architectural details.
Dining Room
The vintage French dining table is paired with chairs by Soane, and the ceiling is covered in silk; a Herb Ritts photograph hangs above a Christofle server that was used in the film Titanic. The cabinet and chandelier are custom made, and the floors are oak.
Sunroom
The steel shelving is antique, the light fixture is by Ames Ingham, and the sawhorse table is vintage.
Library
A Carlos Anesi painting hangs above the original copper fireplace surround, the cocktail table is by Richard Wrightman, and the cabinet is from Susanne Hollis; a collection of vintage pottery lines the window, and the cowhide rug is by the Rug Company.
Library
A Carlos Anesi painting hangs above the original copper fireplace surround, the cocktail table is by Richard Wrightman, and the cabinet is from Susanne Hollis; a collection of vintage pottery lines the window, and the cowhide rug is by the Rug Company.
Dining Room
The vintage French dining table is paired with chairs by Soane, and the ceiling is covered in silk; a Herb Ritts photograph hangs above a Christofle server that was used in the film Titanic. The cabinet and chandelier are custom made, and the floors are oak.
Primary Bedroom
The light fixture is made of handblown Egyptian glass, the bedding is by Anichini, and the bench is by Hermès; the chair is antique Chinese, and the Tolomeo sconce is by Artemide.
Living Room
The banquette is upholstered in a Loro Piana linen, the painting is from the estate of Bill Blass, and the Bavarian staghorn table holds souvenirs from Africa; the sculpture is by Joel Shapiro, and the Moroccan rug is vintage.
Primary Bedroom
The light fixture is made of handblown Egyptian glass, the bedding is by Anichini, and the bench is by Hermès; the chair is antique Chinese, and the Tolomeo sconce is by Artemide.
Primary Bath
The vanity is custom made, and the brass stool and English club chair are vintage; the clock once hung in an Associated Press newsroom, and the floor is paved in glass tiles by Waterworks.
Primary Bath
The showerhead and fittings are by Barber Wilsons.Chairs from Maison Midi surround an elm dining table beneath the pergola.
Primary Bath
The vanity is custom made, and the brass stool and English club chair are vintage; the clock once hung in an Associated Press newsroom, and the floor is paved in glass tiles by Waterworks.
Primary Bath
The showerhead and fittings are by Barber Wilsons.Chairs from Maison Midi surround an elm dining table beneath the pergola.
Pergola
Chairs from Maison Midi surround an elm dining table.
Pool Area
The concrete dining table is by Mecox Gardens, the iron chairs are topped with cushions covered in a Ralph Lauren Home fabric, and the brick pavers are original.
Terrace
The chaise longues have cushions of a Pindler & Pindler fabric, the pillows are covered in a Janus et Cie fabric, the English wicker chairs are antique, and the lanterns are Moroccan.
Owners
Eric Hyman, left, and Max Mutchnick, with their twin daughters, Evan, left, and Rose.
Here, though, she also had to take into account Hyman’s aesthetic. “Erik is more of a modernist, while I believe that more is more,” adds Mutchnick. “I’ll notice that a nook is naked. Then, as soon as he goes to bed, I get all the stuff and put it back.”
The look Ritz wanted to create was of a tony London social club. There are leather chairs, antiqued oak floors, and a master bath modeled on a barbershop. She was told she could use any color “as long as it’s gray, brown, white, or black,” she remembers. But she managed to break some rules. The library, for instance, has a red-felt ceiling. She also added some wonderful finds. The Christofle meat server in the dining room was used on the set of Titanic. Hyman brought along a half-dozen striking images by the late Herb Ritts, his former partner.
The couple are avid entertainers, but the most memorable event they ever hosted was their wedding. It was held in the garden just a few days before same-sex marriage was made illegal in California. Mutchnick had to turn off the fountain so everyone could hear the soft-spoken rabbi. They combined the wedding with their children’s naming ceremony. “As a result,” says Hyman, “there’s a lot of significance to the house.”
This story originally appeared in the May 2012 issue of ELLE DECOR.
You Might Also Like
