What if your garden didn’t stop at the front door? At Obsidian House, a modern Los Angeles home in Studio City, nature isn’t something you simply see through the windows—it actually becomes part of the house.
Designed by Shlomi Sfadia of SLS Properties, with architecture by Avi Galili and landscape design by Studio Elico, the two-level modern home was created to feel more like a private retreat than a typical full-time residence.
The star of the house is hard to miss: a remarkable 24-foot indoor planter that runs through the kitchen. It was one of the first ideas behind the project and eventually influenced the rest of the design. Instead of keeping the garden outside, the planter brings greenery right into the center of everyday life.
The open-plan kitchen, dining, and living areas flow naturally into one another, while huge glass panels and sliding doors blur the line between indoors and out. Patios continue that connection, making the house feel surrounded by—and sometimes almost inside—the landscape.
The name Obsidian House also hints at its moody color palette. Deep charcoal tones, muted wood, limestone, lava stone, and charred wood create a dramatic backdrop, while plants and natural textures keep things feeling warm and inviting.
Throughout the house, the materials were chosen to age beautifully and work with the Southern California climate. And as the sunlight moves throughout the day, the home changes with it.
Even smaller spaces get the nature treatment. In the powder room, a floating sink and floor-to-ceiling window bring greenery into view, while a dedicated media room offers a quieter, more intimate escape.
The result is a Los Angeles home that doesn’t just sit in a garden. Thanks to its indoor planter, open spaces, and nature-inspired architecture, it feels like the garden is living right alongside you. [h/t: design-milk]
