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From the Archive: ‘Will & Grace’ Creator Max Mutchnick Shows Us Around His Beverly Hills Tudor

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Introduction:

Erik Hyman and Max Mutchnick’s Tudor-style mansion in Beverly Hills, a property once belonging to tennis star Pete Sampras, has been transformed into a home that reflects the couple’s unique blend of elegance and whimsy.


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 notable business: Hyman is an entertainment lawyer, and Mutchnick is a writer and producer who co-created the hit TV series 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

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William Abramowicz

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 vintage, and the lanterns are Moroccan.

What attracted the pair to the property in the first place was what they call “the backyard.” Renovated with the lend a hand 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.

“We wanted a featherlight, crisp, urban home—a little edgy but comfortable.”

Brightening up the place was their main concern. “It was obscure and heavy-looking,” says Hyman. “We wanted a featherlight, crisp, urban home—a little edgy but comfortable.” Campbell’s solution was uncomplicated: He painted the obscure walnut paneling white.

four poster bed with a large foldable chaise at the foot and a high simple circular light figure with bulbs and a worn aubusson type carpet and books on the floor and a low carved wooden ta le

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The featherlight fixture is made of handblown Egyptian glass, the bedding is by Anichini, and the bench is by Hermès; the chair is vintage Chinese, and the Tolomeo sconce is by Artemide.

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, 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.”

Tour this glamorous Beverly Hills Tudor

a living room with black tufted sofas and inset molding on the white walls with wooden inset carvings and wood floors

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.”

a patio with a table and chairs

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Beneath a pergola, chairs from Maison Midi surround an elm dining table.

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 operate 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 Hyman brought along a half-dozen striking images by the overdue Herb Ritts, his former partner.

a long dining room a simple chandelier and double pedestal table and inset molding on the walls and round back upholstered chairs at the table

William Abranowicz

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 The cabinet and chandelier are custom made, and the floors are oak.

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.”

may 2012 cover elle decor

Here are the "FAQ" and "Conclusion" sections:

FAQs

Q: What attracted the pair to the property in the first place?
A: The backyard, which was renovated with the lend a hand of landscape designer William Shapiro, featuring huge old-growth trees, an oval pool, and a tropical garden.

Q: How did the couple approach the renovation of the house?
A: They wanted a featherlight, crisp, urban home—a little edgy but comfortable. Architectural designer Tim Campbell removed two staff bedrooms, a staircase, and a corridor to create a family room that’s adjacent to a spectacular sunroom.

Q: Who designed the interior of the house?
A: Melinda Ritz, who has worked with Max Mutchnick on almost every TV show he’s produced. She created a look inspired by a tony London social club, with leather chairs, antiqued oak floors, and a master bath modeled on a barbershop.

Conclusion

The renovation of the Tudor-style mansion in Beverly Hills was a labor of love for Max Mutchnick and Erik Hyman. With the lend a hand of interior designer Melinda Ritz, they created a featherlight, crisp, urban home that’s both comfortable and edgy. The result is a stunning space that reflects their personalities and style, with a focus on functionality and beauty.

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