Myra Hoefer: Parisian Interiors from her 1935 Ivy House

Hello Lovely has the best readers who often alert me to fabulous properties. When photos of this 1935 charmer with its lush courtyards, Parisian inspired interiors, and all-white decor scheme were shared with me years ago when it hit the market, it was a delightful surprise. We’ll revisit the charming 1935 ivy covered cottage of the late interior designer Myra Hoefer today. What a creative dynamo she was!

Myra Hoefer's ivy covered 1935 California cottage.

Myra Hoefer: Parisian Interiors from her 1935 Ivy House

This California cottage with studio belonged to brilliant interior and floral designer, Myra Hoefer.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors and French inspired gardens.

Myra worked alongside her daughters Lisa North and Gina Gattuso to help strengthen and refine her brand. Gina and Lisa run Myra Hoefer Design today. 

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors and French inspired gardens.

Their interiors reflect the original rustic and elegant mix of Myra, with an added young and fresh approach. 

Front door of interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors and French inspired gardens.

Myra Hoefer Design offers a full range of interior consulting services to residential, commercial, retail, and staging clients. 

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

Myra designed apartments in Paris, and pieces like the benches (with goat feet!) above were designed for her A La Reine furniture collection. Other pieces included this-hand carved piece:

Hand carved acacia wood rope Charolais - Myra Hoefer's a la Reine collection.

and a shell chandelier:

Coquille chandelier from Myra Hoefer's a la Reine collection.

which we see in the studio:

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

Parisian Inspired Gardens

This romantic entrance truly feels like France, oui?

Front door and columns of interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors and French inspired gardens.

This home’s before/after was featured in House Beautiful, and it’s truly a testament to what wonders can be wrought in a relatively small footprint.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

The real estate description at the time it was marketed read:

“This Hidden gem is located just steps away from the historic Healdsburg Plaza. Built in 1935, the ivy covered exterior camouflages this two story residence from the commercial streetscape.

Rustic French country white country kitchen by Myra Hoefer in a Parisian 1925 home.
The cabinet holds Limoges heirlooms, French terra-cotta, and Pottery Barn basics.

Features include: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, formal living & dining rooms.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors and French inspired gardens.

Lush courtyards located in both the front and rear of the property offering privacy and tranquility.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

Also included is a detached studio which makes for a perfect home office or business.”

Vine covered exterior of interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors and French inspired gardens.

Collecting for Color & Joy

There is something so timeless about how Myra mixed casual California cool with Parisian elegance.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

So much whimsy, joy, and little goat feet!

Tabouret chevre goat bench - Myra Hoefer's a la Reine collection.

I recall seeing this rusty gate and sighing at the garden urn shape on top!

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors and French inspired gardens.

I’m wondering if the large mirror in this dining area is silver leaf (the lighting makes it appear gold) since I own an identical silver leafed one!

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

You get a sense of the contrast from a rich lush landscape outdoors and the spare, pale rooms inside.

Vine covered exterior of interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors and French inspired gardens.

Pale Paint Colors in This Home

The walls are a very similar grey to those in our current home.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

For a similar look, try Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray…

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

or Pavilion Gray from Farrow & Ball.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

The paint color on Myra’s white shelves looks similar to Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace,

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

but it could be SW Decorators White.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

Don’t you love the intimacy of European inspired little courtyards and terraces tucked away?

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

Look at the lantern upstairs!

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

I’m also fond of all of the petite sconces throughout this home.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

They add so much romance and soul and cozy factor.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

How is that for ceiling cover?

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

According to House Beautiful, “The ivy-covered house had a walled front garden with a French-style arbor to buffer it from the street. Butterscotch climbing roses grew in metal planters down the center of a former driveway.”

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.
Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

A turn-of-the century plan d’oiseau (bird’s-eye map) of Paris is perfect in this stairway:

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

How the Designer Reimagined Her Home

After raising her family here, Hoefer redesigned the interiors.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

She told HB, she approached the redesign

“…with a lighter touch — less drama, more peace.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

It’s a softer, more refined version of French, and even more romantic than before.

Interior designer Myra Hoefer's beautiful 1935 California cottage with Parisian interiors, antiques, and French inspired gardens.

“It’s all so intimate,” Hoefer says. “The house makes its own magic.”

More Designs from Myra Hoefer

Enjoy these lovely glimpses from years past!

Myra Hoefer's a la Reine collection.
Myra Hoefer's a la Reine collection.
Myra Hoefer's a la Reine collection.

A white butterfly installation by Paul Villinski near the ceiling is perfect in this beautifully billowy space by Myra.

Paul Villinski butterfly installation in a beautiful Parisian inspired living room by Myra Hoefer.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

What a timeless room, and the art! I’ll never tire of the work of Paul Villinski!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
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Tray Side Table
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8 Comments

  1. May 3, 2017 / 9:57 am

    Beautiful Michele, i could see you dancing about this home.

    Xx
    Dore

    • May 5, 2017 / 12:29 am

      absolutely. how are we gonna get my husband to see that?

  2. May 4, 2017 / 1:29 am

    love it all 🙂 ..and that laundry room – and the shelves! gorgeous property;)

    • May 5, 2017 / 12:29 am

      and those courtyards! 🙂

  3. Karyn
    January 14, 2023 / 10:38 am

    Hi Michele, I think I’m the reader who alerted you to Myra’s home being for sale back in 2017. Myra was such a wonderful designer. I’m going to have to dig through my old House Beautiful issues to revisit her Healdsburg home over the years. What an eye she had for finding antiques and mixing things together. Thanks for reminding me and your readers about her. Best to you in the new year!

    • Michele
      Author
      January 14, 2023 / 3:53 pm

      You were the one! I was so happy you made the introduction and love her work so much – thank you, Karyn!

  4. Amy
    January 29, 2023 / 11:36 pm

    Love this cottage and her unique decor and her use of lots of mirrors…my fav thing to hang on a wall!! Such a treat to get a tour.

    • Michele
      Author
      January 30, 2023 / 9:02 pm

      Just the sweetest ivy covered cottage, and what a talent she was! I do love me a mirror and still have several to hang here. When will it all be done? I suppose we’ll know when it feels time to move! 🙂

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing