When interior designer Kristi Nelson moved into the former house of Edward Dickson six years ago, she was determined to restore the residence of UCLA’s co-founder to its former glory and prominence.
The Janss brothers, who developed much of Westwood, built the house, which was one of the first six on Hilgard Avenue. Dickson moved when it was completed in 1936.
The five-bedroom, nine-bathroom house is located at the northern end of Hilgard Avenue, just south of Sunset Boulevard.
Edward Dickson was a member of the UC Board of Regents who spearheaded the effort to move UCLA to its current Westwood campus.
During his inhabitance, Dickson prominently used the house for fundraising and social networking purposes, Nelson said. After Dickson’s death, a number of UCLA faculty and staff lived in the house, during which it fell into disrepair.
“When my husband and I bought the house, most of the appliances in the kitchen didn’t work. The heater wasn’t installed properly, and a large box obstructed our view of the city,” Nelson said.
Nelson said that many of the walls were peeling and the furniture was showing signs of aging.
As a professional interior designer, Nelson said her goal has been to remake the house into the mold of Edward Dickson’s vision.
“I wanted to maintain the character and grace of the house, yet bring it into the 21st century,” Nelson said. “We had to take the house down to the studs; removing unfortunate add-ons, replacing all of the systems, adding or reconfiguring whole areas.”
Cabinet-maker Oliver Downie has worked closely with Nelson to restore and mold the house back to Dickson’s vision.
“It’s been challenging but also rewarding. Usually we’ll just install new cabinets, but this time we’re working to restore everything back to its old state,” Downie said.
In addition to restoring damaged and worn-out parts of the house, Nelson has constructed extra rooms and an entirely new basement. The new rooms are built in the same traditional design as the rest of the house, and the basement features a home movie theater.
Though Nelson did not attend UCLA, she said she feels exceptionally close to the school living in Dickson’s old house.
“UCLA is such a user-friendly school. We go to the sculpture garden every day and treat it like our own backyard,” she said.
Nelson added that many of her neighbors in the Holmby Hills neighborhood east of campus feel a similar strong connection.
“Historically a number of UCLA faculty, staff and their families have lived in this neighborhood, especially in historic homes such as the George Kneller house by Wyton Avenue. Even those not associated with the school have a lot of Bruin pride,” she said.
Jasmin Espada-Zimmatore, a public relations representative who has closely followed the renovation, said the new house is a work of art.
“We see here Dickson’s original work. It is the natural home of the UCLA Bruin,” Espada-Zimmatore said.
Nelson said she is pleased with the culmination of the remodel. She added that her family has already moved in.
“The most up-to-date technology and amenities exist in this house, but what you experience when you enter are the graciousness and beauty that only come from age and time,” she said.
“I think if Mr. Dickson were to walk through the door now, he would feel as at home as we do.”