from an early age Amanda Leigh She had a passion for art and was attracted to different styles of residences. She was also a volunteer for the Appalachia Service Project, which provides home repairs and replacements for income-eligible families. Yet no matter how other interests captured her attention, she always came back to A&D.
A native of New York, Leigh once owned a restaurant in the city, but soon realized she was more connected to the design aspect of restaurant ownership than the industry as a whole. It was only when she completed a project from start to finish that Leigh realized what her true passion was. “From the point where I did my first restoration and reconstruction, independent of any client judgment or outside bias, I knew this was something I wanted to do forever,” she says.
Taylor Hahn + Amanda Leigh of House of Rolison \\ Photo: jenna burke
In 2022, Leigh founded the Los Angeles-based company Rollison’s house With Taylor Hahn, her partner in business and life. A design and development firm, the pair finds forgotten homes and restores each to its intended beauty. They are known for creating spaces that push the boundaries of innovation and capture the essence of upscale lifestyle. Leigh celebrates her love of living the unexpected and unique, and some of her favorites are decommissioned firehouses – like the one owned by Spike Lee.
As managing partners, Leigh and Hahn mix vintage elements with contemporary pieces that feel curated and sophisticated. They constantly strive to deliver a distinctive luxury aesthetic that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
Whether Leigh is re-imagining a Spanish colonial estate or a bungalow, she credits Hahn for providing unparalleled support that has shaped her approach to her work. “Taylor has inspired me, and changed my perspective creatively,” says Leigh. “Our company would not be what it is if it were not for our collaborative differences and our overall love for each other.”
Today, we’re joined by Amanda Leigh friday five,
Fuller Building The Flatiron, New York, 1910 by Irving Underhill library of congress
The Flatiron Building is an incredible example of New York City architecture. I’ve spent most of my adult life in New York City, and I couldn’t help but be drawn to the history of this beauty. Veronica Mainetti of the Sargent Group has bought the building back in pieces to restore it for residential use and I couldn’t be happier with the effort!
Photo: Courtesy of Edison
Last January we took a trip to the Grand Del Mar in San Diego to celebrate Taylor’s birthday, where we decided to check out the beautiful restaurant, Edison. I was stunned by the flavor, the thoughtful choreography and their chef William Bradley is fantastic. He’s a designer in his own right, and his canvases are edible. They invited us to take a tour of their newly renovated kitchen and who knew Dekton could look so gorgeous.
Ross Farms \\ Photo: Courtesy of Lachlan Moore studio moore
3. Stairs
I’ve always been fascinated by stairs. They can have such a singular presence and the dance between engineering and design is so beautiful and diverse. Even something industrial with hard materials like this photo can have such a delicate nature.
Photo: Courtesy Construction Group Inc.
4. Framing
Framing is an art, and master framers and carpenters are underappreciated. How breathtaking are the details of this groin vault? The amount of time it takes to block out all those details is a strong reminder to look around and take in more information.
Photo: Courtesy Sotheby’s
5. 427 Cobra
I grew up tinkering with cars and motorcycles and developed a deep fascination with how they worked. The 427 Cobra is one of the most recognizable and iconic cars in American history. I love this vehicle so much, even though if you could find an original vehicle it would cost between 1 to 2 million dollars.
Projects by House of Rolison:
picture: Gavin Cater
we love our family room Roscomare Property. We used the color “Cottage White” from Dunn Edwards, which really livened up the space and the large sliding doors add in beautiful natural sunlight. Brands featured include: Dunn Edwards Paint, Westak, Olive Ateliers
picture: nils tim
kitchen on lloydcrest One of our favorite kitchens. We used Crema Marfil marble with a curved fluted edge to give the boat movement. Mixing paint and stain grade cabinetry helps keep a room feeling cool and warm. We used an Ilve stove, a bold light fixture, and Viola hardware from Low & Company to bring fresh energy to this space. Brands featured include: Plank Hardware, Ilve Stone, Low & Company.
picture: nils tim
our primary suite bluebird Property. We repurposed the space to the right of the fireplace as a lounge/den for a cozy feel. We collected pieces from The Expert, Olive Ateliers, Soho Home and other antique shops, which helped us connect the old with the new. The combination of mirrored cedar wood ceilings on hardwood white oak floors makes you feel as if you are surrounded by warmth. Brands include: The Expert, Olive Ateliers, Soho Home
picture: nils tim
Our “blue bathroom”. bluebirdThis bathroom has an old world European feel. We started by admiring the arched bathtub. We wanted to bring out not only color, but also shape and texture. We have a lot of dynamic elements in one room creating a monochromatic space that is full of soul and dynamism. Brands include: Restoration Hardware, Zia Tile, Portola Paints
picture: Gavin Cater
our beautiful cold water kitchen. The home is surrounded by the views and beauty of the Los Angeles Valley. We wanted to capture the essence of nature and art in this space. We used two-toned stone to make the back counters stand out and the warmth of the wood cabinetry to give the room a soulful feel. Hardware by Bresna.
