View an exclusive video and before and after photos below
In luxury real estate, as in life, taste evolves with the times. When Craig Knizek, Managing Director of The Agency’s Sherman Oaks and Calabasas offices, was enlisted to represent 4717 Encino Avenue, a sprawling Mediterranean-style estate in Encino’s Rancho Estates, he knew the home contained the hallmarks of greatness—but was in need of a refresh. With the practiced design eye of his wife Allison Knizek, the pair reimagined the residence as a breathtaking, modern Spanish estate.
The seasoned designer knew the home’s open, airy floor plan was conducive to today’s modern lifestyle and that the scope and scale of the residence was impressive. With updated lighting and fixtures, fresh color schemes for flooring and paint, and a transformation of some dated tile and stone, Allison elevated the home to speak to today’s savvy buyer. “We went from a gold and blue color palette on the exterior to a sophisticated black and white theme that elevated and modernized the facade,” Allison explained. “Once inside, we installed a nine-foot mosaic floor with tiny inlaid stones to create a wow moment in the grand foyer, while a new steel and glass door floods the space with natural light.”
The greatest transformation occurred in what many consider the heartbeat of the home: the kitchen. The space was ample but
dark. Allison finished the kitchen cabinets with glass faces, custom shelving, new hardware, lighting and a host of fresh tile, stone and custom carpentry. She swapped out the kitchen’s beige coloring in favor of a sleek black and white theme, and incorporated trendy brass elements to provide additional points of interest.
Upstairs, sophisticated, neutral design elements and a hand-painted palm mural serve as a centerpiece in the new-and-improved master bath. Meanwhile, the tactical decision to transform a downstairs 
bedroom into a movie theater was a strategic response to the current luxury market. The built-in soffit, which houses a projector, screen and motorized blackout shades, enables residents to maintain the space as an in-law suite, second office or gym, should they desire, offering maximum flexibility.
The backyard, with its highly symmetrical pool leading to an elegant pool house with a kitchen, jacuzzi, and exceptional bathroom, was already an entertainer’s dream. Overhead lights magically adorn the entire yard, creating a sophisticated space to entertain hundreds, or just a cherished few.
“There’s a tremendous opportunity to refresh and repurpose older homes to better suit today’s buyer, without having to spend the time and money to demolish and rebuild,” Craig explains. “All it
takes is a fresh perspective and some inspiration. The changes Allison incorporated were subtle and nuanced yet completely transformed the home. The result is a design that goes beyond the superlative to make everyday living a truly extravagant experience.”
View before and after photos, and go behind the gates of 4717 Encino Avenue in an exclusive video below. For more information about the property, visit its listing page.
