Italian-born photographer and filmmaker Francesco Carrozzini had long envisioned a life in Los Angeles, and in 2017, he made that dream a reality by purchasing a Hollywood Regency-style home steeped in design legacy. Originally crafted and later reimagined by the iconic architect John Elgin Woolf, the residence was a fitting choice for Carrozzini, whose roots run deep in the fashion industry. His mother, the late Franca Sozzani, left an indelible mark on fashion during her time at Vogue Italia, and Carrozzini honored her legacy through a heartfelt documentary.
He revealed to Architectural Digest that he acquired the home from hotelier Sean MacPherson shortly before marrying producer Bee Shaffer. The couple celebrated the arrival of their son, Oliver, in October. Since moving in, Carrozzini has meticulously restored the home’s original parquet floors and white-painted wooden ceilings, while enhancing the living space with cozy library corners and custom-built bookcases.
Reflecting their creative backgrounds, the home is filled with striking works by legendary photographers such as Mario Testino, Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Robert Capa, Thomas Struth, and Man Ray, infusing the space with a refined, artistic energy. Carrozzini spent an entire month selecting just the right shade of white, aiming not to overhaul the home but to honor its architectural soul through thoughtful restoration. Today, the residence proudly holds the status of a Los Angeles landmark.
