As a tonal concept house, Shawn Ashmore’s new residence in Studio City might be a lesson in fundamentals. The moody grey exterior extends within, and is enhanced by soft blue tiling and a bit of natural wood. All the cool tones make the home feel rather affirming. Even in bright sunshine, the house and property maintains a quiet detachment.

The design of the home continues the trend, with contemporary industrially-influenced features helping in the cause. It is no surprise that the construction dates to 1989; now, it seems a bit historic, even a little quaint, but at the time of building it was absolutely postmodern cutting-edge, a formal statement intended to impress.

At 2,700 square feet, the size of the house is quite manageable, and, like most contemporary designs, it uses its available space to best advantage, with vaulted ceilings and abundant glass giving the interior the pleasant feel of continuation.

All the cool and dark coloration does not really detract from the overall sense of spaciousness; it makes the home feel comfortable, and plenty of sunlight washes away the twilight of all the grey and darker wood and marble. Only the light fixtures, maybe, could stand a softening change. The main level, with its two-tiered hardwood floor, gives the house a little bit of narrative flow.

The exterior pool, lounge and garden area is nicely designed, again making best use of limited space, with natural growth offering both privacy and a sense of escape. A hardwood trellis is waiting to be overgrown with red granadilla.

Shawn Ashmore is a successful television and film star. He is best known as the character Iceman from the ‘X-Men’ franchise, and as Agent Weston in the television series ‘The Following,’ which aired on Fox from 2013-2015.