At Home With…
Actor-Producer Sofia Vergara
Photography by Anita Calero
Stephen Block, the Principal behind Inner Gardens, sits down with renowned actor-producer Sofia Vergara to discuss their transformative collaboration.
When renowned actor-producer Sofia Vergara acquired her Beverly Park residence, she knew it had potential, but it was far from the lush oasis it would become. It wasn’t until Ohara Davies-Gaetano of ODG Interiors introduced her to Stephen Block, Principal of Inner Gardens, that her vision truly started to take shape. “Ohara brought you in to save me,” Sofia laughs, recalling their first meeting. “The landscape needed someone with the expertise and vision to bring it to life. You pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it was worth it.”
Featured on the cover of Architectural Digest, Vergara’s home now showcases an array of rare and antique pieces from Inner Gardens’ curated collection. One of the standout contributions from Block is a striking mid-century cast stone fountain, with an octagonal basin and a corresponding fountainhead, unearthed during one of his travels to France. “The space didn’t really have an anchor until Stephen showed me that fountain,” Vergara shares. “It was so impactful, it didn’t need anything else around it,” Block agrees, emphasizing the importance of selecting pieces that bring meaning and purpose to a space. “It’s not just about adding more; it’s about knowing when to stop. Editing is half the battle,” he adds.
Mid-century cast stone fountain, with an octagonal basin and a corresponding fountainhead, anchors the courtyard
The collaboration between Sofia and Stephen was seamless, rooted in mutual understanding and shared sensibilities. Stephen’s years living in South America gave him a deep appreciation for tropical, lush environments, something Sofia, with her own South American heritage, instantly connected with. Jana Feifer, who worked closely on the project, remarked, “It was so fun watching them banter—their bond was palpable.”
Their work together began with the interiors, where Sofia immediately fell in love with a 15-foot grand Ficus Amstel King that now greets visitors at the entrance of her home. This majestic tree was just the beginning, as Sofia soon asked Stephen to bring his expertise to the exterior. “I needed something for this loggia, and Stephen knew exactly what would work,” she says, pointing to the two rare grand Chesterfield benches from Block’s Culver City showroom.
Rare Chesterfield bench
Rare Chesterfield Bench, Inner Gardens Collection St. Remy Planters, Vintage Terracotta planters, and plants – all from Inner Gardens
Among other notable additions from Block’s Inner Gardens collection are the St. Remy planter, antique cast stone planters, 19th-century Spanish terra cotta planters, and limestone spheres sourced from Provence. “Everything he brought me, I loved,” Sofia says with her signature charismatic charm.
Stephen’s design philosophy, centered on collaboration and respecting the homeowner’s vision, naturally aligned with Sofia’s sensibilities. Their shared love for tropical living and mutual admiration for art, particularly the works of Fernando Botero, made the process seamless. What began as a blank canvas evolved into a lush, inviting sanctuary that allowed for the perfect setting for Sofia’s frequent gatherings with family and friends.
Vintage Terracotta flanking the entrance of the pool house