Shopping for others isn’t always an easy task – especially if you don’t know the person very well. However, I think we can all agree that it’s the thought that counts.
To help avoid awkward disappointment, here are some fall-themed gift ideas that will make anyone’s day!
This monochromatic Parisian apartment brings new meaning to the idea that your home should be your oasis. Decked in various shades of the same custom gray hue dubbed “craie,” is gorgeously soothing, sophisticated and full of fluidity and detail. This balance of making a modern space look cozy and inviting has been on the top of our must-master list for a long time. So when we got the chance to pick the designer, Guillaume Alan’s brain about transforming this apartment into a work of art – poetry even – we jumped on it. There are some great pointers in our interview, so get ready to take notes!
About The Space
For this particular project, it was really a meeting between the uniqueness and perfection of the homeowners and of the place and me, both trying to reach excellence while sharing a common passion for Asia. Two apartments were joined together and we did a complete renovation of the space to follow the light and sun during the day. Everything has been designed with a calm and relaxing [mood in mind] according to the owners’ needs.
Purity is a way of life. I think this is exactly what this project embodies. This space can be summed up in three words: luxurious, calm and poetic. It has a feeling of great simplicity and absolute purity. It’s austere yet there is no coldness, as we know how to add softness with a discreet range of tones and monochromatic shades. The architecture, as well as the decor, gives birth to a calm, pure space where luxury and rigor coexist without being ostentatious.
His Favorite Element
I think [my favorite piece is] the Tamon ensemble. It’s a long dining table that has a monastic and very pure aspect about it and you can see that from several points of view. I was inspired by calligraphy drawings, so we started from a calligraphy piece – drawings with a fine brush that are very gentle and convey movement – and actually incorporated it by cutting it into the material. The result was that we managed to give this specific piece a nobility that is both vibrant and sophisticated though the use of the calligraphy, through the proportions of the table and through the mat satin finish.
On Monochromatic Decor
The tone in the whole space is a very light grey, we call “craie”, our very own bespoke color, which is represented in the entire apartment on different materials and textures (walls, ash wood, corian, silk curtains, wool, pattern fabric in wool and silk, linen rugs). It gives a very harmonious feeling to the space and a certain depth as each surface captures the light differently.
For example, the way the very “crunchy” curtains in silk capture the light creates a beautiful contrast in texture with the very modern Corian material of the dining table. The silk curtains are totally bespoke, handmade by a parisian seamstress who follows the same rules as Haute Couture manufacturing.
Design Advice
Remember 5 words:
Timeless: I am very attached to the tradition of French classicism, but I am trying to rewrite it using pure lines. When I launched my first collection, it was 18th century architecture and furniture with a 21st century style. I choose this aesthetic because I know it will never go out of style, it’s timeless.
Serenity: In a very quick world and when lives are very busy, it is so important to have havens of peace that are calming and pure. Think soft monochrome color palettes and degraded shades.
Elegance: This is fundamental to a beautiful home or apartment. I use it in all aspects of the design process: in lighting, in materials, in shapes, in colors. When decorating your home, always have elegance as your main focus.
Precision: Although in many ways simplicity is very hard to achieve, precise simplicity is what makes a stunning interior. Perfect and simple lines executed with precision. Incorporating hard-to-find pieces and working hand in hand with the most advanced craftsmen to select the wood and perfect finishes all tie back to a passion of precision.
Poetry: Just because forms are pure and structured and austere, doesn’t mean a space has to feel cold. It’s always about balance, alchemy. Try to bring softness and poetry in to arouse emotions. I think this is this stamp of our work and interiors.
So what do you think?? So good, right?! We’re literally keeping bits of Guillaume’s interview in plain view as daily decorating reminders. The idea that elegance should be a main focus in design really resonated with us. Personal style evolves and after going through more room facelifts that one wants to admit, I’ve noticed that the pieces that I keep all have a special and timeless quality to them. And while it can be really difficult to execute, curating with the precision Guillaume talks about is something we all could be more aware of when choosing a new piece for a space. It sure would save a lot of money over the years and help to create the oasis we’re all looking to come home to!
An adorable gingerbread cottage in Oak Bluffs, MA, is now available for $875,0000.
Known as The Pink House, for its bubblegum-hued exterior, the aesthetically unique residence is one of 312 Victorian cottages on Martha’s Vineyard. The brightly colored cottage was built in 1870 and comes with a storied history.
It’s part of what’s known as The Campground, a collection of homes originally created as a summer retreat with campsites for the Methodist Church. Over the years, the camping tents were removed and cottages were constructed around The Tabernacle. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Tabernacle now hosts religious services and year-round cultural events.
“Everyone who lives there loves it,” says listing agent Kyle Neyer, ofTea Lane Associates. “The home is located in the most iconic fairytale campground, and I think its pink color really sets it apart. It’s been painted various colors of pink since after the Depression.”
The home’s distinctly pink exterior and Gothic front door give way to a cozy, 697-square-foot interior that drips with charm.
From the lacy wood details to exposed-beam ceilings, the home’s history echoes throughout the all-white space.
“Most of the cottages are truly summer cottages, but this one is a year-round home,” Neyer says. “I would describe this home as a fairytale mixed with modern amenities.”
The home is bound by a ground lease, so a buyer rents the land from the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. The buyer will own the home but not the land beneath it.
“An association fee includes trash and snow removal as well as maintenance of the communal gardens,” Neyer explains. “There are some rental restrictions. You can only rent it out six weeks in the summer, from June to September. It’s a real thriving summer colony, and they want it to stay owner occupied.”
The main floor features a bright and open floor plan, including a living room with preserved-hardwood floors and an oversized picture window that overlooks the pink deck.
Just past the living room is an adorable dining area with a second Gothic door for outside access.
The nearby galley kitchen has arched ceilings, a Gothic window, and a few pink countertop appliances to offer flourishes of color and contrast to the all-white interior.
Two spacious bedrooms with sloped ceilings are found upstairs. The primary bedroom has a dormer window and another Gothic door that opens to a private terrace.
A guest bedroom features a stained-glass window with balcony access.
And a brick patio and garden out back make for the ideal spot to host summer barbecues.
Located just blocks from Oak Bluffs Harbor and Nantucket Sound, the property is a delightful retreat for anyone in the mood to embrace year-round vacation living.
“It’s pretty much turnkey and is being offered fully furnished, but it doesn’t have a TV,” Neyer notes. “There is so much going on there in the summer, from religious functions to music and art festivals. The history of the home is just so amazing. It’s a very special, magical place.”
It may seem a little silly to talk about living room inspiration so soon after revealing my latest and last! loft makeover, but as soon as I finish one project I’m already off to the next – at least in my head! And the living room in our new/old house is probably one of the projects I’m most excited about. It will be the heart of the home. That’s why I was particularly tickled that Jacquelyn Clark of Lark & Linen fame agreed to throw in her two cents. I love everything about this girl’s style – she has impeccable taste after all!
For a little construction update, here’s what our living room currently looks like!
Yes, it’s certainly a hot mess at the moment, but once dry wall is finished, it’s painted and we put in the historically accurate fireplace, I cannot wait to start working on our final design scheme and floor plan. Connected to our kitchen, dining room and media room, this space will be the hub of the home – where we relax, where we hang out, where we entertain. It’s really where we’ll spend the majority of our time as a family, so the layout and final design choices will be key. I strongly suspect influence from Jacquelyn’s inspiration is going to show up in my final design!
As you may know, Miss Erin Hiemstra has gone and landed herself a gorgeous old Victorian home in the heart of San Francisco. While the exterior is picture perfect in every sense of the word, the interior is in need of a little TLC. And while Erin and her husband are busy tackling this massive project in real life, I’m going to be over here pretending this beauty is mine! My focus: that living room!
Since launching my own interior design business in October, I’ve been lucky enough to land quite a few pretty amazing projects. But in truth: this home right here is the one my designer dreams are made of. So when Erin and her team asked me to take part in this guest series, showcasing how I’d design one room if given the opportunity, my head began swimming with ideas.
When it came down to it, there were two things I knew for certain: this living room was begging for the slightest hint of glamor, and those Victorian bones needed to take centre stage. So with that in mind, I’m channeling my inner Catherine Giudici and calling this round-up “grown sexy.” It’s understated and elegant, all while remaining functional. The best part: the clean lines and modern elements add interest and contrast, which really allows those Victorian mouldings to shine.
GET YOUR SHOP ON:
> Sofa
> Chandelier
> Wall Art
> Accent Chair
> Coffee Table
> Gold Mirror
> Rug
> Walnut Buffet
Grown sexy? Jacquelyn, you had me at hello! I’m all about striking that balance between warm and elegant, sophisticated and livable. It is all about creating the perfect mix of statement making pieces and the work horses of your room. I particularly love Jacquelyn’s white linen sofa selection yes, I would scotch guard the hell out of it! and that geometric coffee table. Now that is a show stopper! So many ideas are dancing around in my head right now…I’m curious – if you had this living room, what would you do?!
For the rest of our Designers’ Takes on our 140 year old Victorian CLICK HERE
Image 1 vai Lark & Linen // 2 via Studio Karin // 3 via Dust Jacket Attic
I spend almost nothing on clothes. According to Mint, I’ve spent $199.50 to clothe my family of five this year. They say the average U.S. household has spent $1258.62. That’s more than six times my spending.
It’s been years since I walked into a clothing store, tried on styles I liked and bought myself a new pair of jeans. That doesn’t mean I’m content to dress like a slob, or wear the same tried-and-true favorites season after season. I change up my wardrobe every few months with a huge shopping spree — from my friends’ closets.
The Clothing Swap
My friends and I hold clothing swaps at least once a season. We all clean out our closets of anything we don’t love that’s still in good condition. We get together and swap our cast-offs around. I’m a walking advertisement for the aphorism, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.”
A clothing swap is a win on several fronts, For example, it decreases clutter in your closet, and gives you a chance to freshen up your wardrobe for free.
I find the selection at a clothing swap is better than I get in most thrift stores. My friends’ tastes in clothes are fairly similar to mine, so I don’t have to wade through rack after rack of 1970s polyester blouses to get to the good stuff. The last swap I was at had an entire business wardrobe of designer-label stuff in my size, a lot of it still with the tags on. I also picked up half a dozen cozy, long-sleeved t-shirts and a pair of great jeans.
I feel free to experiment with my wardrobe. If something fits well but is wildly different from my usual style, I can take it home and see if I like it. If it sits at the back of my closet for six months untouched, I can just return it next time I go to a swap. No harm, no foul. With clothing swap finds, I’ve expanded my staple wardrobe from simple jeans and t-shirts to include a lot more adventurous skirts and dresses.
Clothing swaps are great fun. I’d much rather spend a morning hanging out with a group of friends chatting and laughing while we play dress-up than spend hours trolling a mall for the right ensemble.
I’ve heard these events called “naked lady parties”, but men can play this game, too. I’ve hosted swaps that were just for the ladies and swaps that were co-ed. Do what works for you.
Swapping is simple
Here’s how to host a clothing swap:
Find a space. If you’re hosting a small event for your friends, your living room is probably ample. If you want to make it bigger, church basements and community centers are often open to this type of thing.
Decide who to invite. Do you want it to be all women, or co-ed? Just your close friends, or a big group? Will your swap have a theme, like a fancy dress swap or a mother-daughter swap?
Make your announcement. Giving people a few weeks notice before a clothing swap is a good idea. You want to give your guests time to gather up their unwanted duds, and make sure they have open space on their calendars.
Set rules for what can be swapped. Decide what you want people to bring, and what should go straight in the Goodwill bin. A good first rule is that everything be clean and in good condition. You may want to prohibit donations of used underthings. Some swaps also exclude kids’ clothing, athletic wear or winter gear, just because there’s so much of it and the appeal is so limited.
Gather your supplies. You’ll want a ready supply of trash bags for people to take clothes home in. Also handy: sharpie markers and masking tape for making labels. Full length mirrors are a huge bonus. You may also want to put out some light snacks and beverages, in a separate room from where the swap is happening.
Collect clothing. Encourage people to drop off their donations a few days in advance, so that you have time to set up and sort the loot before the event starts. This helps cut down on chaos. People will bring clothes as they arrive on the day of the swap; it’s human nature to do these things at the last minute. But you can get a head start by taking things early and having piles already going when your first guests arrive.
Set up the swap. To help people find what they want, sort clothes into based on type. You’ll want a separate heap for shirts, t-shirts, pants, sweaters, jackets, etc.
Donate the leftovers. When the swap is over, take the leftovers to Goodwill, Planet Aid, or the charity of your choice. It’s best to have a couple of dedicated volunteers on hand to help with this. The job can be overwhelming for one person.
The best reward to hosting a clothing swap? You get first dibs on everything that comes in as you sort through the donations.
Final Thoughts
The biggest risk is bedbugs. Bedbugs are a nightmare to live with and nearly impossible to get rid of. They love to travel in clothes, but can’t survive the heat of a dryer. If you’re hosting a clothing swap, make a very firm rule that everything brought into the house be freshly cleaned.
Hosting a clothing swap is a great way to slash your clothing budget to almost nothing, and it’s a fun way to spend time with your friends. It’s also a way to live green. We don’t usually think of clothes as recyclable in the same way a soda can is, but clothing makes up 5% of the municipal waste in New York City. That’s a lot of clothes going into landfills.
Swapping your unwanted stuff decreases your demand for new manufactured textiles, which can be a drain on natural resources. It also helps keep more clothes out of landfills.
Got any more tips on how to host a clothing swap? Leave ’em in the comments!
For more clothing tips, also see How to Stop Buying Clothes You Never Wear and Embracing the Thrift Store Ethic: 18 Top Tips for Buying Used Clothes. Also welcome Lifehacker readers! Photo by iwona_kellie.
A den is an additional room in an apartment that you can use as a multi-purpose space.
Apartments have different floor plans, rent prices and amenities. Depending on what you are looking for, you can pretty much find it when apartment hunting these days. Want a pool or an on-site gym? That’s an option!
One perk that is rising in popularity is the den. Everyone wants more space and dens are a unique way to get it. So, what is a den exactly and how might you use it? We will walk you through the 10 benefits of an apartment with this room and why you might want to rent one.
What is a den?
A den is defined as an extra room, usually without windows or closets. Dens can be found in both one and two-bedroom apartments. They are not considered additional bedrooms as they don’t have that designated closet space that a true bedroom features.
Does a room without windows sound dreary to you? Well, before you confuse a den with a dungeon, let us show you all the ways that an apartment with a den could be used. Essentially, a den is a bonus room where you can do anything you want.
10 benefits of renting an apartment with a den
What would you do with an extra room in your apartment? A den can be just that; it’s an extra room, albeit smaller than a bedroom, to do whatever you want! Here are some of Rent.’s suggestions on what to do with an apartment dent.
1. Built-in home theater
To be considered a den, the room cannot have any windows. This makes dens a cozy, dark space perfect for binging your favorite TV show or streaming the most recent Hollywood hit. With endless streaming platforms at your disposal these days, having a built-in theater room is an awesome perk of apartment living. If you’re a movie lover or Netflix and chill kind of person, an apartment with a den is a must-have. You can invite all your friends over for movies in your dedicated home theater.
2. Optional work-out room
Do you like to work out but don’t have a gym membership or on-site gym? Get some free weights, a Pelaton and a yoga mat and you’ve got yourself a small, personal workout room in the den. It’ll also be cool as there won’t be hot sunlight streaming in from any windows, so you can turn up that music and crank out a quick burn session.
3. WFH spare office
In a world where remote work is more common, you may need a dedicated office space. While some people use their bedroom or living room as a makeshift option, a den is the perfect extra room to transform into a focused work zone. In the den, you have a specific space to go to work and then at the end of the day go back to your main living room without feeling like you never left home that day. You can WFH and live at home without feeling burnt out when you have a den.
4. Meditation or wellness room
We could all use more R&R in a stressful world. If you rent an apartment with a den, you can transform it into a Zen meditation or wellness room. Get a comfortable couch or yoga mat, light a nice candle or essential oils and settle into some dedicated meditation time in your new den wellness room.
5. Private “man den,” “she cave,” or “theysment” space
Bears hibernate in dens, and honestly, that can sound kind of nice. So, why don’t you turn your den into a private space? Do you like to paint? Make your cave a painting studio. Do you like to play poker or chess around some drinks? No matter how you use it, a den is the perfect extra room to make it anything you want it to be.
6. Secondary living space
Are you simply feeling crowded in your apartment and needing more space? Then a den is a great option for additional living space. You can have your bedrooms, kitchen and dining areas and living room plus a den. Extra space in an apartment is always a pro. But, keep in mind you’ll likely pay more in rent for the extra square footage.
7. Peaceful reading room
Escape to a fictitious land by reading or listening to a book. When you turn your den into a peaceful reading room and library, you can go anywhere you want when you escape through the pages of your book. This dedicated reading space can be charming and like your own small bookstore. Get some cozy couches and plush pillows and your den is now your escape.
8. Game room
Do you enjoy game nights with friends? Well, turn your den into the go-to game room. Depending on the size, you could add a pool table or ping pong table here. Or, get a cool table and lots of board games for any sort of competitive gaming setup. Dens are ideal for game rooms.
9. Additional guest room
While it’s not technically a bedroom, a den can double as a spare bedroom for short stays. Get a futon so your guest can have a couch and bed to stay in. This additional room will enable you to host guests without giving up your precious bedroom space or main living room area.
10. More storage space
You probably have too much stuff, as we all do, so extra storage space is never a bad thing. Because apartments are smaller and often have fewer storage options, a den can double as a storage unit. Free up those closets and put your seasonal clothes in the den. Or, fill it with holiday decorations or food storage. Really, you can use it however you like because it’s extra space.
How to find apartments with dens
Does an apartment with a den sound appealing to you? Then it’s time to start the apartment hunt! You can search for apartments in your desired area, within your price range and with the desired amenities — like a den!
RiRi’s trading one of her real estate diamonds once again.
According to Mansion Global, megastar Rihanna, whose given name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, is looking to offload one of her Beverly Hills, CA, homes for $10,495,000.
It seems the singer and beauty entrepreneur barely had time to unpack her makeup kit in this lovely home, which she added to her real estate portfolio in 2021 for $10 million.
She still retains ownership of a nearby mansion that she snapped up in 2020 for $13.7 million.
Here’s more on the four-bedroom, five-bath mansion she’s letting go.
Sitting behind gates on one of the most coveted streets in Beverly Hills, Rihanna’s pretty property is everything a Cali home should be. The 5,100-square-foot abode has solid bones (built in 1939), an attractive color palette, and a traditional interior design that should appeal to many.
There are weathered wood floors, cozy fireplaces in the living room, and vaulted ceilings. The steel-blue kitchen island offers seating for three, and there’s a sunny breakfast nook, too. The main bedroom has a mini living space plus windowed seats for curling up with a good book.
Outside, stately trees, lush lawns, and a vegetable garden await, along with a pool and patio spaces. There’s even a half-basketball court for pickup games. A detached guesthouse comes complete with a bedroom, living room, kitchenette, and office space.
Rihanna’s talent knows few bounds as she’s branched out widely from her early days as a pop artist. The billionaire Barbadian is the founder of the makeup brand Fenty Beauty, and she’s the force behind the fashion house with the same name, which is under the luxury conglomerate LVMH.
As the headliner of the Super Bowl LVII halftime show, the megawatt star blew the roof off the place.
Last fall, the nine-time Grammy winner released a single for the movie “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack, titled “Lift Me Up.”
Walt Disney once famously said “I dream, I test my dreams against my beliefs, I dare to take risks, and I execute my vision to make those dreams come true.”
And while he may have stayed true to these words in all aspects of his life, today we’d like to turn an eye to the homes he imagined into reality. More specifically, the whimsical storybook mansion he built for his family as his animation studio was gaining ground.
Especially since avid Disney fans can now celebrate 100 Years of Disney — the company’s year-long centennial celebration — in the Mickey Mouse creator’s own home.
Walt Disney’s house in Los Feliz, where he lived for almost 20 years and where he and his wife Lillian raised their two children, is currently available to lease.
It doesn’t come cheap though: the storybook mansion is being rented out for $40,000/month. Chase Campen with Compass is in charge of the listing.
“This property was chosen by Walt Disney as the place to raise his family, and also coincided with a transition of Disney Studios from fledgling enterprise toward entertainment giant,” Campen says. “It sits on an acre of land with incredible outdoor space and city views. Its historical pedigree only adds to the magical mystique.”
Speaking of magical mystique, the storybook mansion draws visitors in with its unique architecture from the second they lay eyes on it.
Mixing French Provincial, French Country Tudor, and Neo Gothic styles, the property located on Woking Way in Los Feliz, Los Angeles is a beautiful example of storybook architecture.
Related: Wonderfully Witchy: The Storybook Spadena House in Beverly Hills
The owner of the former Walt Disney house is Timur Bekmambetov, a Kazakhstan-born film director who purchased the home in 2011. And it would seem that creativity flows freely through the 1932-built house, as our sources tell us that the director has been inspired by the home to create a graphic novel and a movie script he is working on about fictional Disney characters who never made it to the big screen.
The storybook mansion has 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and 2 half baths across 6,388 square feet of living space, and beautifully appointed interiors that match the whimsical exterior.
The majestic home sits atop a gated drive with parking for 10. A rotunda entrance welcomes residents and guests alike into this magical place, from where they are ushered into the dramatic two-story living room that features vaulted wood beamed ceilings, wood-paneled walls, a brick fireplace, and original windows that look out over the backyard, pool, and downtown Los Angeles.
From there, one wing of the house offers an elegant dining room with French doors to the outside and an artisanally painted ceiling set amidst interlaced beams.
This leads to a gorgeous eat-in kitchen with a center island, marble counters, custom cabinets, a walk-in pantry, and stained glass windows — a perfect mix of modern convenience and old warm charm.
Opposite the living room on the other wing is the still-intact home theater where Walt watched dailies of his productions; the original elements have been preserved, and enhanced with a touch of modern technology.
Upstairs, the spacious primary suite rests above the theater, with city views, ample closets, and a bathroom with dual vanities, a large dual head shower, a centerpiece tub, and period tile.
The other wing features two generous guest bedrooms with a well-appointed bathroom between them. Completing the upstairs is a sunlit family room with vaulted ceilings and access to a former sleeping porch, ideal for an office space or gym.
As is to be expected, the outdoor grounds are incredible, featuring well-landscaped walkways, lush grass lawn, an inviting pool, trellis covered outdoor dining area, and an entire separate area that resembles a private park.
Walt Disney lived in this home longer than any other home from 1932 to 1950.
While his Holmby Hills mansion is most often associated with his persona, Disney’s house on Woking Way is where he raised his daughters and where got the inspiration for Snow White. Diane and Sharon Disney’s original playhouse still sits on the property.
Disney’s Storybook Mansion — also known as the Storybook Cottage — can now be rented for $40,000/month.
Snow White’s cottage in Los Angeles is every Disney lover’s dream
Bacardi heiress lists rare Disney World estate with themed ‘Star Wars’, ‘Frozen’ rooms
Timeless Elegance Meets Whimsical Charm in this $6M Storybook Castle in Los Angeles
A two-story gem designed in 1921 by renowned architect William Lee Woollett, laden with L.A. art and architecture history, has recently been hit the market in Outpost Estates.
The home was owned for 30 years by Walter C. and Louise Arensberg, renowned collectors and patrons of modern art. The couple were visionaries of their time, passionate about the avant-garde movement and constantly pushing boundaries in the art world.
When they acquired this Mediterranean Revival-style residence in 1927, they saw beyond its mere structure.
To them, it was a colossal canvas waiting to be filled, with its walls, floors, outdoor structures, and L-shaped layout offering endless creative possibilities.
The Los Angeles home that defined modern art
Paintings and sculptures adorned every wall, nook and cranny, and even graced the porch, doors and bathrooms. The property also hosted 4,000 rare books and manuscripts.
Louise died in late 1953 and Walter a few months later. They left their home an absolute treasure trove of art, filled to bursting with nearly 1,000 pieces.
After their passing, the couple’s art found a new home at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, while their impressive book collection was donated to California’s Huntington Library.
But the house will forever be associated with the timeless works of art that once adorned its walls.
The home and the collections it housed were even the subject of a 2020 book, “Hollywood Arensberg,” published by the Getty Museum. Following the book’s release, Architectural Digest ran a feature on the historic property, calling it “The Los Angeles Home That Defined Modern Art”.
Its architectural journey, with additions by Richard Neutra, John Lautner, culminated in an extensive $5 million renovation
The Arensbergs also had a deep love for modern architecture and had commissioned various additions to the home over the years, some of them to accommodate their remarkable collection.
Their roster of architects reads like a who’s who of cutting-edge designers from the era: Henry Palmer Sabin, Richard Neutra, Gregory Ain, John Lautner, and Henry Eggers.
Some of the home’s special features include a movie theater by Gregory Ain, an office by Richard Neutra, and a carport by John Lautner with a turntable for easy entry and exit to the estate.
Earl Stendahl, a close friend and neighbor, acquired 7065 Hillside Avenue and turned it into an extension of his Wilshire Boulevard gallery. Following his death in 1966, his family kept running the gallery for many years but eventually fell hopelessly behind on property maintenance.
Related: Richard Neutra-designed stilt house looms over the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles
When Heithaus and Browning bought the residence, it had no running water or toilets, and the kitchen had been destroyed by fire. Parts of the second floor were rotting.
The two spent $5 million and five years on renovations, bringing the property back to near-original condition. They restored walls, installed new plumbing and electrical systems, and added a stunning fountain and white concrete table with seating for 12 to the front garden, greatly enhancing its charm.
The Arensberg house is now on the market for $8.5 million
Now, Browning and Heithaus are ready to sell. While their profit may not be enormous given the $5 million investment, they take pride in having restored a cultural landmark (as designated by the City of Los Angeles) back to its former glory.
Acquired for $2.34 million in 2017 by owners Marco Heithaus and Jonathan Browning, it’s now proudly presented by The Agency’s James Harris and David Parnes.
The two-story residential building offers 4 bedrooms and 6 baths across 5,612 square feet of living space. The living room, dining room, and owner’s suite all have large fireplaces.
Outdoor amenities include a saltwater swimming pool with a spa, an outdoor kitchen, jaw-dropping fountains, and a sunken garden with a stone dining table that easily accommodates 12.
The $8.499,000 asking price stands out in Outpost Estates, a community where the Spanish-Revival style dominates. Yet, the home’s pedigree is like no other.
Original masterpieces by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Paul Klee, and the ever-scandalous Marcel Duchamp have all adorned the walls, creating irresistible allure. It probably won’t be long before some art- or history-loving buyer answers the call of this remarkable property.
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I realize it’s been a hot second since we provided an update on the remodel of our San Francisco Victorian. That’s because there really hasn’t been much to show or tell for quite a few months now – unless you’re fascinated by plumbing, electrical work or the art of insultation. It’s riveting stuff, let me tell you. If you’ve ever gone through an extensive remodel, I’m sure you can relate. There’s an extended amount of time where it really looks like nothing has happened. But, I’m pleased to report we finally have real progress! There are walls. Rooms are starting to look like actual rooms. Flooring is about to go in. These are major milestones for us. Here are a few sneak peeks!
this taken from our living room looking into what will be our kitchen! We removed two walls to create an open concept space.
I love the curviture of our staircase. Now I just have to design a banister…
We’re keeping all the original molding and those killer archways throughout the house.
Looking from the dining room into living room/kitchen. I’m just dreaming of those oak floors being laid.
Now that all the ugly stuff is done, we’re moving onto the fun – finish work! Think light fixutres, counter tops, cabinet design. I’ve been obsessing about our master bathroom lately. It’s a bit of a holy grail of homeownership after all. We actually took an extra bedroom to create the master suite of my dreams. Here’s what it is going to look like!
All the dream bath ingredients are here. His & Hers vanities. A little room for the toilet to call home. We’ll enjoy the modern revelation called a linen closet. No more shoving towels and sheets where ever the heck I can find space. We’re also creating a dual-headed shower, with a rain showerhead – what I hope will be my tiny oasis from the rest of the world! My goal is to create a spa-like atmosphere. These are a few of the inspiration images I pulled onto my moodboard.
As with most other things in my day-to-day, I’m drawn to a neautral color palette. Natural materials like stones and wood will have a soothing feel. One of the bathroom’s biggest features is going to be the shower. It will be the first thing you see as you walk from the bedroom into the space. At 12″ tall, it’s got to be eye catching!
To create something modern, but also timeless I headed to Fireclay Tile – an amazing San Francisco-based tile maker. Working with their in-house design team, we decided to do a play on the classic subway tile look. To take a modern approach, the shower will feature an oversized version their Edge tile line. The tile is crisp and clean with sharp edges. I love the color Feldspar – it’s just a touch warmer than white and looks gorgeous in a matte finish. You can see the sketch of the final tile design below.
I am so excited to see that oversized subway pattern stretching 12″ tall! We’re also tucking in a teak bench and a hidden products storage cubbie behind the wall. I know California is in a drought but it’s going to be really hard to not spend hours in that shower!
When it comes to accessories this is where I want to warm up the space with super cozy towels, woven baskets and a natural stump stool. Modern towel racks in black will add a touch of trendiness.
There’s still quite a bit I’m debating. I haven’t nailed down a paint color. I’m also hunting for great bathroom mirrors (any hot tips?!) and have yet to fall in love with a wall sconce. But all in all, it’s coming together! I can actually envision getting ready in this room everyday.