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1007 Cresthaven Dr In Highland Park

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1007 Cresthaven Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90042

2 BR, 1.5 BA
$429,000

Here’s a good opportunity for someone to snag a cute mid-century in the hills of Highland Park. The owners of this short sale bought the house for $575,000 in 2005 and now it’s back on the market for an attractive price. A spacious deck, French doors, views, beamed ceiling and about 900 square feet make up this comfortable looking home.

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8466 Brier Drive In Hollywood Hills

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8466 Brier Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90046

3 BR, 3.5 BA
$1,399,000

A flawless AJ Bernard designed rebuild (2008-2010) has brought this beautiful mid-century home in the Hollywood Hills back to its original beauty, compltete with all the modern day luxuries. Located in a quiet, private cul-de-sac, this single story residence originally built in 1949 provides a separate two-room guesthouse.

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There are bi-fold La Canada glass doors that reveal the beautiful south facing flat lawn and sunny views of Kirkwood Bowl and Mountains. 12’ wide French Oak plank floors throughout the main house, and spectacular reclaimed French Chateau floors in guesthouse.

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3123 Berkeley Ave In Silver Lake

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3123 Berkeley Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90026

3 BR, 1 BA
$599,000

Here’s a new flip in a great part of Silver Lake. When this came on the market in late May every investor in town went to check it out. In less than a few days it was gone, snatched up for $428,000. Now it’s back on the market fixed up with a remodeled kitchen, new electrical and plumbing, and a newly landscaped terraced yard (the yard was in serious need of help).

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Interview With ModOp Design’s Alexandra Becket

Alexandra-BecketReaders of Take Sunset know Alexandra Becket as one half of ModOp Design (the other half being husband Greg Steinberg) the house flipping duo responsible for taking Eastside homes in need of a makeover, including my current listing in Highland Park, and transforming them into stunning, high-end remodels. ModOp’s homes have mid-century influence and unexpected design touches, but what really sets them apart is their use of Alexandra’s own hand-painted artwork, printed textiles, upholstered furniture, and accessories.

Fabrics are at the core of Alexandra’s work. She uses water-based paints on silk to create her designs, and her work can be found not only in ModOp Design’s flips, but in homes and galleries around Los Angeles. Alexandra’s fabrics and textiles have also been acquired by high-end home decor companies and designers, like Anthropologie, BCBG, Vince Clothing, Trina Turk, Pottery Barn, Target, Guess, Tadashi, St. John–the list goes on.

Take Sunset had a chat with Alexandra about her creative process, the impact her grandfather (the great LA architect Welton Becket) had on her career, what inspired her to start flipping homes, and where she likes to grab a quick lunch in Silver Lake…

Take Sunset: Your artwork and textile patterns seem to reflect those found in nature. Is that what inspires you?

Becket: Yes, the natural environment is a big inspiration. Patterns created by rock formations, shadows cast by plant life onto the surfaces around them, vegetation and the endless array of shapes that exist in nature. My other big inspiration is architecture and the built environment of Los Angeles, specifically mid-century architecture. I am drawn to the aesthetics of mid-century design and appreciate the clean lines and geometry that came out of that era.

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Take Sunset: Can you talk a bit about your creative process?

Becket: I pick up inspiration when visiting places, usually when something calls out to me personally. I capture these inspirations on camera, which helps me to compose an image that I can refer to when designing. Then, I do my best to put these inspirations into work as soon as possible. If I’m working on creating a textile design or a fabric painting, I use a technique similar to batik, using a water-based resist to draw a design. I then paint over the design with water-based paint that I mix to create colors. The artwork is then heat-set to make it colorfast and washed, which removes the resist and reveals the linear design under the paint.

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Barnsdall Park Outdoor Movies Return

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This past Friday was the last wine tasting of the summer at Barnsdall Art Park, but that doesn’t mean the events in the park are over! This Saturday, September 4th, Barnsdall Park brings back their September Outdoor Movies Series. Bring your blanket and picnic basket and settle in on the West Lawn of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House. This year’s movies are modern classics that showcase the architectural and historical uniqueness of Los Angeles. First up is 500 Days of Summer, followed by LA Story, LA Confidential, and finally Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

Screenings start at 7:30 pm, but get there early to secure your spot and to have a few drinks. Unique beer and wine selections will be served from 5 pm to 7:30 pm. Tickets for the movie and drinks are $25.00. You can purchase them online here. The Coolhaus truck will also be on hand selling ice cream sandwiches, and the Let’s Be Frank truck will also be selling hot dogs and sausages.

All profits benefit the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation programs and projects. More details can be found at the newly-overhauled Barnsdall Art Park website: barnsdall.org.

Barnsdall Art Park
4800 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027


1655 Gilcrest Drive In Beverly Hills

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1655 Gilcrest Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

3 BR, 3.5 BA
$4,500,000

Built in 1941, this architectural estate sits on a private promontory with an expansive flat lawn and provides breathtaking jetliner and ocean views.

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The main house has a huge living room with walls of glass and dramatic views to the west.

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2143 Panorama Terrace In Silver Lake

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2143 Panorama Terrace
Los Angeles, CA 90039

3 BR, 2 BA
$1,120,000

Located in the Ivanhoe Elementary School District, this 1,900 square foot, mid-century modern home was built in 1953 by acclaimed architect James H. Garrott. The current owners are only the second family to ever live in the house.

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It provides a dramatic streamlined living room, high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a covered terrace with stunning Canyon views, and a uniquely placed pool.

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2427 Solar Drive In Hollywood Hills

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2427 Solar Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90046

3 BR, 2 BA
$2,040,000

Architect Val Powelson’s 1960 “Sunbow House” has been carefully renovated by Steven Kent, A.I.A. The 2,098 square foot architectural home with the unique unique Butterfly roof line is located in the Hollywood Hills, and features unsurpassed city lights, Valley, and Runyon Canyon views. And you have direct access to Runyon Canyon Park at the end of your cul-de-sac street!

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The home provides an open floor plan and an updated mid-century design for today’s lifestyle. There is a new pool, spa, sound system, and security system.

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Tom Buckley

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There is a great interview on Balustrade & Bitters with Los Angeles-based interior decorator Tom Buckley. Buckley relocated from New York to LA in 1969, after 20 year at the legendary design firm McMillen. He’s been crafting beautiful rooms in Los Angeles ever since. I particularly loved this bit about following your instincts as a designer:

I believe instinct is that little inner voice that says to you, “Do this, do that, or that is it, that’s the right chair.” Every time I’ve violated that rule, I’ve gotten into trouble. My little inner voice says,”I don’t think you should do this.” And I think, “Oh, shut up, I’m gonna do this, it’s gonna be fine.” Sometimes it works out and sometimes it’s been a disaster. I should have listened to that little inner voice. I believe we all have those little inner voices, all we need do is listen.

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There are many other gems in this charming and informative piece. Read the rest of the interview with Tom Buckley here.

Photographs by Coleen Ride.


Mohawk General Store

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I’ve been eyeing Mohawk General Store since it recently moved to Sunset Junction. Mohawk, the clothing and accessories store, joined forces with Amsterdam Modern, the by-appointment-only Van Nuys warehouse filled with mid-century furniture and 20th-century Dutch designs. And now they’re in one convenient location where you can get everything from cute new shoes, like these Rachel Comey booties in black leather that I am drooling over. (Hurry up and re-stock, MGS!)

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Or housewears, like this Small Hanging Geo Planter in White by the always-awesome Kelly Lamb!

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You can also pick up contemporary housewares, as well as American, Dutch, and Danish vintage furniture.

Mohawk General Store
4011 West Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90029

(323) 669 – 1601