Archive for the ‘Interviews’ Category
Garde On Beverly Boulevard
You know when you walk into a store and it’s just totally right and you immediately start dreaming about where each piece will go in your home? That’s what happens when you step into Garde, the newly-opened home furnishings and personal accessories store on Beverly Blvd, owned by Scotti Sitz.
Sitz is both impeccably stylish and incredibly sweet. She’s had an impressive career–working first for Calvin Klein and later as the director of retail development for Giorgio Armani. The classic, minimal style of those major brands finds its way into Garde’s retail space, which use to be an old electronics repair shop–untouched for over 30 years. “It was a boring space with no character,” Sitz tells Take Sunset. “I thought, how do I create an inviting environment out of nothing?” She completely overhauled the space. “You name it, we gutted it,” she says. “There was an old drop ceiling with 1950′s tiles, the skylight was boarded up, linoleum on the floors, bad windows, partitions.”
The end result is light, open, modern and minimal without being austere. “The space was long and narrow, so I needed to divide it without walls or partitions,” Sitz explains. “We painted the big grey stripe through the middle, added shelving and display surfaces so you have a subtle feeling of different spaces, but still open and gallery-like.” When asked about her design influences, Sitz says she has many–gathering her likes and dislikes over the years in order to fine tune her own style. But for this project, one particular inspiration stands out. “In the past couple of years, my go-to design influence has been the Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen,” Sitz states. “Mr. Van Duysen represents the minimalist, which is in my nature, but without being severe. He puts the warmth and tactile elements back in spaces and manages to keep all the rooms flowing in a natural direction.”
As for picking Garde’s location on Beverly Boulevard, Sitz explains that she use to live right around the corner and has watched the neighborhood change into the perfect location for her retail store. “It’s become the neighborhood of higher-end vintage furniture and design, without being over the top,” she says. ”It is kind of the anti La Cienega and PDC [Pacific Design Center] area. It’s less commercial, which I like.” And so far, so good. Sitz says she loves her shop’s new neighborhood. “I love contributing to the cool vibe that’s now known as ‘the Beverly Corridor’.”
Contributing to that vibe is Garde’s unique mix of housewares and accessories, including silk textiles by artist Stevie Howell, jewelry by designer Satomi Kawakita, brass ornaments by Anna Karlin, pottery by Sara Paloma, and ceramic and hemp wall hangings by Michele Quan, which I immediately fell in love with. Sitz says the most important aspect in choosing the collections she carries–aside from being beautiful or interesting–is her personal connection with the designers. “I love the stories behind each artists’ journey and the process to create their designs,” she says. “And I curating collections from artists in the U.S. and abroad. The world has truly gotten that small, thankfully.”
Garde
7418 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.424.4667
ModOp’s New Listing In West Hollywood
751 North Ogden Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90046
3 BR, 2 BA
$1,040,000
I’m excited to give Take Sunset readers a sneak peek into another stunning transformation by ModOp Design. This Spanish architectural was built in 1928 and has only had two prior owners. Conveniently located in West Hollywood and close to the restaurants and shops of Melrose and Fairfax, this 1,480 square foot home features many original details along with modern updates for the discerning buyer.
Known for their thoughtful renovations of mid-century modern and bungalow homes on the east side, a Spanish style house in West Hollywood is a change of pace for ModOp’s Greg Steinberg and Alexandra Becket. But this was a project they couldn’t pass up: “The minute we stepped inside the front door of this home, we fell in love with its original character,” Alexandra says. “The wood beams took our breath away, and we saw tremendous potential in restoring its original charm.” Greg agrees, adding, “We had been looking in the neighborhood and passed up a few, but this one stood out.”
The West Hollywood neighborhood is an area that the couple knows well. Their own home, which Greg has lived in for over 20 years, is located only a few blocks away. ”I’ve always liked that the neighborhood is so centrally located and walkable,” Alexandra says. “And since the Grove opened, the neighborhood has improved tremendously. So many great businesses, restaurants and stores have opened. We never have to drive, if we don’t feel like it!”
Some of Greg and Alexandra’s favorite places to go in the neighborhood? “The Melrose Place Farmers Market on Sundays, walking to Whole Foods, the Coffee Commissary, Lindy & Grundy, or grabbing lunch at The Golden State, V Cafe or Froma,” Alexandra says. “Favorites neighborhood activities are Thai massages at the new PaliHotel, City Yoga, Runyon Canyon, and the new West Hollywood library. In the evening I love to walk to the Fairfax Farmers Market for dinner at Short Order and see a movie at the Grove!”
How To Get a Loan In 2012
I hope you are all enjoying a happy holiday season and are ready for a great New Year! With 2012 just a day away, undoubtedly some of you are thinking about what the new year will bring… And maybe some of your are hoping to buy a new home in 2012! Let’s take a minute to talk about the semi-daunting but always-important topic of home loans. (Fun, I know, but afterward you can crack open some Champagne.) Mortgage Lender Scott Groves with Prospect Mortgage answered a few questions about changes to the loan process in the new year, tips for how to qualifying for a loan, and how to file your taxes without screwing up the loan process. Check it out.
Take Sunset: There’s been a lot of talk about what a bad year it was in real estate, with the Case-Shiller index showing home prices consistently dropping, but this was actually good news for buyers. And in desirable areas of LA, these statistics didn’t even seem to affect sellers. What’s your take?
Scott: Most economists expect home prices to continue to decline as much as 4% or 5% before leveling off sometime in 2012. And yes, this is actually great news for buyers. As the economy continues to struggle nationwide and we go into an election year, there will be pressure to keep rates artificially low, as they are now. Even if you’re buying in a rebounding area like Los Angeles these nationwide economic struggles will ensure that you get an amazing rate on your mortgage.
Take Sunset: Will there be any changes to the loan process in 2012?
Scott: Rates should hold below 5% throughout 2012 and may even dip below 4%, as they have a couple times in the last few weeks. This should be a major incentive to anyone wanting to buy a home, but we’ve all been spoiled by the low rates of the last 5 years. Just keep in mind that rates will go up at some point in the future and when that happens, buyers can lose about $50,000 of purchasing power per every 1.00% of interest rate increase. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan limits will hold steady at a max loan amount of $729,750, traditional mortgages will have a ceiling of $625,500, and “jumbo” loans of over $625,500 will continue to require 20% – 25% down. Buyers also have to have above average credit scores to qualify for jumbo loans.
Take Sunset: What advice do you have for buyers looking to qualify for a loan in 2012?
Scott: Talk to a lender early and often. Getting pre-approved in advance is crucial for a successful loan closing. If you’ve been previously approved for a loan, do not file your 2011 taxes until a lender reviews them to ensure that your income levels have remained the same or increased since your original pre-approval. Pay-off any credit card debt acquired during the holidays as quickly as possible, but don’t close the credit card after you pay it down to a $0 balance.
Take Sunset: Speaking of tax time, do you have advice for self-employed prospective buyers when they file their taxes? Read more…
The Pilates Bodyshop In Silver Lake
I’ve been going to The Pilates Bodyshop for a little over a month now and I am totally hooked. I’ve always wanted to take lessons, but Pilates seemed a bit intimidating–all those leather straps and torture device-looking machines. But I had a feeling The Pilates Bodyshop was the place to try it out. They have a well-organized website where you can schedule appointments online, which is a must for me! And after my first lesson, I was hooked. Totally befuddled, but hooked. Pilates challenges my mind and body while stretching out muscles that are overworked from running. (I always knew my hamstrings were tight, but now I know exactly how tight.) The teachers at The Bodyshop are a major reason I’ve had such a great experience–they’re extremely patient and positive, and the studio is well run and organized. I just can’t say enough good things!
Owner and teacher Kerri Campbell sat down with Take Sunset to answer some questions about Pilates, how she decided to open a studio in Silver Lake, and where she goes once she takes off the “black unitard”. Plus, don’t miss a special Pilates Bodyshop discount just for Take Sunset readers!
Take Sunset: How did you get started in Pilates?
Kerri Campbell: I first experienced mat Pilates on a bare linoleum floor in college. The class was made up of professional dancers and me, the lone writing student who couldn’t touch her toes. It was more then a little disheartening, but I loved the work. During my junior year I was hit by a car and had multiple injuries to rehab, so I sought out a teacher who could train me one-on-one. After three or four lessons, I was moving better then I had since my accident.
TS: How did you start teaching Pilates?
Kerri: When I moved to Los Angeles, I couldn’t find a teacher with the depth of knowledge I was seeking, so I enrolled in my first teaching program with the goal of teaching myself. But after my student teaching was complete, I realized I wanted to pursue Pilates as a career.
TS: For the uninitiated, can you give us some Pilates basics?
Kerri: Pilates is close to a hundred years old and is based on the work and teachings of Joseph H. Pilates. It’s a movement practice where you use your mind to move your body, thereby creating deep and meaningful changes. Pilates can be done on both specially designed equipment and without, as in Pilates Mat. As Fletcher would say, “Movement is like life. You get out of it what you put into it.”
TS: Speaking of which, at The Pilates Bodyshop, you teach Fletcher Pilates. What makes this style of Pilates unique?
Kerri: Fletcher Pilates® is a trademarked lineage of Pilates that was created by our teacher Ron Fletcher who brought Pilates to LA in 1972. It not only encompasses the original Pilates repertoire, but also has many innovations and additional elements, such as Fletcher Towelwork™, Fletcher Floorwork™, Fletcher Barrework™, and Percussive breath. We look at Pilates as a movement practice, an art, and a science. This isn’t just “working out” or trying to beat the body down–we’re trying to teach the body to move better and thereby look better.
TS: Who can benefit from Pilates?
Kerri: Anyone who has an interest in exploring their body’s full potential. This work is open to all–the young, the old, the hip, the injured, those in great shape, and those with no shape. It’s our job to help you develop a practice that works for you.
TS: I love your attitude. I can speak to the fact that you create a very welcoming and laid-back atmosphere while also being very serious about Pilates. Can you talk about why you wanted to open your own studio?
Kerri: I wanted to be instrumental in creating a positive and open space for people to explore this work. Having worked for some great business people–and some not so ethical people–in the past, I wanted to take all I had learned and try something a little out of the ordinary. My first studio is in Atwater Village inside The Paddock Riding Club and is a private studio for riders. Once we had a few more teachers complete the Pilates Program of Study, I wanted to expand so we could offer this work to a wider group of people. The goal was to have a large, fully equipped studio where we taught as a team and all of the teachers had the same education, so our clients had a seamless experience and progress with each lesson.
TS: What makes The Pilates Bodyshop different from other Pilates studios in the area?
The Establishment Salon In Silver Lake
As those of you who live in Silver Lake know, the section of W Silver Lake Dr to Rowena has been closed due to construction for like ever forcing everyone to take the windy backroads. But the city of LA is finally done doing whatever it is they were doing, and getting to Trader Joe’s is now less headachey. Although, once you’re there–bring some Advil. Driving that stretch of Rowena has alerted me to two brand new businesses: The Pilates Bodyshop (which is awesome!) and The Establishment Salon, which officially opens tomorrow, June 15th.
The Establishment is a full service Aveda salon and spa and it will be open for business seven days a week–practically unheard of in the industry where Monday is a mandatory day off. Establishment owners/husband and wife Carly Flynn and Howie Goldklang have owned Establishment’s flagship location in Milwaukee since 2004, and they’re fulfilling a long-term dream by moving back to Los Angeles–their “adventureland”. Howie was cool enough to answer some of Take Sunset’s questions, and he even provided a 20% off code just for Take Sunset readers, so don’t miss that at the end!
Take Sunset: How long have you and Carly been in the hair business?
Howie Goldklang: Carly has been a stylist and makeup artist for 16 years. Before opening our flagship Establishment location in 2004, she was on the floor at Trio (Chicago), Bumble and bumble (NYC) and Rudy’s Barbershop (LA). My salon life starts a bit later–I worked primarily in film and production, but after about 3 years as a salon owner, I went to beauty school so I could get a better understanding of life behind the chair.
TS: Why did you want to open a salon in LA? And specifically, in Silver Lake?
Goldklang: I’m a New Yorker and Carly is from Milwaukee, but we met in LA, so LA has always been our neutral adventureland. Opening Establishment LA stemmed from an idea Carly shared with her roommate from beauty school who is an LA-based stylist. As the new salon project grew, our friend decided to focus on her freelance career, which she is rocking! But the fire was lit for Carly and me to move back to LA and make the salon work. Silver Lake is a perfect fit–it’s unique to LA, everyone seems so multifaceted, fit, energetic, diverse, artistic, and vibrant. It has the street life and subtle energy of NYC and the laid back, neighborhood charm of the Midwest. We couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
TS: How does The Establishment standout from other salons in the area?
Goldklang: First of all, we’re open 7 days a week! Brunch and salon day on Sundays? Yes! Service Industry Mondays? Yes! Also, we were blown away by the cool, down-to-earth stylists we were able to hire. Their skills were so strong, clean, and creative. And I think our clients will be pleasantly surprised by the accessible, family oriented, laid back vibe of our salon–all while delivering high-end services. And lastly, we’re an Aveda concept salon, so the high quality salon experience will help us stand out, too.
TS: What services do you offer?
Goldklang: We will offer men’s and women’s haircuts and color, full service waxing from brows to Brazilian, Aveda spa facials, makeup application, extensions, product eduction, and rocking out good music.
More of TS’s interview with Howie Goldklang about The Establishment Salon and a 20% off code just for Take Sunset readers, after the break!
Inhabit Vacations
I so need a vacation. But when faced with planning a trip–booking tickets, renting a car, figuring out where to stay, even where to go–I get overwhelmed and my brain shuts down. I think the best trips are when you know someone in a great city, with an amazing place to stay, who can tell you about the good places to go. Even better if you get the place to yourself!
That’s what Inhabit Vacations offers: A perfectly curated selection of over 80 vacation rentals in San Francisco, Sonoma Wine Country, and Portland, with Paris to launch at the beginning of June and Seattle in late June. Inhabit carefully screens each vacation rental property to make sure it’s stylish, comfortable, well-kept, and representative of the essence of its location. “We say ‘no’ to a lot of properties,” says Founder Rebecca Rosenfelt (also founder & editor of Real Savvy Real Estate). “We’d rather have a handful of perfect spots than 100 that are just ‘ok.’”
High on the list of importance when selecting properties is aesthetic appeal. “Architecture is one of the most important things we look for when selecting properties,” Rebecca says. “We want our homes to reflect the local area, and one of the strongest aspects of local culture is the architecture. Santa Fe wouldn’t be Santa Fe without the adobe style homes. Can you imagine San Francisco without the Victorians? Same goes for Los Angeles and its famed mid-century architecture. Beyond the bones of a home, we look to see that the owner has carried that style inside as well, and perhaps added their own personal twist. That is the ideal Inhabit home.
Aside from architecture and local character, all Inhabit rentals come with the little extras that make for a perfect stay, plus basic amenities like linens, fully equipped kitchens, Internet access, and safety considerations. Inhabit also creates lists of recommendations based on insider information from locals. “The idea is to go beyond standard guidebook fare and list interesting things that you might not know about unless you’re from the area,” Rebecca explains.
Since Inhabit is careful about their rentals, so they are not growing overly fast. However, their ultimate goal is to go global. “So anywhere you want to visit, you can find a great recommendation,” Rebecca says. Right now they’re working on developing the Portland and Seattle markets, but next up are properties in New York, LA, and perhaps a couple Caribbean islands.
“LA is definitely next on the list for West Coast locations,” Rebecca continues. “We hope to add properties in the Silver Lake/Los Feliz/Echo Park area. I love finding gems in neighborhoods where locals actually live. Helping tourists live like locals, or helping grandparents find somewhere to stay while they visit their grandkids, is so gratifying. Rebecca adds that West Hollywood and Santa Monica also have a special place in her heart and those spots might make the list too. “You and your readers are the experts though,” she says, “so I’m open to suggestions about where we should focus!”
Do you have suggestions for great vacation rentals or areas in LA for Inhabit Vacations? Leave a comment!
(Photos from Inhabit Vacations rental properties. From top: Modern Urban Retreat in Petaluma, CA; entryway & kitchen at White Designer Mansion in San Francisco; and Stylish Treat Retreat in San Fransisco.)
Vidal Sasson Renovates Neutra’s Singleton House
Vidal Sassoon revolutionized hairstyling in the 1960s. His easy-to-maintain, precision cut bobs and geometric shapes modernized women’s hair. Sassoon is credited with inventing the five-point haircut to complement the bone structure of model and Vogue creative director, Grace Coddington. He gave Mia Farrow her famous pixie cut for the 1968 film Rosemary’s Baby, and his most famous cut at the time was the asymmetrical bob or the Nancy Kwan, which he cut for the actress’s role in the 1963 comedy The Wild Affair. “My whole work, beginning in the late 1950s, came from the Bauhaus,” Sassoon explains in April’s Architectural Digest. “It was all about studying the bone structure of the face, to bring out the character. Architects have always been my heroes,” he adds.
With his love of architecture, it makes sense that in 2004 for $6 million, Sassoon and wife Ronnie purchased the iconic Singleton House designed by Richard Neutra. The home was originally commissioned in 1959 by industrialist Henry Singleton for its spectacular Bel Air location atop Mulholland Drive with views of the Pacific, downtown, the desert, and San Gabriel Mountains.
When the couple purchased the Singleton House, it was in disrepair. Just two weeks after closing, part of the roof collapsed, and a few months later a huge chunk of the property slid into the neighbor’s yard. Due to dry rot and modern code requirements, the Sassoons did extensive rebuilding of the home. They worked with contractor Scott Werker of GW Associates of L.A. to replace the damaged ceilings, pour new terrazzo floors, and remove a number of walls to create larger, brighter interior spaces. They also added a master bedroom suite, which Ronnie designed with Werker and building planner Tim Campbell. Ronnie, however, is unapologetic about any changes they made. “Unless the house is a museum, or you only spend a few weeks a year there, you just can’t live this way today. And given how valuable the land is, the house would have been torn down,” she says. (Which is exactly what is potentially happening with Richard Neutra’s 1955 Kronish House in Beverly Hills.)
After the remodel was complete, the couple turned to close friend and decorator Martyn Lawrence-Bullard for advice on the interiors. The kitchen features a Saarinen Tulip table and chairs by Knoll and built-in cabinets by Neutra; the hanging cabinet and stool are by Jean Prouvé.
Left out of the Architectural Digest article, is mention of the fact that the Sassoons have been trying to sell the Singleton House on and off since 2007. (Although, what better advertisement for the home?) They listed the 5+ acre, 4 bedroom, 5 bath residence for $20M in 2007. It was on the market for 471 days and then taken off until February of 2009, when it was re-listed with an asking price of $14.995M. It’s now back off the market.
See more of Neutra’s Singleton House, after the break!
Rodarte In LA
Rodarte: States of Matter presents works in fashion and costume design by Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte, including original ballet costumes for Black Swan. This is Rodarte’s first west coast exhibition. It is open now through June 5th at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Kate and Laura are California natives–born and raised in Pasadena, they returned to after college at UC Berkeley to launch Rodarte in 2005. The sisters recently gave Nowness an itinerary of their off-the-beaten-path hangouts in LA…
The Magic Castle – 7001 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028
This is one of the coolest places in LA. It’s a historic magicians club. We love to see sleight-of-hand experts and listen to Erma the ghost play the piano.
Bob Baker Marionette Theater – 1345 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Bob makes all of his amazing marionettes and his performances are brilliant. His Nutcracker Suite is sold out every year.
The Natural History Museum – 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007
The gem room is our favorite room in Los Angeles. It’s lit in pale yellow and houses an incredible collection of Gold Rush jewelry. The walls are lined with glass shelves tinted by the jewel tones that rest on top.
2220 Reservoir Street In Echo Park
2220 Reservoir Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026
2 BR, 2 BA Main House + Studio Apartment
Listed for $749,000
Sold for $739,000
The newest offering from ModOp Design is a top to bottom remodeled craftsman in the heart of Echo Park, close to the restaurants and shops of Sunset Junction and to the Silver Lake Reservoir.
The beautifully restored 1,300 square foot main house has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, a private deck, and yard. There are numerous upgrades, including restored original redwood siding, solid oak floors, custom birch cabinets, Carrera marble bath counters, solid wood window frames, Heath tile accents, and stainless steel appliances.
There are energy efficient upgrades throughout including a tankless water heater, no VOC paint, drought tolerant landscape, and low-E dual pane windows & french doors.
The property is a legal duplex and includes a separate studio apartment with 400 square feet of space above the finished garage. The apartment includes its own fenced-in yard (with a wet bar!) and downtown view. You can rent this space for income or use it as a guesthouse or home office.
After the break, more photos of 2220 Reservoir, plus an interview with Greg Steinberg of ModOp Design. Greg answers Take Sunset’s questions about the renovations of this 89-year-old craftsman home, including how he removed the stucco exterior and other details. Check it out!
Interview With Lipetz House Owner Bill Macomber
One of the best parts about living in Silver Lake is that you’re surrounded by amazing examples of architecture while you’re just out walking the dog. One of my favorite homes is just a few streets up from us–the incredible Lipetz House. It was Raphael Soriano’s first residential commission in 1936. The home features a streamline moderne style with a large 15′ by 32′ semicircle all-glass room that was designed to be a music room for the original owner’s Grand piano. The home was photographed by Julius Shulman, which he talked about in his autobiography:
At the location I met Soriano, sitting on the newly carpeted living room floor eating lunch. I shared a sandwich with him, and described my meeting with Neutra, which surprised him. Neutra, he stated, was a tyrant with photographers. That utterance was followed by him asking, “Would you photograph this house when it is completed?” Not only did I photograph the house several months later, but subsequently its publication in this country and abroad served to showcase Soriano’s design and my talents.
The Lipetz House sold in 2007 (after being owned for 70 years by a previously owner) to its new owners Bill and Annie Macomber who quickly got to work renovating the home.
After tweeting about my love for Lipetz House, Bill tweeted me back and wound up inviting me over to take a look at his place and agreeing to do an interview about his home and the renovation process.
Take Sunset: What originally drew you to this home?
Bill Macomber: We were in the market for something that we connected with. The living room is amazing, and we immediately felt that we could rehabilitate the house to be a great place to raise a family.
TS: What condition was the home in when you acquired it?
Macomber: It was a granny house–lived in for many years without any improvements. But the roof was good and the former owners had taken good care of it. The original architecture had been compromised, mainly in the ’50s. A shower was added and a breakfast nook was added as well. The original garage was removed and a carport replaced it. The house was originally a party house–not one that was fit to raise two boys. So the incremental changed made sense seen through that lens. But to us, we wanted to start over and go back to Soriano’s original design as much as possible. Interestingly, the original 1936 construction faired very well, while the construction in the ’50′s needed to be completely replaced. It really speaks to the shift in building philosophy that occurred during the war.
Check out the rest of our interview and more pictures of the Lipetz House, after the break!
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