1262 N Norman Pl
Los Angeles, CA 90049
3 BR, 2.5 BA
$1,795,000

Here’s a nice updated mid-century (1963) in the hills of Brentwood. This contemporary remodel was done by architect Eric Meyerowitz and designer Brooke Gardner. I really like how light and open it is with a nice flow between the living room, dining room and kitchen. I love the dark oak floors as well. We saw a house yesterday in Encino with similar floors and that really made the house even more amazing in my opinion. Same goes for here.

There is a view of the Getty from the 2nd floor studio, a 3-car garage, an outdoor fireplace and custom water features. A great house from top to bottom.

For more photos and info click here.

Call me at 323-775-6305 or email me to schedule a showing!

Since going on the MAK Tour back in October I have been craving another mid-century home tour. So with that in mind, I am very excited about the Brentwood Home Sixities Home tour sponsored by the LA Conservancy coming up on April 18th. One of the stops is the Franks House (above) – a redwood treehouse bachelor pad notorious with the neighbors for swinging parties. With a hillside view of the ocean it will be great to see in person.

Another featured home is the sprawling custom residence built in 1961 for Dr. and Mrs. Morris Frankel in Mandeville Canyon. Designed by Ephraim Baran, architect of the distinctive Directors Guild of America corporate headquarters in Hollywood, the house is a virtual time capsule of sixties architecture and interior design.

Tickets are $40 for members ($60 for the general public), which includes shuttle transportation and an automatic reservation to the Sixties Residential Architecture Exploration With Jan Horn on Wednesday, April 14 at 8 p.m. Tours will start every half-hour beginning at 10:00 a.m. The entire tour will take approximately 2 1/2 hours to complete.

Since we moved around the corner from Grace Ellay in Silver Lake, I’d been warily eyeing the boutique. I knew if I ventured inside, I’d wind up buying something. Grace Ellay had that look. The look that said: money is going to disappear from your wallet the minute you walk in because you’re going to see things you can’t live without. And when I visited Grace Ellay, I did purchased something, but it didn’t put as much of a dent in my wallet as I expected! The prices are remarkably lower than comparable boutiques, but the quality is super high. The owner, Ramey Arnold, has a great eye for unique clothing, jewelry and art. Ramey was super helpful and friendly, and even agreed to answer some questions about Grace Ellay and her experience owning a boutique in Silver Lake. Check it out!

Take Sunset: When did you open Grace Ellay?

Ramey Arnold: Grace Ellay opened in September 2007, and I have loved every single moment since.

Take Sunset: Why did you want to open your own boutique?

Ramey: I dreamed of opening my own business for almost ten years. I let the dream change and evolve until it took the right shape. Fundamentally, I knew I wanted to open a place that would attract like-minded people. I wanted all of the right elements to be involved, everything that I love: fashion, art, accessories, people, good conversation, wine…

Take Sunset: How would you describe Grace Ellay?

Ramey: I would describe it as a friendly and fashionable neighborhood gem. It’s a place to stop by and chat, pick out clothes that you look and feel good in, fall in love with a piece of art or an accessory, grab a gift for a friend, or just a treat for yourself. I love boutique shopping. So, I really wanted to give people a more affordable boutique option than they are used to. You know, go ahead, treat yourself and don’t feel guilty!

Take Sunset: Your shop kind of doubles as an art gallery–can you talk a bit about that?

Ramey: I have always been surrounded by artists of all kinds, both friends and family. I wanted to build them a platform, celebrate them, and expose them to an entirely new group of soon-to-be collecting and adoring people.

Take Sunset: Why did you want to open your boutique in Silver Lake specifically?

Ramey: I love Silver Lake. It’s fantastic. It has so many elements of other places that I love all rolled up in to this funky little nook. It has the relaxed charm of The South–where chit-chatting on the porch seems like the answer to everything. It reminds me so much of my favorite parts of New York City, too. People out walking, experiencing and enjoying their city!

Take Sunset: Do you live in the neighborhood as well?

Ramey: I actually live in Eagle Rock, which is just a stone’s throw away, but I spend most of my time here in Silver Lake. Most of my friends live on the boulevard and I have always said, ‘Meet your friends at Grace Ellay. I did.’ I love the east side.

Take Sunset: What are some of your favorite restaurants in Silver Lake?

Ramey: Give me pickle tacos at Malo or a tofu noodle bowl at Gingergrass any day.

Take Sunset: What’s coming up at Grace Ellay that we should know about?

Ramey: I have so much new and exciting merchandise coming in every week! Plus, I have really been trying to get the on-line boutique fully stocked. Later in the summer, I will be having a kimono show at the shop, too. I will serve a little sake and feature a local artist. I’m really looking forward to that. Fashion + art + party… My favorite!

Grace Ellay
1615 Silverlake Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 664-0568

I feel too busy for everything these days–getting the dog groomed, going to the dentists, buying a new pair of running shoes. It all gets filled under: Stuff I seriously need to do but…

My New Balance shoes were starting to feel like a 7 layer dip with all the store-bought inserts and arch supports I used to keep them trucking along for a few more miles. And then my ankle started bugging me, and then my knees and lower back started to ache. So before I got a real injury, I knew it was time for new shoes!

Today, I finally headed into A Runner’s Circle in Atwater Village, and I am so glad I did. It’s hands-down the best running shoe store I’ve ever experienced. It’s not huge inside, but they have a good selection of running gear, a lot of which was on sale. I was immediately greeted by Joe, the owner, who was super friendly. He asked me how frequently and long I run, where I run, and then asked me to walk for him and to stand on one foot, so he could check my balance and find out if I overpronate or underpronate. He then measured my feet, and I realized my old running shoes were a half size too small. That’s why I was having pain in my toes! Oops.

Once Joe had thoroughly analyzed everything, he  brought out four pairs of shoes. I tried them on, walked around the store, and even took my two favorites out for a spin down Los Feliz Blvd. I ended up with a great pair of Brooks, a brand I wasn’t very familiar with and probably wouldn’t have even tried on, if it hadn’t been for A Runner’s Circle.

Overall, this shopping experience was A+. The customer service was awesome. Joe was so knowledgeable and helpful and really took his time explaining everything to me. I learned a lot about running shoes and even got some great running tips!

A Runner’s Circle is also very active in the running community, and they have a ARC Run Club, which meets on Thursdays at 6 PM at the store. To be updated about A Runner’s Circle’s sales and events, you can connect with them on Facebook at A-Runners-Circle.

A Runner’s Circle
3216 Los Feliz Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 661-8971

5146 Sophia Ave
Encino, CA 91436
3 BR, 2.5 BA
$1,025,000 $999,000

I meant to post this when it first hit the market a few weeks ago, but it somehow slipped through the cracks. What caught my eye was a charming mid-century ranch home located a stone’s throw from the 101 in Encino (I have yet to visit the house, but I don’t think traffic noise is an issue). I like the indoor/outdoor flow, big backyard with pool (the lot is 10,227 square feet), high beam ceilings, skylights and dual fireplaces.

I also love this cozy den – I really feel that if your home was built in 1950, you really should have a great family den!

It’s only been on the market a few weeks, but there’s already been a price drop. Might be a good time to make an offer. If you want to check it out drop me an email or call me at 323-775-6305.

For more info and photos click here.

3321 Wood Terrace
Los Angeles, CA 90027
2 BR, 1 BA
$539,000

Here’s an affordable little cottage for a buyer who really wants to live in the coveted Ivanhoe School District. In addition to the great neighborhood you get high ceilings, a formal dining room, patio, central air and heating, updated electrical and roofing, and most of the plumbing has been replaced to copper. It’s not the biggest house in the neighborh0od but with the Reservoir and Griffith Park so close by you have quite the playground at your disposal.

The photo below reminds me to ask you all a question I’ve been wondering lately – pets in MLS photos: yay or nay? At first I wasn’t sure about it, but now I kinda like it.

For more info and photos click here.

3542 Division St
Los Angeles, CA 90065
2 BR, 1 BA
$419,000

The agent for this listing describes this as a “real value” and I have to agree. Having spent the last few months searching for well done single family homes in the low $400s for a few clients, I can definitely say this is one of the better ones I’ve seen. This updated 40s traditional has a charming original kitchen updated with stainless steel appliances, a garage, a wet bar and a patio off the kitchen with plenty of room to entertain.

The major drawback to this house is the size. Only 858 square feet and 2 bedrooms will scare off some, but the outdoor space and the condition should make up for that.

I expect this one to get a lot of interest and offers. What do you think?

For more photos and info click here.

There has been quite a lot of chatter about Forage since it opened in Silver Lake. But for those just driving by its Sunset Junction location—as I do daily–it managed to open relatively quietly, nabbing the space previously occupied by Town & Country.

Forage’s menu is right up my alley–super fresh ingredients that rotate with whatever is in season. There are lots of fresh options, like the raved about Pork Belly Sandwich or their daily quiche offering. Particularly tempting are the combo plates where you can order a protein, like Jidori Rotisserie Chicken, and  an option of sides–Market Vegetables, Beets with Citrus-Ginger Slaw, Creamy Scalloped Potatoes and more.

Forage also holds a harvest call every Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. You can drop by with your homegrown produce, and members of Forage’s culinary team will figure out how they can use it on their upcoming menu. They also post forage calls on their site of the produce they’re actively foraging.

On my recent visit to Forage, I was hoping to find a Silver Lake restaurant that offers quick, easy, healthy food–something I think the neighborhood needs. Forage comes close, but overall I was disappointed. First of all, it’s minimal bright and clean inside, but this place is small. And with the five or so people ahead of us in line, it felt cramped. Actually, it was fine at first, but we ended up waiting quite a while for counter service–even though there were as many people behind the counter as there were in front of it. When we finally place our order, there was only one piece of white meat chicken left, which was the main dinner entree of the night. My dinner companion kindly took the dark meat. Not that big of a deal, right? But the piece they gave him was super tiny. And my side of Market Green Salad was literally five pieces of lettuce. And both of our Jidori Chicken entrees were cold. Hmm.

The Foraged Citrus and Beet Salad was good, as was the Baby Broccoli, but overall the dinner was a disappointment. And after spending $13.50 a piece before drinks, we were both still hungry and a little annoyed.

Plus, be aware that if you eat in Forage’s small dinning room, it’s loud. At one point we started laughing because we could barely hear each other. Maybe there was just an extra rambunctious group that night? Still, if I make a trip back to Forage, I’ll be carrying out. As for parking, there is a lot behind the restaurant and metered spots on the street.

It bums me out to have to write a bad review of Forage because I love the concept of the restaurant, and I think we need a place like it in the area. I hope they can step up the service and the quality. For the prices that you’re paying, it should be better.

Forage
3823 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 663-6885

1624 Landa St
Los Angeles, CA 90026
1 BR, 1 BA
$499,000

Here’s another pricey one bedroom in Echo Park (check out last week’s at 2235 Lake Shore). This split-level Craftsman has a lot going for it: high ceilings, fireplace, formal dining room, finished basement and it’s located on a private cul-de-sac at the top of beautiful Elysian Heights. But is one bedroom enough for you? That’s a question prospective buyers will need to answer when they consider this very charming property.

Built in 1913 there is plenty of character throughout – there’s even the original roll-out hide-a-bed intact!

At 1,089 square feet and nice outdoor space this could be a great hideaway for someone living alone or a couple. Would this be enough space for you?

For more photos and information click here. To set up a showing send me an email or call me at 323-775-6305.