1833 Echo Park Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90026
4 BR, 3BA (plus 1BR, 1BA rental unit)
$775,000

Those looking for a new home in the hills of Echo Park know that new listings in this price range have been slow as of late. This classic 1920s Craftsman home has an abundance of charm, space (plenty of storage, closets and parking) and is in a great location. Fix up the main house and rent out the back cottage and you’re getting yourself a great deal here.

The house features numerous built-ins and original hardwood floors.

There are two decks and great views of the Echo Park hills.

All the systems have been recently updated – electrical, plumbing, roof and foundation. If you’d like to see this great new Echo Park listing send me an email or call me at 323-775-6305.

More info and pics of 1833 Echo Park Ave.

Listing courtesy of Ken Shapiro, Silverwood Properties.

2133 Park Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90026
5 BR, 4.5 BA
$949,000

This contemporary home is located on the most sought after street in the Elysian Heights section of Echo Park. Designed with beautiful walls of glass and six balconies, the home features spectacular views from treetop to Elysian Park, downtown to the ocean, mountains to the Hollywood Sign.

There are 2 bedrooms and 2 baths on the entry level, along with an attached bonus guest apartment with a private entrance. A formal living room with a fireplace, a dining/family room, and an eat-in kitchen are located on the second level. The master suite, fourth bedroom, and bath are all located on the top floor. There are lovely bamboo floors throughout much of the home.

There’s also a stairway leading to the large terraced yard. If you would like to schedule a showing, call me at 323-775-6305 or email me!

More info and photos of 2133 Park Dr.

A while back I wrote about artist/designer Kelly Lamb’s beautiful geo-birdhouses, planters, and terrariums. Kelly has also designed interiors for Malo restaurant in Silver Lake, the Echo nightclub in Echo Park, and she’s designed and produced artist’s campaigns with corporations like Salvatore Ferragamo and Coke. And she also renovates old homes. After reading up on Kelly, I just had to bug her for an interview. And, awesomely, she complied.

Take Sunset: I heard that you renovated a 100 year old home in upstate New York before relocating to California. What was that experience like?

Kelly Lamb: Yes, I renovated a big house built in 1906 in upstate New York. It was a crazy undertaking. As with something that old, you never really know what you are going to get when you dig in. The thing I really enjoyed about it was seeing the different layers of transition the house had taken over time. Each previous owner had marked the property with their tastes and personality. It was a trip to peel away the different layers and try to imagine what was going on in the home at a particular time. All the layers gave the house a crazy personality. There was a disco in the basement from the 70s, and there was beautiful stonework from the turn of the century. It was really fun and interesting for me to take into consideration all the things the house had been and add to the legacy of the home’s architecture and design.

Take Sunset: Have you renovated any homes here in Los Angeles?

Kelly Lamb: I just finished doing a house in LA that was built in the same year as the one in upstate NY. The process was very similar to what happened in NY, but the history was obviously more California based, and the weather had not taken as big of a toll on the structure itself as it did to the upstate NY property.

Take Sunset: How did you get involved in doing commercial interiors for restaurants and clubs like Malo and Echo? It seems like the creative process would be very different than working on individual art pieces.

Kelly Lamb: When I moved to LA, I got involved doing interiors for commercial venues. One thing led to another and I was asked to do the interiors for part of the Echo nightclub, which led me to doing Malo and so on. Yes, the process is very different than doing an individual art piece because ultimately it is a collaboration with the owners of the venue, where as art is a solo venture. I also look at doing interior design as collaboration with the audience or the “customer,” as I take into consideration how the final product is going to be used and perceived by the public. When I was making art, these ideas were not really as much a part of my practice.

Take Sunset: I love your terrariums and geo-birdhouses pieces. Can you talk a bit about the intention behind those pieces?

Kelly Lamb: The geo-bird house and terrariums are really a little celebration of nature. Moving to LA after being in New York City for 15 years has been very inspirational to me. The sun, the landscape, the plants, and animals… I’m in love with the atmosphere here, I guess. In a way the terrariums and geo-birdhouse are my way of housing or encapsulating these things…

Take Sunset: So, you’re happy living in Los Angeles?

Kelly Lamb: LA has been great for me. I grew up on the east coast of Massachusetts, went to school in Vermont, and then moved to New York City. The East Coast has its own rugged beauty that is for sure ingrained in me, but I feel like I have been able to tap into a new part of myself here in the West that would not have been possible if I had stayed in New York.

Take Sunset: What neighborhood do you live in?

Kelly Lamb: I live in Silver Lake on a beautiful compound that my friend owns called The Paramour. I’m very lucky. [Editor Note: I totally need to do a whole post on that!]

Take Sunset: Where are some of your favorite places to shop and hang out in LA?

Kelly Lamb: Mohawk General Store in Echo Park is one of my favorite shops. Bo and Kevin Carney own it and are my good friends. They do a great job finding all sorts of amazing things and they carry my stuff! The margaritas at Malo are king, and I dig Amoeba for record shopping and the ArcLight rules for movies.

Take Sunset: What are you currently working on?

Kelly Lamb: Right now, I’m building out my line of ceramics. And I am also renovating a bar.

Thanks so much for this interview, Kelly! For more information on Kelly Lamb, and to purchase her artwork, go to kellylamb.net.

Kristin Kilmer of Kristin Kilmer Design, Inc. has been the interior designer of some of the most architecturally significant homes in Los Angeles, including John Lautner’s Wolff House and Stevens House, R.M. Schindler’s How House, and Ray Kappe’s Canna Road House. Kilmer combines the theories and practices of the mid-century masters with the current materials of today to create her “Eco Modern Luxury” approach to design. Her company uses the fundamental green values, demonstrating that design can be both sustainable and luxurious. Kilmer took a few moments out of her busy schedule to talk to Take Sunset about how she started working with mid-century masterpieces, how she gets into the mind of Schindler and Lautner, and what she’s doing in Grey’s Anatomy’s Sara Ramirez’s bathroom in Echo Park…

Take Sunset: How did you start working with architecturally significant homes in Los Angeles?

Kristin Kilmer: It was a bit of a fluke actually. I’d just returned from studying interior architecture at the Instituto Europea di Design in Madrid and was working at Design Within Reach, where I generated private clients while still being one of the top sales people. Michael LaFetra walked in on a Sunday afternoon and we immediately hit it off. He asked me to help him with his Ray Kappe house for the upcoming architectural tour. We had such a synergy that within a week, he asked me to design the Schindler How House as well. My last day of work, in walked Richard Baker, who owned a mid-century in Los Feliz, and he hired me as well. Talk about beginner’s luck!

Take Sunset: What are the biggest challenges when working on these homes?

Kilmer: Each one is really like a “Master Thesis” in the sense that it is important to really get inside the heads of the architects–to study and know their methodologies, history, ideology, and what made them innovative during their time period. Each one broke boundaries in architecture during their time and executed what their peers deemed impossible. Schindler built on concrete and invented a new way of framing, Launter defied gravity in ways never before thought possible… Moreover, it’s fundamental to respect the architectural integrity of the home and not just stick a Barcelona chair in the space and call it a day.

For the Schindler house, I kept everything on his 16” module while keeping his table low–just like he insisted upon during those days. I recreated a lot of his lines and architectural features as well. For example, he used a specific drip strip molding in between the windowpanes, which inspired the edge of the dining room tabletop. For the lighting downstairs, I maintained his lines as well, but asked myself, “what would he do if he were alive today?” From there, I created a more contemporary look with the lighting pieces.

For the Lautner Wolff House, I incorporated vintage, natural pieces that juxtaposed with the exterior, but also with all of the interior stone. I followed the curves and angles by adding mid-century curvilinear furniture, but I also updated the home with some contemporary sustainable pieces that integrated perfectly, such as swivel chairs incorporated with cork fabric. The sofa followed the exact same lines and the spiral staircase and a cantilevered bookshelf emphasized the steps that jetted out from the stone in the same fashion–a genius way of engineering. I really put a lot of thought into my designs. The planning and conceptual phase is fundamental. I always say, Good design takes time!

Take Sunset: What is the most memorable project that you’ve worked on?

Kilmer: I would have to say the Lautner Wolff house. I was given a lot of creative freedom on that project because I knew Michael LaFetra’s taste and style by that time. And let’s face it. It’s a Lautner!

Take Sunset: What projects are you working on right now?

Kilmer: I’m working with Sara Ramirez from Grey’s Anatomy. We are doing a really innovative spa bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub designed on a platform in such a way that it almost looks like an infinity pool overlooking the hills in Echo Park. She is really into sustainability, so we are also incorporating a grey water system and focusing a lot on creating the space as a very healthy sanctuary. It is my most challenging project to date because the interior architecture that I designed is so complex that every square inch has to be micro-managed. Sara is an absolute dream to work with, as is the contractor Larry Byrnes, so I’m excited for the outcome! Sara has lived in extremely modest conditions up to this point in her life, and this is her first present to herself!

I’m also just finishing up the first prefab, modular LivingHome to be ever be installed in Orange County in Newport Beach. I custom designed practically all of the furniture for that home to integrate more storage and functionality. I believe part of being sustainable is creating modular pieces, so their twin teenager’s beds have drawers that can be dismantled and flat packed for easy transport.

I’m also the designer of the Go Green Home in Playa del Rey. As of right now, it has one of the highest Leed Platinum ratings to date and features the first solar powered eco elevator that runs on less electricity that a hair dryer.

Take Sunset: Wow, that’s amazing! In general, what are you goals when you start a new project?

Kilmer: First and foremost, my principal goal is to bring out my client’s vision and creativity, and to make it a co-creative process. I really don’t like it when a designer comes in and bullies someone into their own vision without considering the client’s needs. I will, however, veto something if I know if won’t work proportionally or it’s too trendy and they will tire of it. Longevity is really important. When I was a younger designer, I wasn’t confident enough to stand up for my hesitancy. But whenever I didn’t, the client was unhappy with their decision in the long run, and they would ended up wasting money because we would have to re-do it to what I originally advised!

I’m a sustainable designer, so a major goal is to keep renewable resources and energy efficiency in mind. Most importantly, non-toxicity in the home is key. We can’t save the planet if we are sick from poisons and mold in the home. And I always try to maintain the architectural integrity of the home both in the interior and how it juxtaposes with the exterior environment.

Other goals are to keep the process as stress-free as possible for the client, keep production running smoothly, maintain clear communication, solve problems quickly, stay within budget, and show clients their numbers with detailed spreadsheets and invoices. It’s frustrating to me that in the design world the schools don’t teach students any business skills. Luckily, I was in a few other professions before design because without that background, I would be dead already! On a day-to-day basis, very little of what we actually do is design. The bottom line is that you are running a business and wearing many hats. That’s the first thing my interns and assistants learn, and they are shocked. But ultimately, they are really grateful for the experience because they learn to run a business, and not how to be just designers.

Take Sunset: What is your favorite neighborhood in LA and why?

Kilmer: My favorite neighborhood is Venice, over by the pier where it’s more private and away from the boardwalk. I live right on Ocean Front walk, so I can walk and ride my bike anywhere on the weekends. Venice has a great sense of community, and the west side is at the forefront of the sustainable community. I really admire the work of David Hertz, and a lot of his houses are right by my place.

Thank you so much for this fascinating interview, Kristin! We look forward to keeping an eye on all your upcoming projects. Check out more about Kristin Kilmer on her website: kristinkilmerdesign.com.

2424 Echo Park Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90026
3 BR, 1.75 BA
$729,000

This secluded, Craftsman style, hillside home was built in 1911 and features breathtaking views from Glendale to Mt. Wilson. The home is 1,964 square feet and sits on a 6,229 square foot lot. It features a very open floor plan with lots of windows to enjoy the views.

Original details have been retained. Crown moldings, hardwood floors, window boxes, period switches, and light fixtures have all been preserved and restored. The large living room includes an arts and crafts fireplace.

Check out more of the home, plus the great backyard and amazing views, after the break!

The kitchen has been completely renovated and includes tile counters and new picture windows.  There is also a formal dining room and a den–both of which have built-in bookcases.

Each bedroom connects to the exterior deck.

Check out that beautiful deck with amazing canyon and mountain views.

Love the nicely landscaped front yard! Not much has been going on in this part of Echo Park lately, but this listing looks promising. If you’d like to schedule a showing call me at 323-775-6305 or email me!

More info and photos of 2424 Echo Park Ave.

Work is underway on last year’s most talked about Echo Park fixer: 2312 Valentine. Matt Morgus from SunsetJunctionRealEstate.com sent me these photos he took this morning of the progress that has been made so far. Good to see that the atrium in the back is being kept intact….for now. Clearly there is still a lot of work left to be done.

If you live in the area and have any more info about the work being done on this house please let us know in the comments!

The House: 16029 Meadowcrest
What I Said About It: “A number of trademark mid-century touches can be found – sliding room dividers, pocket doors, questionable paint choices – that will make this well-preserved home very appealing to many buyers.”
Listing Date: 3/1/2010
Original Listing Price: $849,000
Sold For: $900,000 in 4 days
Verdict: From what I heard this house received well over 20 offers and possibly went all cash. This was the right house, at the right price, in the right location at the right time.

The House: 2235 Lake Shore
What I Said About It: “You don’t see many one bedrooms for $499,000 very often!”
Listing Date: 2/21/2010
Original Listing Price: $499,000
Sold For: $487,500 in 13 days
Verdict: There was a mini wave of one bedrooms in this price range in Echo Park and all of them are selling. This went slightly below asking, but clearly there is a market right now for this type of home for the right buyer.

The House: 2348 Cove
What I Said About It: “Located on a flat lot up in the hills on the east side of the Silver Lake Reservoir, this is the kind of mid-century modern that we all lust over.”
Listing Date: 2/2/2010
Original Listing Price: $1,299,000
Sold For: $1,179,00 (all cash) in 14 days
Verdict: While it went below asking, I’m sure the sellers were happy to get an all cash offer at this price point.

The House: 1701 Clinton #515
Listing Date: 2/26/2010
Original Listing Price: $349,000
Sold For: $373,000 in 12 days
Verdict: This was my listing so of course I had to include it. Multiple offers and 7% over asking in only 12 days lead to some very happy sellers! If you’d like to talk to me about listing your house or condo call me at 323-775-6305 or email me.

1475 Wallace Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90026
2 BR, 1 BA
$395,000

It’s nice to see an affordable and move-in ready two-bedroom home in Echo Park even if it is small (737 square feet). This 1914 California Bungalow in Angelino Heights has been upgraded and remodeled for its new owner. A redone kitchen and bathroom, copper plumbing and new foundation are some very desirable fixes. Orignal hardwood floors, 15-foot ceilings and a bonus storage/laundry room add even more value while the Mills Act historic status reduces property taxes. Not bad at all.

Nice kitchen with new appliances. Too much green though? Possibly.

Located just south of Sunset near Echo Park Lake this is in a great location as well. Shouldn’t be long before someone snatches this up.

More info and photos of 1475 Wallace Ave.

As you guys might know, I help Rob out on Take Sunset writing about shops, restaurants, and events around LA, but my main gig is my site Hair On The Brain—a site dedicated to all things hair related. When I saw that Michelle Mann, formerly of Refuge Salon in Silver Lake, had opened her own salon, Rock Paper Salon in Echo Park, I knew I had to interview her. I’d briefly met Michelle when she was cutting Rob’s hair last year and we’d chatted about men’s haircuts. She was super cool and did an amazing job on his hair. I had a feeling Michelle would wind up opening her own salon someday and, well, that day is here! Rock Paper Salon opened earlier this month. Michelle took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions about her new salon, Echo Park, and my favorite topic–hair.

Take Sunset: How did you decide to open your own salon?

Michelle Mann: I am a very particular person. This aspect of my personality comes out the most when I’m at work. Hair color has to glow in a certain way, cuts have to fall just right, and the product bottles have to be spaced just so… As soon as I got out of hair school at Vidal Sassoon, I realized that someday I would have to open my own salon. I love picking out the details of everything. It makes me so happy to know that I can make the space anything I want it to be–within reason.

Take Sunset: What has the transition from working in someone else’s salon to owning your own place been like?

Michelle: The transition from my last salon to my new shop felt like a high-speed chase. I was working 13-18 hour days. I kept my normal schedule at work until the very end. My last day at my old job was on a Friday. It was bittersweet; everyone was so amazing and supportive. They got me flowers and champagne. I had a glass as I packed up my things. I moved my stuff to the new salon and opened the following Tuesday. I didn’t have much time to contemplate the process as it was happening. You just have to put your nose to the grindstone and hope for the best.

Take Sunset: What kind of vibe do you want Rock Paper Salon to have?

Michelle: Visually, the shop is still a work in progress. I’m a perfectionist, so the aesthetic will continue to evolve. It needs art to be complete, so I’m still looking for pieces of the puzzle. In terms of the feeling, I really want a space that feels comfortable and warm. It’s so nice to have everyone laughing and joking with the whole shop in on the punch line. Some of my happiest moments at past salons were when we all had a good chuckle. I also want people to feel at home. That is a big part of the reason I chose to use household furniture around the shop. I like the idea that people can come in, have a beer or a coffee, and just relax. Another feature I really love is the community bookshelf. People can bring a book they are done with and swap it out for a new one. We still have all the fun trashy magazines, but options are important.

Take Sunset: Why did you want to open your salon in Echo Park?

Michelle: I actually found the space on my way to a friend’s house. I love that strip of Sunset. It feels so vibrant, like it’s constantly changing. It feels like Silver Lake six years ago.

Take Sunset: What are your favorite spots to shop and eat in the neighborhood?

Michelle: Time Travel Mart is amazing, mostly because of the youth writing workshop in the back. Casa Victoria Furniture is an adorable place to get furniture and whatnot. The Park has a delicious barbecue chicken sandwich on the weekday lunch menu. Two Boots is super yummy as well. Echo Curio is a fun spot too. The crowd changes every night and it’s such a intimate space to see a show.

Take Sunset: You cut a lot of men’s hair–what are the current trends in men’s cuts?

Michelle: Personally, I think by the time something is a trend it’s time to avoid it. Hair is part of fashion, so I tend to think in collections. Right now I love “dirty preppy”. That translates to something vintage inspired with a lot of structure, but still a bit rough around the edges. It let’s men have style without looking styled to death. And most importantly it only takes about 30 seconds and a dab of product to toss it into shape in the mornings.

Take Sunset: From your perspective, what are the trends in women’s haircuts and color?

Michelle: California summers are a beautiful thing. I like for spring and summer hair to look like it just got back from a ride to the beach in a classic convertible. Translation: glowingly soft highlights that mimic what the sun would do. Another option is to add lowlights to make the hair richer and add depth while using the natural color as a highlight. This makes re-growth almost invisible. In winter it feels good to blow dry, on a hot summer day it feels terrible. So, as the weather warms up it’s important to adjust haircuts to be specifically well suited to a wash and wear approach.

Take Sunset: What hair product could you not live without?

Michelle: I am obsessed with Davines, especially the Melu products.

Thanks so much, Michelle! If you would like to book an appointment at Rock Paper Salon with Michelle or her other talents stylists, Memosa or Gail, call (213)-250-0900.

Rock Paper Salon
1515 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA, 90026
(213)-250-0900

Photo credit: Racked

2310 Lake Shore Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
1 BR, 1 BA
$419,000

We’ve been seeing some unique one bedrooms pop up in Echo Park lately and you can add this one to the list as well. It’s really cool to see what someone with a little imagination can do to a neglected property. This Craftsman was built in 1914 but restored into a truly unique home. The seller has lovingly maintained original details such as redwood floors and ceilings, a river rock fireplace and living room built-ins. This is a true indoor/outdoor property with terraced gardens, a lily pond and amazing views from all over.

And did I mention there’s even a tiki bar? There is!

I really admire the thought and care that’s gone into this house and the next owner will surely benefit from all the work that’s been done. Can’t wait to see this in person tomorrow at the open house.

Many more photos and more info of 2310 Lake Shore Ave.