Posts Tagged ‘Silver Lake’
Interview with Grace Ellay Owner
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!
Forage in Silver Lake
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.
Avenel Cooperative Unit Hits The Market!
2841 1/2 Avenel St
Los Angeles, CA 90026
3 BR, 1 BA
$749,000
Days like today remind about why I love working in real estate in Los Angeles as this is one of two very exciting listings to hit the market today (check out the other one here). Located in the Avenel Cooperative Housing Project in Silver Lake which helped put Los Angeles on the map as the epicenter for the Modernist movement in American domestic architecture, this property was designed by architect Gregory Ain in 1947. I was able to see four units in this housing complex last October (check out my writeup here) as part of the MAK Tour and I pretty much blown away by the unit’s simplicity, sophistication and charm.
Urban Pet In Silver Lake
The newest addition to the local pet store scene is Urban Pet. Located in the quiet (and somewhat empty) stretch to Santa Monica between Virgil and Hoover, Urban Pet is looking to appeal to local Silver Lake and Los Feliz residents with its healthy and green pet supplies.
Now the largest pet store in the neighborhood, the 4,000 square foot store is home to over 5,000 innovative pet supplies for dogs, cats, fish and reptiles. Aside from a broad selection of premium foods including brands like Evo, California Natural, Karma, Halo, and Wellness, the store stocks organic and environmentally-friendly products including popular items like eco naps made from soda pop bottles, hemp leashes and bio-degradable waste bags.
There will be a launch party this Saturday, March 6th from 6 – 9PM. Food, wine and free valet!
Urban Pet is located at 4475 Santa Monica Boulevard at Virgil. Parking and entrance is behind the store. Open M-F, 9am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 7pm and Sunday, 9am to 6pm. Learn more at www.theurbanpet.net.
2348 Cove Ave In Silver lake
2348 Cove Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
2 BR, 2BA
$1,299,000
In 2005 architect George Mimnaugh reinterpreted Rodney Walker’s original 1953 glass and concrete design by updating it for modern living. The renovation earned the home a Los Angeles Historical-Monument designation in 2007 and now the home is on the market for a hefty price tag. According to Curbed, this home has been a tough sell as it has been on and off the market since the restoration.
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.
I love the true open floor plan, the floor-to-ceiling walls of glass and the stone backdrop.
Read more…
2423 Lanterman Terrace In Silver Lake
2423 Lanterman Terr
Los Angeles, CA 90039
3 BR, 3 BA
2,900 square feet
$1,650,000
This is one of the more expensive homes to hit the market in Silver Lake in a while. While it certainly has size and location (bonus for being in the Ivanhoe School District) going for it, is this a “unique masterpiece of architectural design” that justifies the hefty price tag? I’ll wait until I see it in person this Sunday at the open house to judge.
Designed by architect Tony Unruh, who clearly took a lot of inspiration from mid-century modernism, this house has large expanses of glass that blur the lines between the inside and outside living areas. I particularly like the ceilings:
And the glass separating the inside from the deck is very impressive:
Spice Station in Silver Lake
Tucked down an alley in Sunset Junction between Secret Headquarters comic shop and Town and Country Bakery & Cafe is the newly opened Spice Station. It carries over 100 spices, salts, spice blends and gift sets. Most of the spices come whole and are ground fresh by the ounce, so you can get as much or as little as you need. The walls are lined with spice jars, which you can sample. Prices at the Spice Station are surprisingly reasonable, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
This would be a great place to purchase a unique gift for the foodie in your life or to inject a dose of inspiration into your cooking. From artisanal salts to dried chiles, truffle salt, cardamon, rosemary, and saffron–Spice Station has all your spice needs covered.
Spice Station
3819 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 660-2565
Gobi Mongolian BBQ House In Silver Lake
The other night I finally checked out Gobi Mongolian BBQ House, a restaurant I had been eying for some time now. The concept here is simple and great: grab a big bowl and fill it with meats, veggies, noodles and sauces and then give it to the cook who will fry it up for you on a giant flat-top grill while you watch.
Everything went great until I got to the sauce section – there are 11 to choose from and I found it a bit daunting. I went with a few spoonfuls of spicy sauce, some garlic and then had the cook add the traditional sauce. Looking back I should have a taken a few more risks and added some more flavors, but the dish was still tasty and very fresh.
Gobi gets its veggies from local Farmer’s Markets and you can definitely taste the difference. Overall this is a simple and fun place to go with a group of friends so you can try everyone’s concoctions. The prices are right too – dinner is $13.95 while lunch is $9.95 but you get a ton of food and can definitely take some of it to go. All in all, a welcome addition to the ‘hood.
Gobi Mongolian BBQ House
2827 W. Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Open 11:30am to 11:00pm daily
Refuge For Hair In Silver Lake
Finding a perfect hair stylist is like finding your one true love. You’ve got to get out there and meet people, figure out what you like and don’t like, tolerate some really bad small talk, and make mistakes that leave you looking at yourself in the mirror thinking, what the hell was I thinking?
And even when you do find the one, she might mention over a blowout that she’s moving to San Fransisco. True story, people. (Amber, from Art + Science, I still think about you.) For years after Amber, I slutted around Chicago’s salon scene until I met Julie at Salon Blonde. Julie took me on a hair journey unlike any other. She introduced me to the power of hair color. Julie made me a blonde, a brunette, a redhead–all within the span of a year. But then I left her for L.A.
And I’ve been in a dry spell ever since. I’d gotten one, yes, one hair cut since leaving her. It was a fairly good haircut, but my heart just wasn’t in it. I was still grieving for Julie and our hair color dalliance. But what was I to do? Fly to O’Hare every time I needed a bang trim?
But then I discovered Refuge. Well, to be fair, my boyfriend did. After repeatedly getting the best haircuts of his life at Refuge (from Jessica. Boys, take note!) I finally followed suit and booked an appointment with Refuge’s owner, Miriam. Maybe I’m ready to love again? With Miriam, I barely had to explain what I wanted. She just kinda understood. Sigh. That’s exactly what I need in a stylist. She was super cool, laid back, and gave me a great haircut. Plus, Refuge is very reasonably priced. Bonus!
Miriam also recently opened a beauty school across the street from the salon called Goldbear Academy, a state-of-the-art beauty school that offers cosmetology, esthetician, makeup, massage, cosmetology and continuing-ed programs. This school seems like such a cool, lower-priced alternative to the other cosmo schools in L.A.
Oh and get this: Refuge is going to be featured on Tabatha’s Salon Takeover Season Two on Bravo! Miriam says to expect fireworks between her and Tabatha. I’m setting my DVR now.
1835 Hyperion Ave.
Refuge is open 10-8 Tuesday through Saturday and 12-6 on Sunday
Neutra Office Building In Silver Lake
Richard Neutra’s presence is felt all over Silver Lake. From the iconic homes that adorn the neighborhood to the work of the young architects whom absorbed his style and carried on his legacy, Neutra is often the first name people bring up when talking about “Silver Lake architecture.”
And while many think of the brilliant homes he designed, one of his most famous works is the Neutra Office Building on Glendale Blvd. For 20 years the building served as Neutra’s studio until his death in 1970. This building is the last surviving example of a Neutra commercial design which probably explains the hefty price tag when the building was listed for sale earlier this year. According to Neutra.org the building is still for sale but it does not say for how much. Curbed LA reported $3.5 million but that may have changed.
The Neutra Office Building is listed as a Historic Cultural Monument on the National Register Of Historic Places. The building’s rear apartment was being rented out by Dion Neutra, Richard’s son, earlier this year as well – “only for true Neutra fans” it advised. Would you have made the cut?
Neutra Office Building
2379 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
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Copyright 2009 Take Sunset. Designed by Curt Ziegler.
