Design for Living Larchmont Chronicle MAY 2015
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mmerse yourself in liveable, innovative modern architecture and design— from Brookside to the beach—on three Dwell Home Tours 2015. (Turn to page D-2)
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eighborhood gardens were on full display at the annual Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society party.
(Turn to page D-7)
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MAY 2015
Larchmont Chronicle
Design for Living
Homes on Dwell Tour 2015 let the light and the outdoors in A home on S. Longwood Ave. is on the selfdriven Midtown & East Side Home Tour Sun., May 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Architect Dan Brunn walked into the 1950s
home in 2012 and envisioned raising the ceilings, adding skylights and opening the kitchen. “I love the area. It’s always been my dream to live here,” said the former Beverly Hills resident
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Zavala electric Residential & CommeRCial
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who enjoys the camaraderie of his new neighborhood; his office is in Miracle Mile. Completed in 2014, he also removed the attic and gutted the interior. The traditional façade looks the same as before, but the inside has been transformed, all-the-while maintaining its 2400-square foot footprint. The redesigned backyard features an outside kitchen and Jacuzzi. A hillside landscape in Los Feliz is the setting for a reinvented 1934 Spanish-style house. Historical details preserved, the home was opened to bring the outdoors in and additions include a winter solar room, skylights and operable windows and vents. A newly constructed home in Highland Park with views of the San Gabriel Mountains and a 6,636 square foot home in Pasadena are also on the Midtown & East Side tour. Heading West Five homes on the West Side Home Tour include a 4,660-square foot house which opens up to a similarly sized backyard. The self-driving tour in Santa Monica and Venice takes place on Sat., May 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also on view is a renovated home by midcentury architect Frederick Monhoff, which now features glass folding doors and a remodeled spa.
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A 2,400-square foot home in Santa Monica was built using recyclable, prefabricated panels that are recyclable, fireand termite-proof. Expansive windows, an outdoor kitchen and pool and a green roof are here. A verdant living wall is in the master bathroom and a concrete-clad wine cellar beckons. It was designed with Iceland in mind, after the architect’s homeland and the owner’s favorite vacation spot. Cory Buckner, awarded a 2002 L.A. Preservation Award, updated a Quincy Jones and Whitney R. Smith home in Brentwood with sweeping views. Overhangs provide shade. Architect Neil Denari painted the exterior hot pink of a Mar Vista home after doubling its 1,000-square feet. South Bay Home Tours, from Manhattan Beach to Rancho Palos Verdes, is Sat., May 30. A Koenig renovation among others will be open for viewing. Architects Night Architects speak about their challenges and successes in designing and building the homes featured on all of the tours on Thursdays May 21 and May 28 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. (Locations to be announced.) For more information visit dwellondesign.com.
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Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2015
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Design for Living
Fiber artists find inspiration in ancient stones, patterns Facebook page Watch the artists’ work in progress at facebook.com/ events/770910092965252/
An opening reception is on Sat., June 27 from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Loft at Liz’s, 453 S. La Brea Ave.
The exhibit, “Diverted Destruction 8-Unraveled: the Fabric Edition,” continues through Sept. 8.
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By Suzan Filipek swatch pattern. Other photos Ancient stones in the Peru- also taken by Cameron and vian Highlands and a contem- printed on fabric show ruins porary fabric swatch inspired and the sacred site of Machu Cameron Taylor-Brown’s new Picchu. “Leftover” yarn, embroifiber art quartet. The champagne-colored dery and scraps from previous polyester swatch named “Ma- projects were woven into each jestic Stone” also describes piece. the ruins and the centuries- Fellow artist Carrie Burckold stonework she saw on her le, Windsor Village, was drawn recent travels. to the floral patterns she “I enjoy that ‘majestic’ de- found on a linen sample for scribes both the fabric and her work, “‘Re Bloom’… a stonework… and that repur- metaphor for reinvention and posing is integral to both,” repurposing, bringing new life Cameron writes in her artist to what was to be discarded,” statement for an upcoming she writes. show. “Screen-printing an image She is one of 17 artists fea- of hand-drawn lines created a tured in “Diverted Destruc- layer of mystery and softness tion 8-Unraveled: the Fabric to the surface,” said BurckEdition,” opening at The Loft le. Working in her downtown at Liz’s Art Gallery on June 27 studio, the 21” wide x 34” long in conjunction with California study in pink was dyed, screenFibers. printed and embroidered. The The gallery, at 453 N. La color “represents vulnerabilBrea, is neighbored by uphol- ity, femininity,” adds Burckle, stery, fabric and design stores, who teaches at Cal State Long so gathering discarded fabric Beach. Workshops samples for her eighth annual salvage and recycle-themed Artists from the exhibit will exhibit was a natural for gal- facilitate an adult workshop lery owner Liz Gordon, Cam- Sat., July 11 from 2 to 5 p.m. A family workshop is Sat., July eron said last month. Working in her home stu- 18 from 2 to 5 p.m. Both free. dio on S. Mansfield Blvd., the Visit theloftatlizs.com/upcomartist and teacher found the ing-events. fabric book from among two car loads of silks, linen and other sample books Liz collected for the show. Each artist was charged with making two works; one will be chosen for the curated show. “I did four because I couldn’t help myself,” smiles Cameron, who has learned about textiles and cultures in travels from Bhutan and India to Pantagonia. The new works are small, coffee-table size, SALVAGED FABRIC set the tone for Cameron Taylor-Brown and Carrie which, while they share Burckle works in the upcoming show. a common theme, stand alone. In one, an image of an indigenous woman walks on what looks like a cobbled stone street, but is the fabric
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MAY 2015
Larchmont Chronicle
Design for Living
Small business owners hope to Spruce your space By Billy Taylor When Amber McDermitt met Mary Bell in the summer of 2013 they were working on
a Lloyd Wright house in Pacific Palisades. Hired separately, they found a natural connection and were inspired to start
Spruce Design & Organization. “We worked in collaboration as designer and organizer
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for a complete remodel of the interior and exterior,” says Amber, referring to the Lloyd Wright residence. “And we instantly meshed, personally and professionally.” Bell says once they made the decision to open their own business, they started by researching competition online but couldn’t find anyone concentrating specifically on design and organization. “When you’re organizing a space, you want a certain aesthetic,” says Bell. “But it’s sometimes scary to say ‘I’m going to get a designer for the house’.” The duo want accessibility to be what differentiates their business—located in a home studio on Gower St.—from a traditional interior design firm. “We want to appeal not just to the extremely wealthy, but also to young people with limited time. We want to be available for a wide range of projects,” explains Bell. One way Spruce has simplified the process of working with a designer is an upfront pricing model: “We wanted to keep it simple. We didn’t want it to be intimidating,” explains McDermitt. Services are $100 per hour for one Sprucer, or $150 per hour for two, with a four-hour minimum for each project. In addition to design and organization services, clients also get access to trade discounts at participating retailers. “You can purchase hours and then control how, and when, you spend them”, says McDermitt. “We thought this was the most straightforward way of doing it.” Bell stresses that their services aren’t only for complete remodels: “sometimes it’s just making a space more livable.”
BERKELEY GRADUATE Mary Bell is leaving her job as a teacher to do Spruce fulltime.
INTERIOR DESIGNER Amber McDermitt studied interior design history at Arizona State.
Spruce divides its services into four categories: Get it Together, Refresher, The Whole Shebang, and E-Design. “When you hire an interior designer they can help pick furnishing or fabrics, but they’re not going to put together a complete package,” says McDermitt. “We offer unique services like estate and office manuals for organizing a space, which is different than what you would get at a design firm.” For more information on services provided at Spruce, visit spruceyourspace.org.
Home complemented bride’s beauty, her love of outdoors Tours of an English Tudor home with Craftsman elements by architect Fernand Parmentier continue at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design through Sun., May 17. Built in 1910 at a cost of $32,927; the estate was designed for John Eliot as a honeymoon house for his bride that would complement her beauty and love of the outdoors. It includes the 9,400 square foot main residence, carriage house, pool, Koi pond, outdoor kitchen and wisteria arbor. The 51st annual fundraiser features work by designers who have renovated the estate and grounds. The event supports music and arts programs. Parking and complimentary shuttle service is at the Rose Bowl, Parking Lot I at 360 N. Arroyo Blvd. The Restaurant at Showcase serves light breakfast, lunch and dinner from 9 a.m. until closing. Tickets are $35-$45. To purchase, or for more information, go to pasadenashowcase.org.
Larchmont Chronicle
MAY 2015
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MAY 2015
Larchmont Chronicle
Design for Living
Free the potted plant with tips from ‘Rooted in Design’ Free the common house plant and create a calmer more natural environment at home or work with tips from
“Rooted in Design.” No longer delegated to a pot in the corner, houseplants are bolder and more interesting
than ever thanks to Sprout Home landscape designers Tara Heibel and Tassy de Give. The duo, who are often fea-
tured on TV and radio shows, take a fresh a look into the world of indoor plants, large and small, in the 224-page book, which features 100 color photos. Written for people with green thumbs and everyone else, there are tips on choosing the right plants, containers, soils and care, including the basics: light and water. Succulents, air plants, terrariums and moss walls can add new life to your living space or make a more nutritious one with an indoor edible garden. Find out how to make found-object planters from collectibles such as toys, teapots and birdcages, and learn about the benefits of planting in groups of two or three.
There’s even a quiz at the back to determine what type of plant parent your lifestyle allows. Are you the Design Geek or the French Manicure type? Published by Penguin Random House. The hardcover retails for $25.
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SHOP DIFFERENTLY Artist Cliff Garten talks on state of urban art Artist Cliff Garten will lead a discussion on one of his most recent works, “Los Angeles Opens Its Heart of Compassion,” on Thurs., May 14 from 7 to 8 p.m. The discussion will take place directly under the sculpture on the mezzanine level of The Vermont apartments, 3150 Wilshire Blvd., at the corner of Vermont Ave. Garten, an artist whose work includes sculptures in collections of more than 50 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, will discuss the state of public art within urban centers and how their presence fosters a shared experience on the street, regardless of economic or social status. He will reflect on the demands of creating an iconic piece and will discuss how urban art synthesizes its surrounding environments, infrastructures and cultures, giving the spaces they define a recognizable character. His sculpture at The Vermont is regarded as a keystone in the urban renaissance in Koreatown.
The discussion, titled “Los Angeles Opens Its Heart of Compassion, An Urban Kaleidoscope,” will include Corrine Wietzman, the public art consultant of C. Weitzman Art Advisory, and will be moderated by Erin Cullerton of de LaB. The discussion will be followed by a reception. Space is limited to 60 people. For more information or to RSVP, contact Treanne at treanne@agkmedia.com.
Graham, Burkhardt among 50 painters More than 50 paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture are in Jack Rutberg Fine Arts “Collectible” exhibit at his gallery at 357 N. La Brea Ave. Rare paintings by Irish artist Patrick Graham are on view following their recent national museum tour. The exhibit also includes Swiss-born American Hans Burkhardt’s 1975 painting “La Brea Tar Pits” depicting the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Larchmont Chronicle
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MAY 2015
Design for Living nando’s Hideaway,” built by the one-time owner of the Beverly Hills Hotel, Hernando Courtwright. Designed by architects Gable and Wyant, the acreage includes hanging gar-
dens, passion fruit vines lining the tennis court, a playhouse courtyard and a secret garden lined with bottle art. Eementary schools are eligible for free hands-on science
education tours at the gardens throughout the year. General tickets are $225, VIP $275 and Concierge tickets are $400. For information, go to robinsongardens.org.
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Photo on Page D-1
called Rio del Jardin de las Flores, plays host to crawfish, frogs, minnows, raccoons, koi and migratory birds. One of the gardens contains the Brookledge Theater, where the Studio of Magic was once located. The theater was later owned by the William Larsens whose sons Milt and Bill founded the Magic Castle in Hollywood. The event was sponsored by the Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society
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Dine on the lawn, taste wine and enjoy a fashion show at the Friends of Robinson Gardens tour on Sat., May 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme of the group’s 27th annual garden tour is “Masterpiece.” Grand marshal is British author and actress Victoria Tennant. Built in 1911, The Virginia Robinson mansion was one of the first homes in Beverly Hills. The estate was donated to the city of Beverly Hills shortly before Robinson’s death in 1977. This is the only time during the year that the entire Robinson residence is open for the day, decorated by top florists and designers. Hearst–Davies house Other gardens on this year’s tour include the Beverly House, a 1920’s mini-castle that William Randoph Hearst shared with Marion Davies. Famous for its Paul Thienedesigned lush gardens, the
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Larchmont Chronicle
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