Art Deco Logo for the Taylor Residence, Austin, Texas, Photo Romi CortierTaylor Residence, Austin, Texas, Photo Romi CortierTaylor Residence, Austin, Texas, Photo Romi CortierTaylor Residence, Austin, Texas, Photo Romi CortierTaylor Residence, Austin, Texas, Photo Romi CortierGuest Recio Young at the Taylor Residence, Austin, Texas, Photo Romi CortierTaylor Residence, Austin, Texas, Photo Romi CortierTaylor Residence, Austin, Texas, Photo Romi CortierTaylor Residence, Austin, Texas, Photo Romi CortierTaylor Residence, Austin, Texas, Photo Romi CortierThe Taylor Residence, an Art Deco Revival Home in Austin, Texas, Photo Romi Cortier
Welcome to the Taylor Residence, an Art Deco Revival Home in Austin Texas. Built in 1922, the home was converted to a Colonial Style home in the early 1950’s, hiding it’s true origins behind massive columns. When the current home owner got her hands on it a few years ago, she was determined to return it to it’s Art Deco roots. Inspired by a vintage photo of the home prior to its Colonial conversion that had lasted 60 years, she embarked upon a three year journey to restore the home to it’s original grandeur. To celebrate the completion of the massive project, Mrs. Taylor threw a 1920’s themed bash complete with cigarette girls, a dapper gent rolling cigars, a 20’s band, and over 100 guests decked out in their favorite 20’s attire.
I was thrilled to be invited to the house warming party, and the rechristening of this home as an Art Deco gem in one of Austin’s chicest neighborhoods. From the minute you pull up to the home, you can see that it’s something very special. The attention to detail is remarkable, from the deco inspired railing to the authentic looking casement windows. Inside you’ll find curved ceilings, stunning wall papers, period light fixtures, the most elegant kitchen back splash you’ve ever seen, white marble, white marble, and more white marble. There’s also a hidden wall panel to the right of the fireplace that leads down a spiral staircase to a fully stocked speakeasy.
Did you happen to notice that gorgeous piano… of course you did. You can thank Karl Lagerfeld for this Mondrian inspired work of art. It’s known as The S.L.E.D and was created to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Steinway & Sons. Yes, this rare Limited Edition Piano is signed and highly sought after. The melodic looking painting behind the piano is by celebrated Austin artist Cecil Touchon.
I can’t thank Mrs. Taylor enough for hosting such a Grand and Elegant Affair, it was one of those magical evenings that you never want to end. The food, the music, the company, the residence… it just doesn’t get any better.
Mrs. Taylor and Romi Cortier at the Taylor Residence, Austin Texas, Photo Recio Young
The wild wild west is alive and well in Pioneertown. I’m not normally a western kinda guy, but this sweet little town on the outskirts of Yucca Valley in the high desert above Palm Springs, makes for a great day trip. It’s only about three of four blocks long, and no cars are allowed down the dusty dirt road that is main street. However, if you’re riding a horse or bull, I’m sure they’d make an exception for you.
While the town looks like it was built in the 1880’s, it was actually a tinsel town creation for filming western movies. Roy Rogers broke ground for the first building on September 1, 1946. As of a decade ago, over 200 movies and TV series had been filmed on this open air set with stars such as Gene Autry and The Cisco Kid.
I’ve been here several times over the years, and the town never disappoints, especially for first time visitors. There are so many great details to enjoy… the longer you look, the more you see. And if an afternoon isn’t enough, you can stay at the Pioneertown Motel right next door. I can only imagine how stunning the night sky must look once the sun has set. And if stargazing isn’t your thing, then saddle up to the bar at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace. I’ve never had a better chiliburger in my life, and their onion rings are pretty outstanding too.
I don’t mean to be unkind, but there’s also something a tad bit unsettling about this hidden little town off Route 62… I just can’t quite put my finger on. Maybe there’s some big military cover-up happening in those hills in the distance, or who knows what. When I think of this hot dusty road in the middle of nowhere, my favorite song from the Bagdad Cafe comes to mind. Maybe we should all gather at the Bates Motel, I mean Pioneertown Motel, next Halloween… and decide for ourselves.
Iconic Bel-Air Sign, Photo Romi CortierBel-Air West Gate Inset, Photo Romi CortierBel-Air West Gate, Photo Romi CortierBel-Air East Gate, Photo Romi CortierBel-Air Hotel Sign, Photo Romi CortierBel-Air Hotel, Photo Romi Cortier
What can I say about Bel-Air, except that I’ve been obsessed with it since I watched the 1986 movie Ruthless People with Bette Midler and Danny DeVito. Their fictional home on Bellagio Drive packed with over the top Post Modern furniture from the Memphis Era, inspired and tantalized my early designer taste buds. Little did I know that the set designer of the film was actually mocking the over the top furniture style that’s beginning to make a comeback today. (You can catch a glimpse of it in the clip below) Bellagio drive became one of the first places I wanted to see on my next visit to L A… aw the power of movies. Little did i know that one of my first clients after moving to L A in the mid 90’s would be one of the actresses who appeared in this film. I’d been doing her hair for several years when the subject came up. By then she was working as a red head, no longer being cast as the dumb blonde I’d seen her play in the stereo store with Judge Reinhold… the scene about how bigger is better in regards to stereo speakers.
It seems the allure of Bel-Air continues after nearly 90 years. Founded by Alphonzo E. Bell, Sr. in 1923, it’s part of the Platinum Triangle which also includes Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills. There are 2 major entrances: the East Gate and the West Gate. Stone Canyon Road was formerly named Bel-Air Woodland… which makes me think of Hollywoodland, another 1920’s real estate development. Did you know that there were several other signs that dotted the landscape during that era? There was Beverly Crest and Beverly Terrace, both on stilts like the famed Hollywood sign, as well as Bryn Mawr, Tyron Ridge and Eagle Rock that were embedded into the hillside itself.
Another interesting fact is that the homes closer to Sunset Blvd are more expensive than the homes higher up in the hills. These gates below give you a sense of the privacy some of these homeowners require. Bel-Air has such a secluded and tranquil vibe that even a simple drive through it’s canyons can reset your senses. Just beware, there are camera’s at both gates photographing your license plates as you enter and exit, not that you would to anything illegal… but the Bel-Air Homeowners Association is watching just in case.
Bel-Air Home Gate, Photo Romi CortierBel-Air Home Gate, Photo Romi CortierBel-Air Home Gate, Photo Romi CortierBel-Air Home Gate, Photo Romi Cortier
Starbucks Drive Thru at Highland and Willoughby, Photo Romi CortierStarbucks Drive Thru at Highland and Willoughby, Photo Romi CortierStarbucks Drive Thru at Highland and Willoughby, Photo Romi CortierStarbucks Drive Thru at Highland and Willoughby, Photo Romi CortierStarbucks at Highland and Willoughby, Photo Romi CortierStarbucks Drive Thru at Highland and Willoughby, Photo Romi Cortier
The new Starbucks Drive Thru at Highland and Willoughby officially opens today! However, yesterday March 26, 2015 was their soft opening… and it was a smashing success.
I have to admit that I’ve never been more excited about the opening of a Starbucks, because the opening of this Starbucks means that a dilapidated Historical-Cultural Landmark has been restored. For me this is a very personal story, because for the last 20 years I’ve been driving by this crumbling aluminum and wood building, sad for the loss of an elegant bygone era. The little white building with its faded green trim was slowly falling apart before my very eyes. Surrounded by a chain link fence, it seemed inevitable that a developer would find away around the landmark status and destroy it. So you can only imagine my excitement as I saw construction crews rebuilding it a few months ago as I whizzed by. I suppose if I actually read the newspaper once in awhile I might have had a heads up about this. Suffice it to say, I’m beyond thrilled that I’m not the only Art Deco enthusiast in the city of angels who loves to see gyms like these salvaged and restored.
Built in 1935 by RJ Kadow, it was part of a string of gas stations owned by the Gilmore Oil Company. You might recognize the Gilmore name not from the TV show, but rather as the original developers of LA’s historic Farmers Market on the corner of Third and Fairfax that began in 1934. Also, the Gilmore’s independent oil company became the largest on the West Coast, famous for it’s Red Lion logo.
The buildings last incarnation was as a Texaco gas station that closed in the early 90’s, and it was also the gas station featured in the film L.A. Story. Iamnotastalker.com reports that it was the Melrose Neighborhood Association that stepped in on March 23rd of 1992, and got the building declared a Historical Cultural Monument to prevent if from being torn down. Who would have guessed that it would take over 20 years for someone to breath new life into this beautiful little building. Having grown up in Seattle, I’m not surprised that a major company like Starbucks stepped in to save the day. That’s how we roll in the Pacific Northwest. To fully appreciate what they’ve accomplished, take a look at the photo below. It’s so exciting when a major corporation re-invests in its community. Thank you Starbucks!
Gilmore Gas Station at Highland and Willoughby, Photo by Mike Hume
I wandered into 2118 Beech Knoll Road during an open house last week. Oh. My. God. I live around the corner from here and have been walking by the home while its been under construction during the last couple of years. I had no idea what a spectacular residence it was. Yes, it’s got a great vibe from the street, but I was left speechless after spending 20 minutes in it, touring each of the 3 levels of the home.
The brilliance of this home is how beautifully the design concept is integrated through each and every one of its rooms. This is something I try and make clear to clients when they’re beginning a remodel. I urge them to think of the design as a whole, not just as a kitchen or bathroom remodel that stands alone. Otherwise you can end up with one amazing room that makes the others look tired and shabby. When you’re surface materials match from room to room, then the whole will be greater than the sum of its parts. While these photos speak for themselves, I’m going to break it down a bit and point out some of the architectural and design details that truly impressed me.
The concrete flooring with the wood insets is an absolute first from my point of view. I’ve never seen it done before, however, I had an idea to do this in one of my Palm Springs properties with flooring cut-outs for loose stones. Sadly, I lost faith in my vision and never did it. Now my creativity has been sparked, and I hope to be much more inventive in the future.
The use of Bulthaup Cabinetry throughout the residence, from home office, to bathroom, to kitchen, is the epitome of sleek modern elegance. Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought to combine it with the rustic and reclaimed wood like designer and owner Ted Dhanick did. He wisely chose ashy muted tones for most of the wood finishes, which work beautifully with the taupe cabinets. The custom wood and glass doors on pivots are noticeably warmer in tone, however, because they’re used in every room of the home, he created a visual rhythm that completely works. And I can’t rave enough about the rustic skylight trim in the kitchen when combined with the white walls, lacquered cabinets, and stainless Gaggenau, Subzero and Miele appliances. And the fireplaces in both the master bedroom and kitchen are out of this world. I’m so not a beige guy, and would never put a beige sofa or chair in front of these fireplaces, yet the idea is so smart because it lets you focus on the stunning sculptural aspect of the fireplaces, as well as their luscious woodgrain.
This 4500 square foot home has so many other details that help justify the nearly $4 million price tag: Automated LED lighting throughout, IP video intercom and security cameras, Fleetwood pocketing sliding doors, Boffi and European sinks, Kohler DTV automated rain and massage shower system, Somfy automated window shades throughout the house, central vacuum system, Napoleon fireplaces, commercial-grade water softening and filtration system… you get the idea. If you’ll visit their dedicated website, you can see the complete list of amenities.
In closing I will say that this is one of the finest homes I’ve ever set foot in and I wouldn’t change a thing. That’s why I’m calling it a Modernist Masterpiece. Nothing would make me happier then to show up on their doorstep with my suitcases in hand, and a big fat check.
