Stahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22,, Photo Romi CortierMrs. Stahl of the Stahl House, Case Study House #22, Photo 2009
The Stahl House, also known as Case Study House #22, is without a doubt one of the most famous homes in all of Los Angeles… and maybe the world. Built in 1959 as part of the Case Study House Program, it’s probably one of thee most photographed homes ever.
The late Julius Shulman made the residence famous with his iconic black and white photo of the home which featured two elegant women lounging in the home at dusk, as the city sparkled behind them. This happened in 1960, and the home has been on a roll ever since. Movies, editorial fashion shoots, tv commercials… I guarantee you’ve seen this home and it’s stunning panoramic view more often then you realize.
I was beyond excited when I was able to join an architectural tour to see this home in ’09. While it appears larger than life in photos, the square footage is in reality only about 2200 Square feet. It’s the balanced proportions that makes this residence looks so massive. Designed by Pierre Koenig for Buck Stahl and his family, the modernist glass and steel constructed home has become one of the most iconic mid-century homes in southern California.
Located in the Hollywood Hills above the Sunset Strip, the house was declared an LA Historical Cultural Monument in 1999. While the homes address is easy to find, 1635 Woods Drive, LA Ca. 90069, you’ll need to think twice about doing a drive by to catch a glimpse of it and the remarkable views. I learned when I visited the home that it’s on one of those gated private roads. But, if you’d really like to see the home, you can schedule a private tour that is remarkably affordable. For as little as $60, one person in one car, can have access to the home for an hour. Why not bring your significant other, a picnic basket and a bottle of wine, and sit and chill by the pool at dusk. I guarantee you it’s a ‘date night’ either of you would soon forget.
FYI The 2010 Documentary Visual Acoustics revisited this home with Photographer Julius Shulman, where he briefly talks about what it took to create his iconic image at the Sthal House.
Lot 224, Vapor Drawing, Larry Bell, 1978, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 154, Cat Person #1, Fritz Scholder, 1978, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 258, Phenomena Byron’s Hunch, Paul Jenkins, 1978, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 407, Untitled, Edmond Kohn, 1950’s, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 374, Balloon Dog (Blue) Jeff Koons, 1995, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 524, Untitled (Boat) Raimonds Staprans, 1963, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 362, #7, Karl Benjamin, 1986, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 377, Platter, Takashi Murakami, 2007, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 364, #18, Karl Benjamin, 1983, Image courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionLot 75, Double Standard, Ed Ruscha, 1969, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern Auctions
There’s another hot Art Auction coming up at Los Angeles Modern Auctions on October 12, 2014. I’ve been shopping at art auctions for over a decade because they’re an amazing way to add to a collection, plus they’re also a great opportunity to find items that are rarely on the market. Yes, some items are rather pricey, but others can be a relative steal, especially when compared to gallery pricing. An educated eye can easily spot the good stuff, even if it’s not expensive. The more you look at art, the more refined your eye becomes. Line, shape, color, texture, nuances in the thickness of the paint, it all adds up. And if all else fails, then trust your curator. And in this case, your curator would be Peter Loughrey.
Peter Loughrey is the Director of Modern Design & Fine Art at LA Modern Auctions. As a prominent figure in the L A art and design community, he’s been responsible for curating several gallery shows and is a member of the Decorative Arts and Design Council and Contemporary Friends. Therefore, when it comes to Los Angeles Modern Auctions, you can have faith in the quality of their lots. They’re very careful about vetting their pieces… I know because they’ve even refused a few of my own items, items that I thought were worthy. Fortunately they have strict guidelines to protect their collectors. The price point of this upcoming auction ranges from $1,000 – $100,000. I’m sharing a few of my favorite pieces here, simply because they appeal to my eye. I haven’t seen them in person, nor do I have a vested interest in their sale. I hope to attend the preview which runs till October 11, 2014, from 10am – 6pm, at 16145 Hart Street, Van Nuys, Ca. 91406.
Lot 224, Vapor Drawing by Larry Bell, Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000. I love this image because it reminds me of the corrugated metal fence at my home in Palm Springs. I’ve always wanted to do an oil painting to capture the reflective nature of the metal, however, this remarkable image has already done that.
Lot 154, Cat Person #1 by Fritz Scholder, Estimate: $6,000 – $9,000. At first glance this image looks like an abstract, but then the ears come into view. Plus who doesn’t love the sumptuous use of red with the chartreuse green accents.
Lot 258, Phenomena Byron’s Hunch by Paul Jenkins, Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000. Cool amorphous tones in violet and blue, with hints of magenta, a green flame glowing in the center with a contrasting Yellow rising sun. Pure joy.
Lot 407, Untitled by Edmond Kohn, Estimate: $800 – $1200. I just love this little midcentury gem. The line work of the bodies, the muted palette of green and orange tones with hints of salmon and apricot, it practically leaps from the canvas.
Lot 374, Balloon Dog (Blue) by Jeff Koons, Estimate $10,000 – $15,000. #1965 of 2300 MOCA Editions. I simply love any of Koons Cast Porcelain pieces with their lush reflective finishes, and if it comes in blue, even better.
Lot 524, Untitled (Boat) Raimonds Straprans, Estimate: $8,000 – $12,000. I love the use of black in this 1963 beauty, with accents of blue and orange. There’s such a graphic quality to the image that it reminds of Francoise Gilot.
Lot 362, #7 by Karl Benjamin, Estimate: $30,000 – $50,000. I’ve been a fan of Karl Benjamin since I discovered his work at ‘Birth of the Cool’ in Orange County about a decade ago. I’d love nothing more than to add one of his paintings to my collection, but they’re a bit out of my reach.
Lot 377, Platter by Takashi Murakami, Estimate $800 -$1200. Made on the occasion of the artist’s gala opening at MOCA in 2007, which was an amazing show and my first exposure to his work.
Lot 364, #18 by Karl Benjamin, Estimate: $12,000 – $15,000. I love how Benjamin has juxtaposed these bold geometric shapes in bold colors, married together with such a warm gray. I think I see the word LOVE being repeated…
Lot 75, Double Standard by Ed Ruscha, Estimate $50,000 – $70,000. It’s hard to imagine a screen print being valued at this price point, however, this is no ordinary screen print. It’s an 11-color screenprint on paper. I’ll presume that the white is the paper, plus there are 2 shades of blue for the sign. That leaves about 9 shades of orange, brown and black to create the gradation of tone in the sky.
Aria, Las Vegas, Photo Romi CortierCrystals Ceiling, Las Vegas, Photo Romi CortierThe Shops at Crystals, Las Vegas, Photo Romi CortierCrystals Staircase Detail, Las Vegas, Photo Romi CortierConcierge for the Shops at Crystals, Las Vegas, Photo Romi CortierGlacia Public Art Installation, The Shops at Crystals, Las Vegas, Photo Romi CortierCityCenter Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Crystals Shopping Center in Las Vegas has the most sublime architecture of any Shopping Mall I’ve ever seen. With over half a million square feet of high end retail space and clean breathable smoke free air with the subtlest scent of fragrance, Crystals sets the bar for high end shopping at a ‘mall’.
Known as CityCenter, or CityCenter Las Vegas, it’s makes me think of what Frank Gehry might have designed if he were ever enticed to create a shopping center, hotel and casino all in one. The conceptual master plan was actually designed by Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn Architects, with almost 17 million square feet covering 76 acres. At a cost of over 9.2 billion, it took roughly 5 years to construct.
I first discovered this remarkable complex on 11.11.11 when I joined my sister in Las Vegas for her wedding (along with about 20 thousand others couples). I’d heard about this ‘modern’ shopping center from a client of mine whose husband is an architect. Obviously it would have been impossible to miss this extraordinary presence on the Las Vegas Strip. It tantalizes everyone of your sense, from its stunning silhouettes, to its contrasting textures and tonal values. There’s even 5 water features with sounds to sooth your ears, including the remarkable ice sculpture Glacia. With thirteen Ice Pillars rising 15 vertical feet, the core of each Pillar is maintained at a constant minus 5 degrees fahrenheit to keep them frozen. It also takes up to 36 hours for the columns to re-freeze, which is no small feat when you considered it’s located just 50 feet from the entrance. We all know how hot and crowded Vegas can be, and when you step from the strip into this slice of heaven, you never want to leave. My senses are booth soothed and invigorated from the moment I walk in. It’s a reprieve from the riff-raff and re-defines modern luxury. You don’t need to have deep pockets to walk into this mall and chill out, but it sure helps if you do. Tom Ford, Valentino, Prada, Van Cleef & Arpels, Lalique, Gucci, Miu Miu, Cartier, Balenciaga… names, names names darling. I feel like Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous as those lovely words roll off my tongue. Pack your Black Amex and meet me in Las Vegas at Crystals, it’s time for some retail therapy.
Dress worn by Shakira, Lobby of Hard Rock Hotel, Photo Romi CortierDress worn by Lady Gaga, Entry of Hard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, Photo Romi CortierHard Rock Hotel Entry, Palm Springs, Photo Romi CortierHard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, Photo Romi CortierHard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, Photo Romi CortierHard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, Photo Romi CortierHard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, Photo Romi CortierHard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, Photo Romi Cortier
The Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs is loaded with designer eye candy. Rock and Roll is the obvious theme, with some pretty amazing garments from rock legends like Jimi Hendrix, to an over the top lampshade owned by the king himself, Mr. Elvis Presley.
Reviews for the hotel during it’s first six months (it opened March 2014) have been great from the party crowd, but not so great from the vacationers looking for a family friendly hotel. Additionally, there seems to be tremendous issues with room security in the hotel, cleanliness, and the lack of amenities such as a place to eat after 2 p.m., or ice in the ice machines. Many have also complained about the constant party atmosphere, which shouldn’t really be a surprise since it’s billed as a Rock and Roll Hotel. That said, I’ve never been to any of their other HRH (Hard Rock Hotel, not Her Royal Highness) locations, which seem to have more favorable reviews.
When I think of Palm Springs, I don’t think Rock and Roll, I think Sinatra, The Rat Pack, and lounging poolside with martini’s. Therefore, there may be an underlying conflict regarding the purpose of this hotel in the city. I recall how excited the city council and some of the residents were about the Hard Rock bringing it’s brand to the desert. I wasn’t onboard, and consequently stayed away. It was during this past weekend that I finally wandered into the hotel to see what it was all about. I have to say that I really love the atmosphere that was created, which far exceeded my expectations. Although as you can see from my photos, the hotel was fairly empty on a Monday morning.
From a design point of view, the Hard Rock Hotel has plenty to offer. The rich use of red is very stimulating and creates a sexy atmosphere that might be best suited for young adults, not the family crowd. The tufted gold banquettes in the ‘cocktail pit’ also scream sit here, get cozy, and make new friends. Again, not a place I’d even consider bringing the kids. The images on the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs web site are remarkably inviting and also accurate, billing it as The Entertainment Destination in the California Desert. I’m not sure the hotel has reached the pinnacle of its mission statement just yet, but I’m hoping the guys at corporate will take a closer look at what has and hasn’t been working at the hotel, and pull it all together. And one last design note, why do I need to see the word FUN with a big period after it? Good design and good customer service make that a given, I don’t need to be told how to feel or what my experience should be. Either it’s fun or it isn’t. Period.
LongBeach has a large array of Art Deco, from the Queen Mary, to the Lafayette, to little known apartment buildings. In fact, there’s even an entire collection of deco buildings know as Lowell Elementary School that covers several blocks on Livingston Drive.
What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than canvasing the streets of LongBeach looking for Art Deco gems. My initial search online didn’t yield much. But I was meeting a buddy for lunch, who was in town on a business trip from Manhattan, and I knew there just had to be some great buildings worth photographing. The East Village Arts District had three amazing buildings across from one another, including the Lafayette. And the First Baptist Church, located on Pine Avenue, is on the eastern border of a ‘transitional’ neighborhood that’s clearly undergoing gentrification. In hindsight it would make sense to head to the older areas of town to find structures built in the 20’s and 30’s. I just had to remind myself to be patient and not lean on the horn for any reason… wouldn’t want to end up with a ‘cap in my ass’.
The one element of the church spire that really grabbed my attention, was the black disks near the top. They make me think of the May Company Building with it’s massive gold cylinder on Wilshire Boulevard, in LA’s Miracle Mile. It’s such a specific design feature whose rarity makes it unforgettable. And while we’re on the top of specific design elements, take a close look at rooflines of each of the buildings. They each have a very different silhouette, yet all of them fall into the design category of Art Deco. The vertical bands on each of the buildings also helps identify the deco period. The zig zag patterns in the plaster reliefs are hallmarks of 1920’s Art Deco, while the bright pastel tones of the structure with the street corner cylinder make me think of Florida’s Tropical Art Deco, done in the Streamline Moderne style.
You might be wondering why I chose to include the Queen Mary as my opening image for this series, but when I think Art Deco and LongBeach, she’s what comes to mind first. And what has a stronger silhouette than those three smoke stacks, tilted slightly backwards. She looks like she’s moving, even when she’s standing still, exemplifying the spirit of deco. Planes, Trains, Cars, Steamships… it was all about the new found glamour of travel and how quickly we could get from one place to another after we evolved from the horse drawn carriage.
And a little FYI, the first 30 minutes of parking at the Queen Mary in the Port of LongBeach are free. I didn’t exactly know that when I took the ticket to get into their parking lot. I just knew I wasn’t leaving town without a good shot of her, and if that meant paying for parking, so be it. I was planning on making the argument of being lost and needing to turn around… I guess I’m not the only one who’s done that. Art Deco will be turning 100 in a few years, and I predict you’ll be reading a lot more about that period in the coming years.
