Gucci Osteria da Massimo, Beverly Hills, Ca., Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, aka Rutherford RollsCoco, aka Malibupom, posing with the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow on a palm tree lined street in Beverly Hills.Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Beverly Hills, Ca.Interior, Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Beverly Hills, Ca,Binge Network TV, Host Romi Cortier, When a car’s more than just a car.
This beautifully restored 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow is a rare bird. For starters, the color palette makes the car hard to miss when rolling down the road. While the color scheme isn’t new for Rolls Royce, it is striking and dramatic with the highly contrasting color selection. I’ve seen this color scheme used on Rolls Royces over several decades, and it always makes a statement.
The car has belonged to the same family for over 40 years, having passed from one generation to another. There’s something very special about handing a prized possession from one generation to the next. Having them value it so much that they’re willing to restore it, is a whole new level of respect… because when you’re talking about a vintage Rolls, it won’t be cheap. And you’ll also need to find someone who specializes in that. Fortunately here in Los Angeles, that isn’t a problem.
This car has been featured in two episodes of Artful Living. The first episode, the original 28 minute pilot, is about the mid-century movement, which does include this luxury car from the mid 1970’s. The second episode is a stand alone segment telling the very personal story of this car. You can watch the segment below, or click on this link for BINGE NETWORK TV, to see this and other videos with host Romi Cortier.
If you’re an Instagramer, you can follow the Silver Shadow at @RutherfordRolls, Romi at @RomiCortier, and Artful Living with Romi Cortier at @Artful Living with Romi Cortier.
3339 Ellington Villa Drive, Altadena, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
3339 Ellington Villa Drive, Altadena, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
3339 Ellington Villa Drive, Altadena, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
3339 Ellington Villa Drive, Altadena, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
3339 Ellington Villa Drive, Altadena, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
3339 Ellington Villa Drive, Altadena, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
3339 Ellington Villa Drive, Altadena, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
Staging 3339 Ellington Villa Drive was a total blast, and served two purposes. The first purpose was to help out a client who was preparing to sell her home, it’s first time on the market in 40 years. The second purpose, was to create a set for filming an episode of Artful Living. Locations for filming can be very expensive, so it was a perfect trade, plus this gem of a mid-century ranch home built in 1957, was the ideal backdrop for our episode about all things mid-century.
The pilot episode of Artful Living was finished in the fall of 2017. After getting some great feedback from several of our contacts in the entertainment industry, we decided we needed to do a re-shoot to streamline the shows message. Therefore, we were looking for a new mid-century location to film an interview with architectural historian Eleanor Schrader. Eleanor was my instructor during my studies at the UCLA Interior Design Program, and I was elated when she agreed to join for such a special interview.
Romi Cortier and Eleanor Schrader on the set of Artful Living, 2018
If you’ve never been on a film set, it’s a long arduous day. We literally spent 13 ours filming our interview, which included a walk through of the home. We discussed my staging choices, as well as the design hallmarks of this mid-century ranch home.
When it comes to staging, each room needs to have a ‘color story‘ as I like to call it. I’ve learned from experience that a beautiful monochromatic room might feel wonderful while you’re sitting in it, but when you look at images of those kinds of spaces, they can completely die and have no life whatsoever on camera. Therefore, little spikes of color can make the space feel exciting and alive.
For the living room, I used my Purple Hydrangea painting (yes I’m a painter) as the spring board for the color story. I found nick nacks for the room at Marshall’s, Home Goods and T.J.Maxx, with the exception of the purple chenille cubes which came from my personal collection.
3339 Ellington Villa Drive, Altadena, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
For the dining room and kitchen, my Yellow and Chartreuse Bird paintings were the spring board for my color story. I used a few simple items in those same tones, which kept the room looking crisp and simple. In case you’re wondering about the dining room table, it came from IKEA for less than $200, and was a perfect fit for the mid-century styling.
3339 Ellington Villa Drive, Altadena, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
I’m happy to report that the home went into escrow during it’s first week on the market, and many people also commented on how much they loved the staging. We’re working hard with our editors putting together our show, and can’t wait to share it with you in the coming weeks! Stay tuned…
Stahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi Cortier
Stahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi Cortier
Stahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi Cortier
Stahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi Cortier
Stahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi Cortier
Stahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi Cortier
Stahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi Cortier
Stahl House aka Case Study House #22,, Photo Romi Cortier
Mrs. 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.
John Lautner’s 1956 Harpel House may sit in the shadow of Chemosphere, his famous flying saucer home, but it’s a shining gem in its own right.
I visited this home in 2008 as part of the MAK Center tour, organized in conjunction with the Hammer Museum‘s John Lautner exhibit Between Earth and Heaven. This home was on the tour because recent renovations by Mark Haddawy had restored the home to its original design. Lets call it a ‘make under’ because that’s exactly what it was. Haddawy removed a second story addition, stucco walls, aluminum window frames, track lighting and a myriad of other ‘improvements’ by previous owners who thought they were modernizing and improving the mid-century home. Haddawy spent two years removing those improvements and then recreated Lautner’s door knobs, light fixtures and other details, returning the home to the architects original vision. His passion as a preservationist has given great hope and pride to architectural enthusiasts, and shows what’s possible at a time when many of these homes are on the brink of being bulldozed.
Thanks to Haddawy’s restoration, I was able to observe Lautner’s use of a ‘radial’ support system for the roof. While homes like Silver Top (lower level) and the Harvey Residence feature a single central support pillar with beams radiating out, this home features multiple concrete pillars with beams radiating out, ultimately creating a zig zag pattern. This remarkable construction gives more flexibility to the placement of walls both inside and out. Thus the exterior walls are no longer ‘load bearing’. This is what allows the hallway to exist on the outer perimeter of the homes north side, joining the bedrooms with the main living area. It also allows for the creation of the homes hexagonal living room. You’ll also notice in the photos that the stone flooring in the living room is continued out onto the patio by the pool. This helps blend the indoors with the out doors because there’s no threshold line with contrasting materials on either side. Thus, stone gives way to stone, versus hardwood floors against concrete or tile. Additionally, the stones are irregularly shaped, as is the pool, which again adds to the visual continuity of the homes overall design. Ultimately, this groundbreaking design serves a larger purpose, which is to maximize the stunning views of the San Fernando Valley. It’s to bad we weren’t allowed to bring our swimming suits on the home tour, because I would have loved nothing more then to run and jump on that amazing diving board, and canon ball into the pool.
Residence, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs, Photo Romi Cortier
Carport, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs, Photo Romi Cortier
Residence, Sunrise Park, Palm Springs, Photo Romi Cortier
Palm Springs mid-century modern texture is one of the design hallmarks that makes this region so recognizable. As a Palm Springs homeowner for over a decade, I’ve watched several neighborhoods re-emerge and blossom into beacons of desert modernism. While the simplicity of the images above may seem like ‘no brainers’, it couldn’t be further from the truth. In a minimalist environment, every detail counts. Think Chinese Brush Painting, the simplest strokes can have the most impact, therefore, every detail must be deliberate. When competing with the low slung or butterfly rooflines of Wexler,Alexander and Meiselman homes, less is more. To much going on around the home, can detract from those amazing design lines.
Drought resistant landscaping, known as Xeriscaping, is a perfect companion to the elegant mid century modern textures. Corrugated metal fences, like the one shown above, withstand the summer heat remarkably well. Inspired by Albert Frey’s use of corrugated metal at city hall, many homeowners have begun adopting this material over the last decade. I’ve seen dilapidated wooden fences all around the city being replaced by this material… mine included. And the way corrugated metal reflects the sunlight on the colored dirt, plants and rocks can be beyond amazing. It’s like mood lighting that changes throughout the day.
Open carports with slatted wood, like the one shown above, are another great use of texture in the desert environment. The slats provide both privacy and shade, while also allowing breezes to pass through. Every little bit helps with the temperatures hit 110 and above (I know… it’s a dry heat).
And lastly, lets talk about those great circular metal partitions at Palm Springs City Hall. Was Albert Frey reusing the design element from the circular cutout for that iconic entry that allowed the palm trees to pass through the roof? Or was Mr. Frey inspired by the exhaust vents of a jet engine from the nearby airport? The partitions aren’t flat circles, they’re about 8-10 inches deep. They certainly have an ‘Atomic’ quality to them which would be in keeping with that period.
Across the street from City Hall is the Palm Springs International Airport, which was built by the United States Army Corps in 1939, and then declared surplus after the war in 1945. In 1946 it was sold to private buyers, which was then sold to the City of Palm Springs in 1961 and converted to the Palm Springs Municipal Airport. I can’t find any details to support my theory on the web, but maybe I didn’t dig deep enough. Albert Frey was a ground breaking architect who took inspiration from his environment, and is considered the founder of Desert Modernism. Maybe those circular partitions were a nod to the airport to the east, because in 1952, most mid-century homes hadn’t been built yet.
