Latest news with #midcenturymodern
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eames House Reopens Post-L.A. Wildfires, Family Announces New Foundation and Fire Resilience Efforts
It was a close call for the Pacific Palisades, Calif., home of legendary American designers Charles and Ray Eames. After five months of closure due to smoke damage from the Palisades fires, the Eames House has finally reopened to the public, representatives of the Eames family told WWD on Friday. The 1.4-acre site sits adjacent to a meadow of eucalyptus trees just north of Santa Monica. Its materials, interior collections and landscaping are maintained as they were during Charles' and Ray's lifetimes; all three elements tell the story of the couple's life and work, which includes the famous galaxy pendant lamp and their iconic Eames chair. More from WWD Miu Miu Taps Kylie Jenner, Lou Doillon, Rila Fukushima and More for Its Fall 2025 Campaign Immersive K-beauty Pop-up Lands in Hollywood Tariffs at 30 Percent Would Be a Tipping Point for European Furniture- and Lighting-makers The home, which was completed in 1949, was spared from the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year, but sustained considerable smoke damage. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2007. The midcentury modern landmark known as Case Study House No. 8 has undergone a meticulous process of restoration and cleaning. For the first time, the couple's studio, adjacent to the main living space, will be open to the public. It will now serve as a site for exhibitions, workshops and meeting space. A New Foundation In tandem with the reopening of the Eames House, the Eames family launched the Charles and Ray Eames Foundation, an initiative dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of the two American international creative visionaries. Today, their studio, the Eames Office, is still in operation and owns the intellectual property for all of the Eames' designs and assets. It continues as a cultural and commercial entity and is the main benefactor of the new Charles and Ray Eames foundation also announced that it will convene the first Eames Conference in Los Angeles in 2026, creating a new forum for professional dialogue between Eames scholars and institutions like the Library of Congress, the Vitra Design Museum, The Henry Ford, the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity and The Museum of Modern Art. The Eames' grandson said the family is focused on carrying on Charles' and Ray's legacy for future generations. 'As grandchildren, it has been our honor to ensure that Charles and Ray continue to make a global impact. Their work extended far beyond their most recognizable contributions in furniture and architecture — it was philosophy, photography, art, exhibition design, toys, lighting design, architecture. It is our responsibility to ensure those contributions are not lost. This next chapter is about succession planning and looking ahead to future generations,' said the couple's grandson Eames Demetrios, who is the director of the Eames Office, and chairman of the Charles & Ray Eames Foundation. Non-family member Eckart Maise, former chief design officer at Vitra and fourth generation Eames family member Jackie Cassel were appointed to its board of directors, which includes Charles and Ray's five grandchildren. Fire Resilience Is Key The board also appointed Adrienne Luce as executive director of the foundation. Luce was formerly executive director of the HMC Designing Futures Foundation in Los Angeles. Luce said ensuring fire resilience is imperative to the survival of the estate for years to come and is central to the foundation's long-term vision. As part of the foundation's 250 Year Project to conserve this historic landmark, it will implement a holistic, multilayered strategy that balances preservation with innovation. This includes a robust landscape management plan to fire-harden the site, restore native vegetation, install an underground cistern to support emergency response, and embrace emerging exterior fire protection technologies. 'These efforts are complemented by community convenings and research initiatives that advance broader wildfire recovery and long-term regional resilience,' she told WWD. The foundation already hosted two gatherings in the studio — one with neighbors, wildfire survivors and community leaders, and another with architects from Case Study: Adapt, a union of 10 of Los Angeles' leading architecture firms, which work together to redefine residential design for a changing climate and address challenges facing the Palisades and support broader wildfire recovery efforts.
News.com.au
14-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Saving an iconic Toorak home designed by Arts Centre architect
When couple David Hart and Jessica Soleimani embarked on a journey to restore their Toorak house, they also rescued a piece of Melbourne's architectural history. Aside from returning the mid-century modern home to its former glory, they preserved an early work by one of Australia's most influential architects for future generations. The completed project even added more than $1m in estimated value to their abode, that's known as Shere. As founder and director of Victorian-based commercial and residential builder, DG Build, Mr Hart and Ms Soleimani – who works in the business too – launched their first project together following their 2018 honeymoon. The couple knocked down an older house in Melbourne's northwest before subdividing and building two double-storey units. Next up, they renovated and sold a fire-damaged property in the same suburb. 'After these, it just became a thing that we did,' Mr Hart said. 'We moved onto a three townhouse site, a medical centre, and now we are commencing the design on a 35-apartment site in Ringwood.' It was 2023 when they first inspected Shere and 'immediately recognised the potential beneath its weathered surface', Mr Hart said. The house was originally designed and built by architect Sir Roy Grounds, one of Australia's leading architects of the modern movement, in 1958. It was a precursor to Sir Grounds' other, more well-known works including Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria and the Victorian Arts Centre, now known as the Arts Centre Melbourne, plus the Wrest Point Hotel Casino in Hobart. Sir Grounds was knighted for his significant contributions to Australian architecture in 1969. It was the architect's accountant, Mr. M. Smith and his wife, who commissioned Shere. Mr Hart said that when he and Ms Soleimani first saw the house, they noticed alterations that had been made over time that were not in keeping with its mid-century character. 'There were also visible signs of neglect to many of the original features,' he added. 'The timber eaves were worn and painted over, the aluminium roof was leaking, the copper gutters weren't maintained and the internal timber wall linings were in poor condition.' In addition, stormwater and sewers blocked and retaining walls on the brink of collapse. 'The to-do list was long, but we saw this project as an opportunity to restore and preserve a piece of Melbourne's rich history of mid-century design,' Mr Hart said. After purchasing Shere, the couple embarked on a deep dive into its history. They were delighted to find Sir Roy Grounds' original plans through RMIT University's Design Archives, a resource of more than 350,000 objects related to Victorian design from the 1940s onwards. As fans of mid-century architecture, they put plenty of thought into each decision they made on the house's months-long restoration effort. Natural light was among the guiding principles of the project. 'Shere was always designed with the sun in mind, its peak aligned to true north,' Mr Hart said. 'We introduced Velux skylights to brighten the only dull areas, then layered in obscured glass bricks sculpting light and shadow while nodding to iconic modernist form.' And in the bathroom, 'reflections dance from a red transparent resin bath, injecting a quiet playfulness and a surprising sense of space into an otherwise modest layout'. Ms Soleimani said that her favourite feature of the completed project was the new entry staircase that leads up onto the terrace and front door under a timber eave. 'Incredibly, the redesign resulted in the addition of a master bedroom, ensuite, and separate laundry, all achieved without altering the existing roof line,' Mr Hart added. The couple said they had no intentions of selling Shere just yet – especially after all the hard work they put into its restoration – but might consider doing so if they find another gem to restore. In total, including the initial $2.94m they paid for the property, they spent $3.654m on Shere and its restoration. A post-renovation valuation put Shere's value at $4.8m, an equity gain of $1.146m. However, Mr Hart and Ms Soleimani said that financial reward had not served as their motivation for giving the house a new lease on life. 'Restoring Shere felt less like renovating a home and more like working with a piece of art or sculpture,' Mr Hart said. 'Homes like this are incredibly rare — there's a real feel to them, which is from a special cleverness to their design. 'We saw ourselves as caretakers of something special, something that deserved to be protected, celebrated, lived in, and loved – we hope to inspire others to renovate rather than to just simply knock down and rebuild.'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A Modernist Home in Montecito Designed by a Pioneering Architect Just Listed for $18 Million
Designed by trailblazer Lutah Maria Riggs, Santa Barbara's first licensed female architect and one of the first women to be named a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, this midcentury-modern residence was described as a 'glass tent' by Time magazine upon its completion in the early 1950s. Sold to its current owner in spring 2011 for $6.25 million and subsequently renovated, it's just popped up on the market for a dash under $14 million. And, according to the listing held by Luke Ebbin of The Ebbin Group at Compass, it's 'a living piece of architectural history and one of Montecito's most important homes.' After starting out as an apprentice to Spanish Revival master George Washington Smith, Riggs went on to head up her own firm. In addition to creating numerous Spanish Colonial Revival and modernist homes throughout the Southern California region—including a suburban Los Angeles residence for actress Greta Garbo—the Ohio-born architect also had a hand in numerous commercial projects, ranging from the restoration of the Lobero Theatre to a small temple for the Vedanta Society. More from Robb Report Profits at the Macallan's Parent Company Dropped 26% This Year Porsche Club of America Members Get First Dibs on This New, Ultra-Limited 911 VisionF's New Speedboat Can Hit a Staggering 92 MPH at Full Tilt When her commissions dwindled during World War II, Riggs found work as a Hollywood set designer for MGM and Warner Brothers, crafting Regency-inspired sets for films such as The Picture of Dorian Gray. RELATED: Meg Ryan Has Relisted Her Revamped Montecito Estate for $19.5 Million Commissioned by Alice Erving and created during Riggs's modernist phase, this particular abode is tucked away on nearly three acres in the exclusive Golden Quadrangle neighborhood, near the Upper Village shopping center. A gated, oak-laced driveway meanders its way up to a motor court and flat-roofed carport, with a covered walkway leading past a courtyard before emptying at the wood-sided main home. Other structures include a small office and creekside guesthouse, adding to a combined total of three bedrooms and four baths in roughly 3,000 square feet. A double-height entry foyer flows to the soaring triangular-shaped living space, which is spotlighted by expansive walls of glass overlooking picturesque views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and a massive stone fireplace inspired by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, whom Riggs collaborated with on at least one project. Other highlights include a formal dining area, a kitchen updated with custom Poggenpohl cabinetry and top-tier appliances, and a primary suite hosting dual dressing rooms and a spa-like bath. RELATED: 'NYPD Blue' Star Dennis Franz Is Asking $18 Million for His Bucolic Montecito Retreat Arguably the property's most impressive feature is the secluded grounds. Originally designed by noted landscape architect Thomas Church and recently rejuvenated in keeping with Church's original vision, they include native plantings, lavender fields, fruit trees, vegetable gardens, a zig-zag bridge spanning a koi pond, a bocce court, and several spots for alfresco lounging and of Robb Report The 10 Priciest Neighborhoods in America (And How They Got to Be That Way) In Pictures: Most Expensive Properties Click here to read the full article.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
One of the Last Southern California Homes Built by Joseph Eichler Lists for $1.7 Million
Midcentury-modern enthusiasts couldn't do much better than this Eichler home in Thousand Oaks, less than an hour from downtown Los Angeles. The 1964 abode was one of the last built in Southern California by renowned developer Joseph Eichler. It was designed by architect Claude Oakland, who, along with A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons, completed the Thousand Oaks Eichlers, as the collection of residences in the neighborhood is known. The Oakland Eichler is hitting the market for $1.7 million, having had just two sets of owners since construction. Nina Kurtz at Compass holds the listing. More from Robb Report Belmond's Newest Luxury Sleeper Train Will Connect London to Wales This $13.5 Million Home in Ibiza Has Its Own Infinity Pool and Private Beach Access Ferrari Just Won Back Rights to the Name 'Testarossa' The four-bedroom, two-bath spreads over almost 2,000 square feet of living space. It's a textbook example of Eichler's aesthetic: An open floor plan curves around the central atrium, with post-and-beam construction and glass walls that invite the outdoors into just about every room in the house. The original concrete-slab foundation provides radiant heating, a feature that was ahead of its time in the mid-1960s. A recent paint job has wrapped the home in a custom olive-brown shade, with a statement red door and a mailbox to match. Inside, warm woods are prevalent in many of the entertaining spaces, including the updated kitchen, a wet bar, and the fireplace-anchored living room. The primary bathroom has been spruced up with new tile, while the secondary has kept its vintage tile and original tub. Out back, a classic patio wraps around the swimming pool, with several adjacent seating areas and room for a fire pit. The surrounding garden contains all sorts of fruit trees, including fig, olive, lemon, persimmon, and loquat. Design lovers have long clamored over the Eichler homes, which don't hit the market all too often. But now and again, one of the developer's properties does pop up for sale: A couple of months back, an updated abode in Marin County carried an $11.6 million price tag. That four-bedroom had undergone a beachy renovation, befitting of its locale on Belvedere Island. And even rarer, about a year ago Eichler's personal home in Silicon Valley listed for $6.4 million. Built in the 1950s, that property was custom-designed for Eichler and his wife, and it came to market for the first time in almost 60 of Robb Report The 10 Priciest Neighborhoods in America (And How They Got to Be That Way) In Pictures: Most Expensive Properties Click here to read the full article.
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Travel + Leisure
05-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
L.A.'s Favorite Ski Town Just Got a New Hotel—and It Has Cute Midcentury Modern Design, Lakeside Views, and the Best Pizza Restaurant on the Mountain
In a land of old-school, kitschy ski cabins, Hotel Marina Riviera is decidedly the new cool kid on the block. In terms of views in Big Bear, it would be hard to beat this property, which has lake access and mountain vistas. The on-site restaurant De La Nonna serves up focaccia-style pizzas and craft cocktails—it's arguably the best spot to eat on the entire mountain. Design fans will love the minimalist, midcentury modern rooms that feel equal parts like a ski lodge, boutique hotel, and summer camp. With amenities like multiple saunas, a heated lakeside pool, and a soon-to-come spa, the Hotel Marina Riviera feels like a mini-resort. It goes without saying: Los Angeles is not exactly a ski town. As the unofficial capital of Southern California, the City of Angels is better known for sun, surf, and general Beach Boy-esque vibes. But one of the best ski spots in the region is located just two hours from downtown L.A.—and it just got a splashy new hotel. Hotel Marina Riviera quietly opened in June and occupies the former Marina Resort, a Viking-inspired lodge built in 1968. The facade of the building was constructed from bare, unvarnished lumber, and you can still smell the faint scent of cedar while walking around the property. Casetta, which is known for its cute-as-a-button collection of indie chic boutique hotels, purchased the property and updated it in a way that feels modern, yet rooted in its midcentury past. 'The design of Hotel Marina Riviera was inspired by a deep respect for the property's original 1968 architecture and its stunning alpine setting along Big Bear Lake,' Sana Keefer, Casetta's head of brand, told Travel + Leisure . 'We wanted to preserve the soul of the building, including its Viking-inspired structure and midcentury character, while thoughtfully updating it for the modern traveler. The refresh draws inspiration from Big Bear's après-ski history, classic roadside lodges, and the timeless appeal of mountain getaways, all viewed through a contemporary lens.' Situated near Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains, the small city of Big Bear, California, is one of the closest ski towns to Los Angeles, apart from the nearby Lake Arrowhead. Big Bear is famous for its diverse terrain and powder, and the atmosphere here is decidedly ski town-y, with all the bro-ness and craft breweries that go along with it. Hotel Marina Riviera takes a different approach to Big Bear: with amenities like a lakeside barrel sauna, a year-round heated pool, and a small beach, the hotel feels like a wellness-focused mini-resort. L.A. is, of course, famous for its culinary scene, and you can have some of the best pizza in the city right on-site at De La Nonna Big Bear, which has a flagship location in DTLA's hip Arts District. And while Big Bear is synonymous with skiing and other wintertime activities, it's a delight to visit in the summer as well, and there was no better feeling than coming back from a hike up Castle Rock Trail to focaccia-style pizza and soft serve ice cream topped with olive oil and a dusting of flaky salt. While I imagine Hotel Marina Riviera will certainly feel cozy in the winter, I visited in June, and the atmosphere was laid-back and relaxed. At times, I felt like I was at a luxe summer camp for grown-ups. 'This property is designed to slow you down in the best way,' Keefer told T+L. 'Whether it's birdwatching with morning coffee during migration season on the outdoor deck, an impromptu outing on the lake, or a sunset sauna session, the experience is immersive and personal. We want it to feel nostalgic but fresh, like a place you've always known, but are just now rediscovering." Here's what it's like to stay at the Hotel Marina Riviera. Interior of a Lakeside King guest room. Patrick Chin/Hotel Marina Riviera There are 42 rooms and six cabins at Hotel Marina Riviera, split across seven accommodation types. Travelers can choose from the snug, 260-square-foot Lakeside King, which can sleep two people, to the 700-square-foot Double Queen Cabin, which has enough room for six people. (During my two-night stay, I slept in a Lakeside Double, and I loved waking up to mountain views and a still, glassy lake in the morning.) That said, no matter what accommodation type guests pick, they'll be able to enjoy retro ski lodge-inspired design. The color palette here is a moody shade of peacock green, and you'll notice thoughtful touches like wood accents, vintage-style woodland prints, and a bedside table full of well-loved used books. While I certainly recommend making time for De La Nonna, the in-room minibar is stocked with treats like Chuza chamoy strawberries, Taos Bakes bars, and locally made beef jerky. De La Nonna's Big Bear outpost serves much of the same fare that its DTLA location does, with its toothsome focaccia-style pizzas on offer. I recommend the White Pie, which comes topped with thinly sliced Japanese potatoes and a sprinkle of fennel and pesto. Or if you're looking for something more classic, try the Pepp (a pepperoni pizza) and spring for the spicy honey for a little added pizzazz. All pies come with De La Nonna's signature halo of crispy cheese around the edges. There are a few unique things about the Big Bear menu. For example, there are no fresh seafood starters, and instead, diners can opt for a tinned fish sampler or a smoked trout dip. There's still a healthy selection of natural wines, fun cocktails (like the Frozen Sprits, a slushy-like Aperol spritz), and arguably the best Caesar salad in the Southland. Best of all, you can take it all in while enjoying stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Even if you don't stay the night, De La Nonna would be a fun place to relax lakeside—this is definitely a place to see and be seen in Big Bear. The outdoor Barrel Sauna. Patrick Chin/Hotel Marina Riviera While Hotel Marina Riviera doesn't have any on-site activities at the moment, you would be hard pressed to find a better home base to explore all that Big Bear has to offer. The hotel is less than two miles (about a five-minute drive) from Big Bear Mountain Resort and is located directly on the lake, ensuring that guests have easy access to kayaking and canoeing opportunities. Plus, local company Getboards, which rents boats in the summer and skis and snowboards in the winter, is an easy five-minute walk from the hotel. Hotel Marina's Riviera's prime location also puts you within walking distance of Big Bear's bustling downtown strip, where you can find wine tasting venues (head to Barrel 33), local restaurant staples like Stella Luna, and a wide selection of souvenir shops. If you are visiting in the summer (as I did), make sure to take full advantage of all the trails that are available in the area—the Castle Rock Trail is a 1.6-mile route through the San Bernardino National Forest that has sweeping vistas of the lake and San Bernardino mountains. A treatment room is scheduled to open on Aug. 1. (At the time of my stay, the spa wasn't open.) There are other wellness amenities already available in the meantime. This includes a barrel sauna right next to the lake, an indoor sauna, a cold plunge, and a small but mighty fitness center stocked with all the essentials, like free weights, a treadmill, and a stationary bike. If you would like to explore Big Bear in an active way, Hotel Marina Riviera has complimentary bicycles available for guests to borrow. Take a dip or relax lakeside. Patrick Chin/Hotel Marina Riviera Hotel Marina Riviera doesn't have any explicit family-minded amenities or offerings at the moment, but the baseline amenities are pretty family-friendly. The lakeside pool is an excellent place for the kids to hang out while the adults soak in the whirlpool bath. The property also has easy lakeside access with a small sandy beach, and there are plans to eventually have kayaks and canoes that guests can take for a paddle. If you are traveling with a large group, consider booking one of Hotel Marina Riviera's six cabins, which have multiple beds and can sleep anywhere from three to six people. Perhaps one of the best things about Hotel Marina Riviera is that it's pet-friendly, with no weight restrictions, so all members of the family can join the trip. Two dogs are allowed per stay for $100 per pup. Adirondack chairs sit around fire pits. Patrick Chin/Hotel Marina Riviera There are two accessible rooms at Hotel Marina Riviera, both of which are Lakeside King Rooms. These two units have a private balcony as well as roll-in/walk-in showers. There are elevators that go to the first, second, and third floors of the hotel. Both the lobby and De La Nonna are accessible for wheelchair users as well. If you need extra assistance, it's a good idea to contact the front desk with any requests you may have. Sustainability-minded choices at Hotel Marina Riviera include things like water bottle refill stations, Aesop soaps (a sustainable and ethical soap brand) in the bathrooms, and Earth-friendly toilet paper. The exterior of Hotel Marina Riviera in Big Bear Lake, California. Patrick Chin/Hotel Marina Riviera Most visitors to Big Bear are likely driving in from either Los Angeles or the Inland Empire. Hotel Marina Riviera is about 100 miles (or about a two-hour drive) from the heart of L.A. and about 40 miles (or an hour's drive) from San Bernardino, California. If you're flying in from another part of the state, the closest major airports are San Bernardino International Airport (SBD), Ontario International Airport (ONT), or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). There is a public transportation system in the San Bernardino Mountain area, known as Mountain Transit. However, for convenience and comfort, your best bet is to rent a car. Ride-hailing services such as Lyft and Uber do operate in the area, but since Big Bear is a small town, there's limited availability, and you may have trouble snagging a ride. The lobby and reception. Patrick Chin/Hotel Marina Riviera Hotel Marina Riviera is a part of Guestbook Rewards, an independent hotel loyalty program that gives members the option to get cash back on stays or the ability to donate to meaningful causes when booking a stay. The hotel also regularly runs special offers on its website. At the time of publication, if you book a stay at the hotel before July 31, you could get 20 percent off your reservation. Nightly rates at Hotel Marina Riviera start from $199. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values .
