Author Archives: jessmc74

I was talking to a friend last week who is building a new home for himself and his family. It’s fairly contemporary in style but their current home is traditional. He was saying how he’s most worried about their furniture not looking like it belongs in the new house. With all the expenses of buildingContinue reading “Decorating on a budget”

Back in 2007, during the house flipping craze, homes all over LA were bought and then cheaply “renovated” before going back on the market a month later for double the price. Having spent the good part of a year searching for a mid-century modern home within our price range and being outbid on some homesContinue reading “Renovating a renovated kitchen”

For years I’ve been hearing about the famous Clifton’s Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles. One of several southern California cafeterias owned by the Clinton family, each with a theme decor, Clifton’s Brookdale opened in 1932 on Broadway. Since this is a design blog, not a history blog, I’ll spare you the historical details and direct youContinue reading “Field Trip – Clifton’s Cafeteria”

One of the best things about Los Angeles is the variety of architectural styles. From Santa Monica to Pasadena you’ll find amazing examples of Spanish colonial revival, storybook, mid-century modern, French Normandy, tudor, and of course American craftsman style. I’m embarrassed to admit that last week was my first time visiting Greene & Greene’s Gamble houseContinue reading “Field trip – The Gamble House”

Ah, Heath Ceramics. Where to begin… When we first began thinking about the work we wanted to do on our house, adding ceramic tile from Heath was at the top of our list. Started in San Francisco in 1948 by ceramicist Edith Heath, Heath quickly became known for their range of shapes and beautiful glazesContinue reading “Heath Ceramics – Obsession worthy”

One benefit to living is Los Angeles is the access to many Estate Sales. Estate Sales are essentially really great garage sales in which every item in the home is for sale. Companies are hired by families of recently deceased, or incapacitated people who can no longer live at home, to clear a house before it’sContinue reading “Estate Sale Finds”

Forty years before Jonathan Adler was mass producing 1960s style ceramics, Stan Bitters was pioneering the organic modernist crafts movement. His work ranges from large architectural installations to birdhouses and lanterns. His largest installations can be found in many of California’s public building built in the 60s, as well as in the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs.Continue reading “California Artist Stan Bitters”

When we first moved to LA from Chicago in 2006, we were obsessed with mid-century modern architecture and searched relentlessly to find a mcm home both within our price range and in a desirable neighborhood. Coming from a city with virtually no indoor/outdoor living or yards larger than postage stamps, the idea of beamed ceilings leadingContinue reading “Reclaiming Mid-century Modern”