FEATURED POST:
HOLLYWOOD SIGNS: THE GOLDEN AGE OF GLITTERING GRAPHICS AND GLOWING NEON
We recently discovered a book called Hollywood Signs: The Golden Age of Glittering Graphics and Glowing Neon. What an absolute treat for design and Hollywood history fans alike. While we at Modern Living LA tend to focus on houses and buildings, these iconic signs play a pivotal roll in our appreciation of the structures they adorn. Great design lies at the intersection of architecture and these historic signs. Several of these signs were actually created by the architectural firms commissioned to design the buildings. The still standing Cinerama Dome Theater by Welton Becket and Associates exhibits its playfully colorful letters in bright lights. Sardi’s restaurant designed by Rudolph Schindler displays an elegant neon sign in sans serif font. The streamline moderne Earl Carroll Theater on Sunset Blvd by Gordon Kaufman generously used neon in the exterior signs and vertical piping along the building sides. We’re told it is going thru a renovation and may reopen. The building was originally praised in California Arts and Architecture (the predecessor to Arts and Architecture magazine).
We have a new found appreciation for these remarkable sign and value the efforts made to save the ones we’ve not lost.
And, a special thanks to Kathy Kikkert for preserving all of these signs on the pages of her book.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bun Burger in
Turin Italy
COBRA STUDIOS
Klaus Micke | Professional Photographer
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT – STEELCASE
Dr Wilkenson’s Resort or … Napa Wellness Retreat?
HOLLYWOOD SIGNS
Wyman Bar at the Bradbury Building in Downtown LA
Eileen Gray’s E-1027 Villa and Side Table
HOLLYWOOD SIGNS: THE GOLDEN AGE OF GLITTERING GRAPHICS AND GLOWING NEON
We recently discovered a book called Hollywood Signs: The Golden Age of Glittering Graphics and Glowing Neon. What an absolute treat for design and Hollywood history fans alike. While we at Modern Living LA tend to focus on houses and buildings, these iconic signs play a pivotal roll in our appreciation of the structures they adorn. Great design lies at the intersection of architecture and these historic signs. Several of these signs were actually created by the architectural firms commissioned to design the buildings. The still standing Cinerama Dome Theater by Welton Becket and Associates exhibits its playfully colorful letters in bright lights. Sardi’s restaurant designed by Rudolph Schindler displays an elegant neon sign in sans serif font. The streamline moderne Earl Carroll Theater on Sunset Blvd by Gordon Kaufman generously used neon in the exterior signs and vertical piping along the building sides. We’re told it is going thru a renovation and may reopen. The building was originally praised in California Arts and Architecture (the predecessor to Arts and Architecture magazine).
We have a new found appreciation for these remarkable sign and value the efforts made to save the ones we’ve not lost.
And, a special thanks to Kathy Kikkert for preserving all of these signs on the pages of her book.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT – STEELCASE
Who’s ready to go back to the office full time? Well, we might not be there yet, but how about this Flank Lloyd Wright collection of office furniture from Steelcase? The original furniture from FLW was designed for the SC Johnson Corporation. Today’s collection includes re-introductions of these pieces and new designs “rooted in Frank Lloyd Wright’s principles”. We’re inspired. If only we could get the office manager to fit the bill.
COBRA STUDIOS ART DECO TRANSFORMATION
Cobra Studios Art Deco Transformation
Cobra Studios Art Deco Transformation The future of the ideal post covid office space is still TBD. But, if we can expect it to look anything like this futuristic 30’s Art Deco transformation in Belgium by @cobra_studios, we’re in! Thanks to @_sightunseen_ for turning us onto this.
Cobra studios is a Brussels based creative studio founded by Kenny Decommer and Hugues Delaunay. Cobra studios is created to counterbalance the current furniture and design scene. Based on a post-modernistic aesthetic, the goal is to collide geometrical shapes in order to create new usable volumetrics. Transparency, translucency and opacity are countered to create sculptural pieces. Contradiction is key, the world is boring, let’s indulge the pieces with colour. Hard shapes need to collide with soft touches. The pieces need to be minimalistic yet very decorative. Every piece needs to withstand time and art movements. Cobra Studios tends towards creating a world of its own, a certain form of light living, naïve but such fun.
Bun Burger in Turin Italy
We almost don’t care what the burgers taste like (but, we’re sure they’re delicious)!
This Memphis design influenced burger restaurant by Masquespacio is a visual treat.
Bun Burger in Turin Italy | Photography by Gregory Abbate
THIS WAY FOR MORE INFORMATION…
Klaus Micke | Professional Photographer
Take it from Klaus, we could all use a bit more color in our lives. His Minimalism is magical!
Follow him on instagram: klausmicke
Klaus Micke: Professional Photographer I Germany I Oberhausen
– Searching for Beauty – Following the Light – A Picture Each Day –
Wyman Bar at the Bradbury Building in Downtown LA
Our young(ish) minds were awestruck when first visiting the Bradbury building downtown. Built in 1893, the fairly non-descript exterior gives way to a steam punk dreamscape of futuristic open bird cage elevators, wrought iron grillwork and an awe inspiring glass ceiling. And, yes, of course, it was featured in Bladerunner. Now, however, the private club, Neuehouse, has commission The Design Agency to create a 21st Century homage in the form of the Wyman Bar located inside the building. For a limited time, it seems like non members can partake in some 19th Century style revelry.
THIS WAY FOR MORE INFORMATION…
6121 Sunset Blvd. | Los Angeles, California, USA 90028 | +1 213 246 2818
info@thedesignagency.ca
Napa and Wellness Retreat? Don’t mind if we do…
When we just need a break and want to do it in style,
it’s never a bad idea to hit a wellness retreat in Napa.
Whether kickin’ it old school with a mid mod vibe at
Dr Wilkenson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs..
… or we want to be pampered
at the height of luxury in
a resort like Auberge Du Soleil
Our goal is to be
surrounded by
well thought out design.
Eileen Gray’s E-1027 Villa and Side Table
“To create, one must first question everything” Eileen Gray
Not long ago, we had the privilege of staying at a gorgeous private residence in the town of Roquebrune visited by the likes of Princess Grace and Audrey Hepburn back in the day. A visit to the beach below is where we came across what we knew in our bones to be a significant architectural modern home.
You’ll be more familiar with the table that was created to go into the house. You know the one: circular glass top with a chrome frame. It’s quite an accomplishment that this iconic design is hugely popular a century later. Eileen Gray created the design for this table in the 1920’s for the very home we saw perched above the Mediterranean Sea. Known as E-1027, she designed the home for herself to live in. The house still stands today. It is currently owned by a national preservation association and is available for guided tours.
Eileen Gray’s modernist E-1027 villa revealed in photographs by Manuel Bougot
Eileen Gray designed a series of furniture prototypes for the house, among them the small side table which became Gray’s most famous furniture design. She is said to have designed this table for her sister Thora to allow her to have breakfast in bed when visiting.
Eileen Gray retrospective in New York features work “never shown before”
If you would like to know more, call 310.622.0312 or email Brian Courville.
Whether Mid Century Architectural, Spanish, Luxury, or Classic Los Angeles design, MODERN LIVING LA
is here to guide you home. Follow us on Instagram @modernlivingla
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