LA'S MOST EXOTIC SETTINGS FOR SALE

One of the most exotic setting is the Sowden House build in 1927 by Lloyd Wright (Frank Lloyd Wright's son) and restored by designer Xorin Balbes (2002, 2009.
John Sowden house is also known as The "Jaws House" and noted for its use of the ornamented concrete blocks and for its unusual facade, resembling either a Mayan temple or the gaping open mouth of great white shark.
The original owner, John Sowden (painter, photographer) hired his friend Lloyd Wright to build the home in Los Feliz.
The house has been recognize as one of Lloyd Wright's most important works and a landmark in Los Angeles.
From 1945-1951 the house was owned by Dr. George Hodel, a prime suspect in the "Black Dahlia" murder. The doctors son Steve Hodel Los Angeles homicide detective claimed in his 2003 book "Black Dahlia Avenger" that the victim Elizabeth Short, was tortured, murdered and dissected by his father inside the Sowden House in 1947.
You my recognize the house from as home of Ava Gardner in the movie "The Aviator".
Like to share some photos from the house as I had the pleasure to visit it before the sale, the house is offered at $4,200,000. Small price for a historic gem.
If you drive by the address is: 5121 Franklin Ave. Los Feliz, CA

PARIS; LIFE & LUXURY

For a few days now I have been seeing around Los Angeles banners advertising exhibit at The J. Paul Getty Museum "PARIS; LIFE & LUXURY" and today I decided to go and see it.
And what a day it was! The weather was perfect, the gardens in fool bloom and the exhibit fantastic.
A little note from the museum about this exhibition; "Evoking the elegant, prosperous world of Rococo Paris, this major international loan exhibition brings to life activities that took place inside a Parisian town house over the course of a typical day-from dressing and letter writing to dining, music, and other evening entertainments. It brings together a wide variety of objects-from candlesticks and firedogs, to furniture and clocks, dressing gowns and jewelry, musical instruments and games-all from elite society in Paris, The fashion and cultural epicenter of Europe at the time."
"Paris was a center of great cultural achievement and artistic creativity during the reign of Louis XV from 1723-1774" and I am so grateful to be able to see master work of some of that time under appreciated man.
The exhibit is until August 7, 2011 but if not just to see the artwork go and see the gardens or just have a minute seating and taking in the beauty of that place.
I did had more then a minute looking at the architecture of the Getty Center, the views over Los Angeles and just think about why I moved to California, and I now know why......

Bungalow Heaven

It dose sounds fantastic and it was! On Sunday, April 10.2011 I had a pleasure to view Arts and Crafts homes in beautiful city Pasadena California. It was amazing weather to walk from home to home. The organizer of this yearly event i a home association 'Bungalow Heaven"- www.bungalowheaven.org Here is some info from the association web " Tucked in the deep of the California Oaks that line the streets is a bit of paradise, Bungalow Heaven residents say".
I got to know that the neighborhood was added to the U.S National Register of Historic Places, and as a member of national Trust For Historic Preservation makes me glad to know that we have some think like that at our door step.
I hear all the time that investors/builders demolish beautiful houses just because of the cost to preserve the old house and it makes me think how come that we can go to other country's and admire the historical sites but here at home we demolish them!!
Maybe it's time to live some history for the kids to be proud of.
On that Sunday I seen eight homes and many of the homes maintain the authentic Arts & Crafts style some of them even had Mission- style furniture and decor of the period.
My self guided tour ended with a "Living History" with actors portraying homeowners of the period, in a 1912 bungalow furnished with authentic mid-century pieces and mid-century inspired decor. This is what the proud homeowner talk about; " This eclectic mix of arts & crafts architecture and mid-century furnishings works beautifully, as several of the elements of both architectural styles have commonalities". Unfortunately pictures were not aloud inside the homes.
In did everything blended well together even me!..

DO's and Don'ts in Feng Shui

DO arrange your kitchen with a wall behind the stove, rather than placing the stove on an island or peninsula. The wall provides solid, continual support to the prosperity of your family. If you are not planning to remodel soon, use decorative stove covers or screens, available at kitchenware shops, to create a wall effect.
DON'T install more than one stove. Rather then doubling your wealth, this will divide it. Instead, increase the number of burners on the stove top.
DO put your computer in the North or West area of your office to enhance your creativity. Place the computer in the SE if you use it to generate income.
DON'T have any mirrors in your office, as they can reflect negative energy
from clients to other people in the room.
You should always maintain control over energy in your office.
DO wear nine Chinese coins in any combination of jewelry, such as earrings, bracelets, brooches, or rings, to attract good fortune.
DON'T hang any coins on your back door; this represents your money living the premises!
DO position your Buddha diagonally across from and facing the door, which is the position of power and honor in the room.
DON'T put your Buddha on the ground so that people look down on him. Keep him level with or higher than the occupants of the room.
DO choose bedding and linens in solid colors. If they have patterns, avoid geometric, angular designs that emanate negative energy and disturb your rest.
DON'T position a bed on the short wall of a room with a pitched ceiling. The energy of the sloping ceiling will press down on the bed's occupant.

DO keep your aquarium at a level about waist-high,and an odd number of fish; this represents yang energy.

DON'T put an aquarium in or facing a bathroom or a bedroom.

This is considered unlucky and can result in loss of fortune.

DO keep a representation of a bat in a SW area to encourage marital contentment.

DON'T buy wedding rings or gowns from a divorced person. (got a hint?)

And most of all have fun with Feng Shui.

Check out the KraftMaid Define Your Style $50,000 Dream Kitchen Contest

Check out the KraftMaid Define Your Style $50,000 Dream Kitchen Contest
I am very exited that my presentation board was accepted to the contest.

Architect Frank Gehry talks LEED and the future of green building | Need to Know | PBS

This is a fantastic and inspirational interview with Frank Gehry about "green design"

Architect Frank Gehry talks LEED and the future of green building Need to Know PBS

Sustainable Garden

I visited Pacific Design Center many times before and payed attention to the building a cross the street on Melrose blvd. in West Hollywood, it was dark, depressing and overgrown with ivy.

And we know how difficult it is to get read of ivy.

To my surprise not long ago I noticed a new tenant, The famous "Balenciaga" designer had open it showroom and completely change the inside and the most important the front yard.

Picture says a thousand words, but if you are in the neighborhood please go and see how the landscape designer created a sustainable garden with rocks and succulents.

I just love to see more of it in Los Angeles.