architecture tours silver lake

Project Description

Los angeles – silver lake.

Languages available:  EN ES

Customizable tour:  Yes

Recommended group size per guide: 25

Duration: 4 hours

DESCRIPTION – Los Angeles: Silver Lake

Silver Lake  is located in the northwest of  Los Angeles  and it is a neighborhood with the motliest blend between new “hipster” trends (Forbes magazine named it in 2012 as the world’s most modern neighborhood in the world, even more than the Williamsburg in New York) and elegant houses in the hills. Sunset Boulevard is full of cafes, clubs, vintage stores and design. The Silver Lake Reservoir and the Ivanhoe Reservoir create a beautiful natural area and the steep stairs lead to the residential streets.

The neighborhood is not only fashionable, but has many of the houses of the great architect Richard Neutra . We will also approach the nearby neighborhood “Los Feliz” (also part of our tour of  Frank Lloyd Wright ) where other Neutra houses are placed.

Discover in our guided tour by an architect the colony of  Neutra houses , right next to the lake reserve, home of the world’s largest concentration of houses by the architect. The tour includes Richard Neutra home , where he lived for four decades, the  Lovell Health House . We will also visit his study (Neutra Office) where he worked from the fifties until his death in 1970.

On the way, we will also discover the Schindler House or Schindler-Chace House  (nowadays known as the MAK Center for Art and Architecture), one of the most important works of the Viennese architect  Rudolf Schindler , and his own home and studio until his death in 1953.

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Los angeles – silver lake, 30 comments.

Hi. I’m interested in going on the Silver Lake tour tomorrow. Can you give me more information on the times, meeting point, prices, and whether it’s walking or by bus or car? Thank you.

Hello Emma, Thanks for your comment. Please, check out your email, we answered you there. Best regards, Artchitectours.

Hi. I’m interested in going on the Silver Lake tour tomorrow – for 2 people. Can you give me more information on the times, meeting point, prices, and whether it’s walking or by bus or car? Thank you. Kathy

Hello Kathy, Thanks for your comment. Please, check out your email, we answered you there. Best regards, Artchitectours.

Hello I’m interested in doing this tour tomorrow with 3 people. Can I get more details?

We’re interested in the Silver Lake tour

Hello Thom, Thanks for your comment. Please, check out your email, we answered you there. Best regards, Artchitectours.

Hi! We are interested in going on the Silver Lake tour in a few weeks. We will be in town from the 8th to the 17th. Can you give us more information on the dates, times, meeting point and prices?

Hi. We are going to be in LA from de 8th to de 17th of april and we would love going on the Silver Lake tour.

Can you give me more information on the dates, times, meeting point, and prices of the tour? Thank you!

Hello Virginia, Thanks for your comment. Please, send us an email to [email protected] and we’ll reply as soon as possible! Best regards, Artchitectours.

Hello, I’m interested in doing the Silverlake tour. Could you please provide more information regarding available dates, time and price.

Hello Detzen, We have sent you an email with all the information. Thank you, Artchitectours.

Hello, I am interested in the Silverlake tour for 2 persons between December 23 and 30, 2023. Would something be available at this time? Thanks so much!

Hello Barbara, We have sent you a reply by email. Thank you, Artchitectours.

Hi! i’m interested in the Silver Lake trip, 2 people, tomorrow, can I get details? 🙂

Hello Marian, We have sent you a reply by email. Thank you, Artchitectours.

Hi! i’m interested in the Silver Lake trip, 2 people, sometime between Nov 13 and 16. Thanks!

Hello Carina, We have sent you a reply by email. Thank you, Artchitectours.

Hello, I’m interested in the Silver Lake and Hollywood houses for two,

How do I reserve and purchase tickets? What are the times available for tours?

Hello AJ, We have sent you a reply by email. Thank you, Artchitectours.

Hello, I am interested in the Silverlake tour for 2 persons between April 16 and 17, 2024. Would something be available at this time? Thank you!

Hello Darina, We have sent you a reply by email. Thank you, Artchitectours.

Hello, we’d like to book the Silver Lake tour, someday in the week from 6th to 13th April. We are 3 people, all of us atchitects.

Hello Marta, We have sent you a reply by email. Thank you, Artchitectours.

Would like to book the Silver Lake Tour, for a party of two, possibly three, some time between Feb. 23 – 28, 2024. Thanks.

Hello John, We have sent you a reply by email. Thank you, Artchitectours.

Hello. Any chance of two for silverware tomorrow ? Saturday 24th Feb. I am passing through town. Many thanks Best wishes Anousheh

Hello Anousheh, We have sent you a reply by email. Thank you, Artchitectours.

Hi. We are a familiy of five and are going to visit LA from de 17th to de 20th of july . My husband is an architect we would love going on the Silver Lake tour. The kids are 16, 13 and 12 years old and interested in architecture.

Can you give us more information on the dates, times, meeting point, and prices of the tour? Thank you!

Hello Marisa, We have sent you a reply by email. Thank you, Artchitectours.

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Architecture Tours L.A. - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

An Architect's Guide to Silver Lake

One highlight of my recent visit to Los Angeles was a whirlwind tour of Silver Lake with the great architect Barbara Bestor, who has lived there since 1988. She drove me around, pointing out architectural (and culinary) highlights, and offering insight into the neighborhood's unique creative culture (she should know—she wrote a book about the place a few years ago, called Bohemian Modern: Living in Silver Lake). Here's the scoop.

Guide Yourself Through Your Own Silver Lake Architecture Tour

Has walking around the block gotten too boring? Are you running out of things to keep yourself busy during quarantine? Well, we are here to suggest a fun activity. If you would like to get out of your house, enjoy the fresh air, and be creatively fulfilled for a while, here’s how. We’ve curated a self-guided tour of beautiful Silver Lake architecture. The area is home to quite a lot of beautiful buildings . Here’s a quick guide on what you can check out.

John Lautner and Silver Lake Architecture

John Lautner redefined the look of Los Angeles by introducing what was later known as Googie architecture. Inspired by the Space Age, car culture, and the Atomic Age, Lautner and his contemporaries influenced the identity of the city through venues that would be considered rather mundane, such as diners and coffee shops. For around thirty years, the architect himself called Silver Lake his home. A walk down the beautiful Micheltorena Street will give you a glimpse at some of the houses he designed. This includes his own. You can find the Baldwin House at 1949 Micheltorena St, the Lautner House (in which he lived) at 2007 Micheltorena St, and the famous Silvertop House at 2138 Micheltorena St.

Richard Neutra’s Gorgeous Residences

Richard Neutra is often considered one of the most influential modernist architects of the mid-twentieth century. The houses he designed are all over movies, photographs, and retrospectives that have come to define the public’s perception of Los Angeles. A lot of the homes he designed are in Westwood and Pasadena. Still, Neutra himself had his home, studio, and offices in Silver Lake. The famous Neutra VDL Studio and Residence can be seen in all of its glory at 2300 Silver Lake Blvd, only a few blocks away from the Neutra Office Building at 2379 Glendale Blvd. However, if you want to head up north to Los Feliz you can see his famous Lovell House . Located at 4616 Dundee Drive, the home is not only considered a turning point in Neutra’s career. It is also a major monument in architectural history.

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Architecture Tours L.A.

Architecture Tours L.A. provides driving tours throughout the Los Angeles area focusing on significant historic and contemporary architecture, history and culture.

Resource Details

Phone number, contact name, contact email.

• www.architecturetoursla.com

Tours currently offered every day of the week: Downtown, Hollywood, Silver Lake, West Hollywood/Beverly Hills, Hancock Park/Miracle Mile, Pasadena, a special Frank Lloyd Wright tour, and a special Frank Gehry tour.

Custom tours can also be arranged.

Tours are guided by an architectural historian and guidebook author.

Neighborhood tours are approximately 2-3 hours in length; cost $80.00 per person. The special FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT tour is approximately 3-4 hours in length; cost is $100.00 per person. The special FRANK GEHRY tour is about 3 1/2-4 1/2 hours in length, cost is $100.00 per person.

Architecture Tours L.A.

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• April 29, 2024

Touring Silver Lake’s Mid-Century Modern Gems

I am always on the lookout for new ways to see Los Angeles and learn about its rich history. While I love exploring the city on my own and do that as often as I can, I’ve found that taking a tour is an equally satisfying way to go – not to mention a good use of my time. With a knowledgeable guide, I can learn more about a particular place in a short period of time than would be possible if I just went out and wandered.

With that in mind, I recently participated in a driving tour of the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles run by Architecture Tours L.A . For those who aren’t familiar with the area, it’s a socio-economically diverse part of Los Angeles located about five miles northwest of downtown LA and east of Hollywood between Los Feliz and Echo Park.

Silver Lake is characterized by hilly terrain, narrow streets, beautiful vistas and a large number of homes designed by a veritable who’s who of mid-century design, such as Richard Neutra (1892-1970), Gregory Ain (1908 – 1988), John Lautner (1911-1994), R.M. Schindler (1887-1953) and Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. (1890 – 1978; aka Lloyd Wright). The tour focused on this collection of homes.

Our guide that morning was Laura Massino Smith, who owns the company and is an architectural historian, interior designer and guidebook author. While not a native Angeleno, she has lived in the city for many years, studied its rich architectural heritage and parlayed her knowledge of and love for the city into a well-respected business.

“I decided to move to Los Angeles 26 years ago because I fell in love with the openness of the city and the creative flow of expression here,” she explained. “I earned a Master’s degree from Cal State LA in Art History in 1995, but all of my course work focused on the architecture of L.A. ending with my thesis subject of Postmodern Architecture in Los Angeles, which traced the development of the history of architecture in Los Angeles up until 1995.”

I met Massino Smith and the three other people who joined me on the tour at 9:00 am on a Saturday morning. It was one of those beautiful, crystal clear winter days in LA that pull you outdoors and make you appreciate life in southern California. The light was bright, the colors vivid and the surrounding mountains – green from the recent rains – seemed within arms reach. A perfect day to tour the rolling hills of Silver Lake and appreciate why this area is such an ideal setting for the mid-century aesthetic characterized by open floor plans, clean lines, large and plentiful windows and lots of natural light.

After gathering near the spot where Walt Disney built his first animation studio and made Snow White , we climbed into Massino Smith’s minivan and began the tour. During the two and a half hours we were together, we saw approximately 50 sites, such as the Reiner-Burchill Residence (aka “Silvertop” – 1957) designed by John Lautner, the McAlmon House (1935-36) by R.M. Schindler and the Avenel Homes (1947) by Gregory Ain.

While the vehicle used on the tour is very comfortable and easily accommodated me and the three other passengers, it’s not really conducive to windshield viewing. By that I mean it was difficult, if not impossible, to see some of the buildings we drove by when I was sitting on the opposite side of the van. This was particularly true when the building was located up on a hill.

To help address that problem, Massino Smith had us switch seats during the tour and get out of the van at several points along the way. I particularly enjoyed our stop at what’s known as the Neutra Colony, a collection of eight houses designed by Richard Neutra and one by him and his son Dion Neutra (b. 1926), all clustered between Silver Lake Boulevard and Earl Street. Because the houses sat side-by-side, we saw first hand how Richard Neutra refined his vision of the modern house between 1948 and 1961.

From what I could see from the street as we walked the area, my favorite structure by far was the Ohara House (1961). This well proportioned, beautifully landscaped home is on the uphill side of the street, providing excellent views of the Silver Lake Reservoir. Since we couldn’t get inside the house, what struck me most was how gracefully it sits on the lot and how appealing I found the horizontal lines of the cantilevered steps that connect the house with the sidewalk below.

As we drove up and down Silver Lake’s winding streets, we were afforded a number of fantastic views that help explain why this neighborhood is so desirable. Around one corner we spied the Hollywood sign – around another the Griffith Park Observatory . At one point on the tour we even caught sight of the Pacific Ocean, approximately 17 miles off in the distance (yes – it was that clear). Most often, however, we found ourselves looking down on or across the Silver Lake Reservoir, after which the neighborhood was named.

The Silver Lake Reservoir is one of two “open-air” water storage facilities that are the centerpiece of the neighborhood. The other, smaller reservoir is called Ivanhoe and was named, so the story goes, after the Sir Walter Scott novel published in 1819. Both were developed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in the early 1900s. The Silver Lake Reservoir was named after Herman Silver, a member of the city’s first Board of Water Commissioners.

Massino Smith proved to be an outstanding guide. She is passionate about architecture and Los Angeles history, very knowledgeable about the buildings we visited and the architects who designed them, and willing and able to answer the many questions that I, and the other tour participants, asked her. She also was so familiar with the tour route that we travelled from one site to another with little backtracking and on streets that offered us excellent views of both the neighboring hills and the flatlands below.

When I asked Massino Smith what she enjoyed most about leading her tours, she said that it comes down to the response she gets from “…people who have never looked at the city from a historical and architectural point of view. They are amazed at the variety and quality of architecture we have here and are fascinated by the “anything goes” attitude.”

While the buildings that we saw on the Silver Lake tour speak for themselves in many ways, Massino Smith did an excellent job putting them in context. She helped us understand why they were built in that area (steep hillside lots were inexpensive), how they challenged traditional principles of design and spatial characteristics, and in some cases, what they look like inside through the use of photographs.

If you’re interested in learning more about Silver Lake’s rich architectural heritage, I highly recommend spending a few hours with Laura Massino Smith. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for that part of the city and a better understanding of why Los Angeles is known worldwide as a center for architectural experimentation and innovation.

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Architecture Tours L.A.

If you want a unique L.A. experience, then this is the tour for you!

WELCOME TO ARCHITECTURE TOURS LOS ANGELES

Are you ready for a different kind of sight seeing tour? This is an excellent way to get to know the City of Angels. Our tours are guided by an architectural historian and guidebook author who knows her way around. Looking for something off the beaten path?  See the exciting structures that make L.A. the dynamic city it is and see the REAL Los Angeles!!!

Architecture Tours Los Angeles will introduce to you and explore the unique and fascinating architecture of Los Angeles. Long regarded as the city of the future, L.A. is home to some of the most original and innovative architecture in the United States and the world, as well as being home to virtually every conceivable historic style, reflecting the diversity and imagination of the people who live here.

Our various tours cover different neighborhoods in the city and highlight the architecture, history and culture of that area. The tours focus on unusual and outstanding architectural gems of this dynamic metropolis. You’ll see structures ranging in style from Egyptian Revival to Chateauesque and Tudor to sleek mid-Century modern to Post-Modern, all in the comfort of a deluxe van with bucket seats, strong air-conditioning and two sun roofs for maximum visibility.

Tour Descriptions

Tours offered daily usually at 10:00AM, by reservation Two person minimum required All tours driven in an air-conditioned mini-van with 2 sunroofs for maximum visibility More ...

Reservations

** Reservations are required! ** To make a reservation, call Architecture Tours L.A. at (323) 464-7868 or e-mail [email protected]. NOTE: Reservations are confirmed using Square, More ...

Books written by architectural historian Laura Massino Smith now available at http://www.amazon.com and http://www.schifferbooks.com Search by Author:Massino or Title:Architecture Tours L.A ** LATEST BOOK PUBLISHED More ...

Tour a 1930s Silver Lake Home That’s Now an Ode to Iconic Sea Ranch Modernism

California’s modernist utopia was the main inspiration for the home.

If you’re an architecture buff, you most likely know about Sea Ranch , the residential community that was built in the 1960s along a 10-mile stretch on the Northern California coast. It’s a modernist utopia, with the homes fitting seamlessly into the beautiful landscape, and featuring wood siding and sloping roofs. The architectural style has been the inspiration for many homes, including musician Drew Straus’s recently renovated 1930s home in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Originally a 1,300-square-foot ranch-style home , it was in serious need of a refresh. “It had a lot of deferred maintenance and there were some issues with the layout,” explains Rachel Bullock, who oversaw the project through her L.A.-based architecture, furniture, and interiors studio, LAUN . “There were two bedrooms with closets that opened into the other rooms, so privacy was lacking. Luckily, the site itself was incredible so we knew there was so much potential for this property. It has sweeping views of the city and the lot had terraced levels that could be used for the garden and the pool.” 

So with that potential in mind, Bullock and her team took cues from the modernist Sea Ranch ethos, rooting the renovation design in the unique topography of the home’s site. That idea was also in line with Straus’s vision for his house. “Drew wanted a soothing, sophisticated, but dynamic material palette in keeping with the spirit of Silver Lake,” Bullock says. “There is an ethos of warm minimalism mixed with a sense of craft and handmade details throughout the home, which has also been designed to maximize its panoramic views of Los Angeles while retaining a sense of privacy.” Ultimately, the space was expanded to 1,900 square feet with three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

For the exteriors, Bullock and team used a lot of natural materials. Straus selected Alaskan Cedar cladding and a new copper roof, for example, which will develop a beautiful deep brown patina over time. “We did not originally plan to replace the roof but after demolition it became clear that there was some strange framing above the ceiling,” she says. “This gave us the opportunity to raise the roof height and add the lovely exposed beams seen throughout the main floor.”

Inside, the layout was changed and optimized to showcase the beautiful views outside. “The upper level has been transformed into an open-plan kitchen-dining-living area that sits alongside an existing covered porch with views to the West,” Bullock says. “The living room roof was replaced with open beams; hemlock interior ceilings and kitchen millwork extend the natural palette alongside white oak floors and create a sense of warmth. Open-plan living is balanced with discrete ‘zones’ for living, dining, and kitchen areas that were delineated by strategically placed millwork and shelving.” And a small enclosed porch off the kitchen became a dining nook, which is now one of Straus’s favorite places to hang out.

An addition was created for the bedroom wing, and two existing smaller bedrooms made way for a big primary suite that features sweeping views. “The primary bath is one of my favorite spaces. It has a custom-glazed and hand-painted tile installation that Straus commissioned by the L.A.-based artist Sara Bright ,” Bullock says. “The process of designing the space to highlight Sara’s work and collaborating closely with the client and artist, was definitely a highlight that resulted in a very special private space that is not only serene and functional but has a site-specific, one-of-a-kind art work. We love working with our clients to commission local makers and artists to create a very personal and custom piece in each of our projects.”

The lower level has another bedroom, but that floor is mostly a creative space for Straus with a recording studio and office. Large wood windows in those rooms create a connection with the terraced backyard and lap pool outside.

While the main palette of the home is mostly neutral with white and wood, there are some playful moments of color, like the front door that Straus sourced on eBay, which was painted a bright cobalt blue, plus the vintage living room furniture, yellow tiling in the bathroom, and bright hardware sourced from Spinardi di Milano. “Straus is a collector of art and ceramics; he loves design and sourcing vintage and contemporary pieces for his home,” Bullock explains. “Vintage furniture, rugs, and artwork passed down from Straus’ grandmother fill the space and our job was to provide a subtle backdrop for these more vibrant moments to shine.”

It’s no surprise that Straus is happy with the renovation. “Drew loves the calmness of the finished space and the way the home has been designed to take advantage of its incredible views of the city,” Bullock adds. “He works on his music from his lower level studio and has found a lot of inspiration living among its natural materials and indoor/outdoor living.”

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Richard Neutra’s Modernist masterpiece in Silver Lake named national landmark

Neutra lived here for decades

An architectural treasure in Silver Lake just got a big national shout out and some hefty recognition: The Richard Neutra-designed VDL Studio and Residences was named a National Historic Landmark.

The former home and workspace of the famed architect was one of 24 landmarks across the country recognized today, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior announced.

Built in 1932, the structure, located across from the Silver Lake Reservoir and Meadow, was Neutra’s family home and studio for nearly three decades. Though the house was damaged by a 1963 fire, but Neutra and his son, Dion, rebuilt the house, and the elder Neutra lived there until his death in 1970.

In the statement announcing the newly minted national landmarks, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell contextualized the importance of the VDL house, saying:

During the 1940s, as Neutra’s work evolved, he also became the well-recognized founder of mid-century “California Modern” architecture. The VDL Research House is the only property where one can see the progression of his style over a period of years and is among the key properties to understanding the national significance of Richard Neutra.

The Neutra house was gifted to Cal Poly Pomona in 1980 by Neutra’s widow, Dione. In 2009, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This latest designation as a National Historic Landmark is intended to go an extra step, to help sites get “technical assistance, recognition and funding to help preserve our nation's shared history and create close-to-home recreation opportunities,” says the official release.

Neutra VDL Research House

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Architecture Tour | Silver Lake

Architecture tour | silver lake.

An architecture tour is a great thing to do in Silver Lake. It is no secret that Silver Lake is full of wonderful architecture.

Earlier this week, we posted a blog about Richard Neutra and his influence in the Silver Lake area. He is one of the many inspirations that mark the character of Silver Lake – and his work can be seen on many of the architecture tours.

One of the most famous streets when it comes to architecture is Micheltorena in Silver Lake. It features John Lautner’s famous Silvertop house, as well as designs by Rudolph Schindler (who worked closely with Neutra), Gregory Ain, Robert D. Farquhar.

The Micheltorena Street Architecture Tour is a one-mile stretch of 13 private homes that have a unique architectural history. It is a great tour to go on and get a little exercise and fresh air. The tour is a little bit slower than most of the other tours in Los Angeles because you have walking time that allows you to admire each place a little longer.

Silver Lake features architectural work of both modern and not-modern designs. The areas run all over Los Angeles, but many of the much-coveted areas are within Silver Lake.

Another great architecture tour is Architecture Tours L.A.. They have various tours (which means you can take several tours!) that go through several different neighborhoods. With Los Angeles having just about every type or architectural style invented, it is really easy to see the diversity that runs through the location. Plus, these tours are from the comfort of a van and air-conditioning – a great idea even in the summer.

Architecture tours offer a look into unique architecture styles you wouldn’t normally see. Silver Lake is a great place to take an architecture tour. We bet you haven’t seen all these beautiful styles before!

For more ideas of what to do in Silver Lake, or for beautiful listings in the area, like our Facebook Page .

About the Author: Steve Clark

For a proud dad and former professional drummer who spent the majority of his time on the road, home is a pretty big deal to Steve Clark. He’s extremely passionate about helping his clients make the best decisions they possible can when it comes to buying and selling their homes. Clark is known for his candor, compassion, and eagerness to make his clients happy. Clark always has his finger on the current in real estate, and has become well-known for his utilization of social media and technology to enrich the experience.

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Tour the Charming Silver Lake Home of a Hollywood Screenwriter

By Paola Singer

Photography by Haris Kenjar

Novelist and television writer Patrick Somerville and his wife, Alexis, had resisted the idea of calling Los Angeles home. For nearly a decade, they kept extending the lease of their Silver Lake rental, thinking that someday soon they’d move back to the Midwest, where they’re both from, and raise their three children there. But when Somerville’s miniseries Station Eleven got picked up by HBO Max (it’s an eerily prescient post-apocalyptic saga that struck a chord with viewers), and his plans to start a production company began to materialize, the couple realized it was time to put down roots in Southern California.

They loved Silver Lake’s laid-back, family-friendly vibe, so they made an offer on a 1920s hillside property with attractive Tudor lines and a leafy backyard whose views stretched all the way to the Hollywood sign. But there was a catch: The space had recently undergone an insipid remodel that bleared its turn-of-the-century charm with run-of-the-mill finishes and an unfavorable layout. It needed a complete overhaul. “We bought the house for the potential, yet we were both so new to what the process entailed,” says Alexis Somerville, a psychotherapist, adding that there were moments of panic during their early days as homeowners. “This was our first purchase.” Realizing they were in over their heads, they called their good friend Meghan Eisenberg , an interior designer who’d worked at Joan Behnke & Associates and had just opened her own studio. Eisenberg helped them find an architect, Jeff Troyer , who proceeded to gut the property, relocating the front door, adding a central hallway, new bedrooms, a pool deck, and even the 1,000-square-foot of new living space carved out of a crawlway on the site’s downslope. To restore the construction’s old-world charm, Troyer and Eisenberg created vaulted ceilings covered in oak planks, laid classic chantilly parquet on interior floors and cobblestones on patios and terraces. “We wanted the architecture to look like it had been there forever,” says Eisenberg. “And the clients wanted the space to feel timeless but also relevant.”

Since the designer knew her clients pretty well (her husband, David Eisenberg, happens to be Patrick Somerville’s business partner in Tractor Beam , their new production company), it wasn’t hard for her to make choices that represented their “free-spirited side” without sacrificing the sophistication they sought. In the great room—a sunny enfilade that includes a salon, dining area, and kitchen—Eisenberg placed two voluminous sofas upholstered in a floral Tree of Life fabric over a braided jute rug, and a 19th-century farmhouse dining table surrounded by midcentury Henning Kjaernulf Razor chairs.

“A guiding principle in designing our home was that it be comfortable and beautiful but never too precious,” says Alexis. “I'm always drawn to an aesthetic that feels a bit 1970s bohemian, and I think that’s present throughout the house.” One of her favorite corners of the 2,400-square-foot property is the powder room, which features a dusty pink wallpaper with dancing nymphs reminiscent of a Matisse painting.

“I think that wallpaper drove the direction of this project, of being a place of enjoyment,” says the designer. “Somewhere warm and inviting and reflecting the fullness of this family’s life.”

As for Patrick, who was filming in Canada when the project was in full swing, he left most of the decorating choices to his wife and to Eisenberg. “I didn’t know what I wanted it to look like,” he says. “But I remember when we first saw the house, there was gentle breeze coming in from the ocean, and the feeling I had was ‘this is the place’”

Patrick Somerville, creator of the hit series Station Eleven , and his wife, Alexis, a psychotherapist, live in this Silver Lake chalet with their three children. The 1920s home had attractive Tudor lines and a spacious backyard with open views, but needed a gut renovation. Designer Meghan Eisenberg, together with architect Jeff Troyer, reimagined the layout and added classic elements like chantilly parquet, vaulted ceilings, oak beams. Interiors have a layered look that’s both timeless and relevant, reflecting the couple’s bohemian tastes. The great room’s dining area features a 19th-century farmhouse dining table surrounded by midcentury Henning Kjaernulf Razor chairs.

In the great room’s sitting area, Meghan Eisenberg placed two voluminous Nickey Kehoe sofas upholstered in a floral Tree of Life fabric over a braided jute rug from Alt for Living . “When we punched up to create the vaulted ceiling, the original fireplace vents were revealed—the six circular openings on either side of the fireplace—which I asked our contractors to leave in place,” says the designer. “They covered the openings with glass, which let beautiful afternoon light in.”

In the open kitchen, we see a custom oak island topped with calacatta paonazzo marble. The Cesca stools are by Marcel Breuer for Knoll ; the double-arm pendant is by Nickey Kehoe via The Urban Electric Company .

Vintage Charlotte Perriand chairs and a midcentury round table add rusticity to the kitchen’s breakfast nook. The pendant is an Italian piece from the ‘50s designed by Ignazio Gardella for Azucena .

By Sarah Archer

By David Nash

By Katherine McLaughlin

“I was drawn to the ethereal, celestial quality of it,” says Alexis Sommerville of the Maison C wallpaper in the powder room. “It reminds me of Greek and Roman mythology.”

In the primary suite, the designer followed her client’s taste for 1970s-inspired decor. The curved Nickey Kehoe sofa was covered in a camel corduroy; the olive-burl dresser is an ‘80s piece from Henredon , and the dainty shearling-covered side chair is from Crump & Kwash .

The linen hardboard of this Latigo bed from Amber Interiors has a color and texture reminiscent of Levi’s jeans. The matching indigo bed covers are from Hollywood at Home . On the nightstand, from Nickey Kehoe, is a speckled ivory orb lamp by Victoria Morris .

The timeless primary bath has a Rockwell freestanding tub from The Water Monopoly , a vintage Charlotte Perriand stool (via Panoplie ), and an antique rug.

A cane daybed from Serena & Lily , strewn with lilac pillows, helps set the atmosphere in this girls’ bedroom. The bamboo side table is from Jefferson West, and the chair is from Serena & Lily. “She'll be able to grow with it,” says the designer.

A sea of green can be seen in the kids’ bathroom, which features custom plaid tiles by Mosaic House and a shower curtain by Nickey Kehoe . The orb sconces are from In Common With .

Another bedroom inside the home.

One of the property’s decks. 

Outside, the pool area makes for a serene escape.

A final look at the home. Architect Jeff Troyer leveled the previously sloped garden. The views stretch all the way to the Hollywood sign.

By Gay Gassmann

By Stacie Stukin

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We're social too, architectural open house tour in the silver lake hills.

The design highlight of our recent trip to Los Angeles was a self-discovery architectural tour of Silver Lake. I had no idea Silver Lake was such a hot bed of architectural activity. So many of the houses, mid century modern in style, were designed by very well known architects, including Rudolf Schindler, Richard Neutra , John Lautner , and Frank Lloyd Wright to name a few.

The icing on the cake was a stop at an open house perched in the hills overlooking the Silver Lake Reservoir. The house was beautifully decorated and according to the real estate agent, Gisele Plouffe, the owners styled the house themselves. The owners of this house have really good taste. Before we take a closer look at the house I’d like to share a story told to us by Gisele.

Gisele described a party she attended given by the current owner of Silvertop, the Lautner designed house in the hills just behind her listing. Evidently the owner, in his 90s, told her the story of how John Lautner and Richard Neutra both had houses under construction on opposite sides of the Silverlake Reservoir, and how they tried to hide their projects from one another. As an architect, this rivalry didn’t surprise me in the least. Architects are famous for being protective of their work. If I hadn’t stopped at this open house I would never have learned about this little known, classic story.

John Lautner’s Silvertop House showing the dramatic driveway up and views to the Silver Lake Reservoir from the patio .

Here is the story in Gisele’s own words:

“ This story was told to me at a cocktail party at Silvertop, by the original owner of the home. Talk about the perfect setting for a Lautner/Neutra story! It all started when John Lautner was building “Silvertop” in 1957. It is such a huge masterpiece at the top of the hill, on the West side of Silver Lake. As you can imagine at that time, it stood out for all to see. This area is known as the Moreno Highlands, named after Antonio Moreno, actor, who had a huge estate there with his mistress in a home down the street. That’s another story. “At the same time that Lautner was under construction, his rival architect, Richard Neutra, was in the process of building a large project on the East side of Silver Lake. A cul de sac, lined with his homes. Name of the street – Neutra Place.

Silver Lake is very hilly and surrounds the lake, which enables homes to view each other from across the lake. There was quite a competitive spirit with both of these men, as well as a jealousy and mutual admiration, I suppose. Well Lautner did not want Neutra glancing across the lake to see what he was doing, perhaps stealing any ideas. So he had to do something to calm his concerns. From the street, driveway entrance to the property, you see nothing, but from across the lake it was a front row seat. He had a huge tarp designed and had it hung up to block any view to his work away from Neutra specifically. The owner thought it was ugly and ridiculous, but Lautner left it there until completion. The end. ”

One of Richard Neutra’s houses in Silver Lake

The Open House:

By the way, the open house was lovely, with sweeping views of the hills and the reservoir. The house had its own putting green off the master bedroom. The owners had a fabulous collection of vintage art mixed with mid century modern pieces. In one bedroom the paintings were original, romantic, vintage Hawaiian.

The whole house was a sophisticated and eclectic mix of colour, art, quirky historic artifacts and whimsical touches, well worth the steep hill and stair climb. If you need a real estate agent in the Los Angeles area, and want to hear some interesting stories give Gisele Plouffe a call!

If you want to see more cool Los Angeles homes join us on our Designers Collective Design Tour in 2019!

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MAK Center hosts tour of Silver Lake homes

The Kambara Residence is among the locations on the MAK Center’s tour of Silver Lake. (photo by Cameron Carothers)

The MAK Center for Art and Architecture is holding the MAK Architecture Tour Summer 2023 in Silver Lake on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

The tours will stop at multiple locations including homes by Richard Neutra, Gregory Ain and Harwell Hamilton Harris. Ain and Harris were apprentices to Neutra and R.M. Schindler, who designed Schindler House in West Hollywood.

This year’s self-guided tour highlights their contributions to Silver Lake and their mutual influences on each other’s work. Tour the Avenel Cooperatie House (Ain, 1947), Green Residence (Ain, 1952), Hawk House (Harris, 1939) and Kambara Residence (Neutra, 1960). Each home on the tour is either in or near its original state or has been carefully restored and renovated.

Tickets are $150 and proceeds go directly to the MAK Center’s programs. To register and for information, visit makcenter.org/mak-architecture-tour-summer-2023.

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Architecture Tour of Moscow's Metro and Kolomenskoye Estate (5 hours)

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• Half-day tour of Moscow’s metro stations plus Kolomenskoye Estate 
• Admire the stunning architectural interiors of one of the world’s largest rapid transit systems
• Learn about Moscow's history during Stalin's regime and the Soviet era
• Guided walking tour through the Kolomenskoye Estate includes the UNESCO World Heritage-listed sights

After meeting your guide at the hotel, head through the complex network of Moscow’s metro. Opened in 1935, the extensive system includes 185 stations that cover 190 miles (305 km) underground.

On this 2-hour metro tour, revel in Moscow's glory days, as well as the years of scarcity. Admire the impressive architecture of Moscow’s stations and learn first-hand how the unique character of each interior has changed with each new political era.

See stations like Kievskaya and Slavyansky Bulvar with their pompous halls and high stucco ceilings versus those built later, like Volzhskaya – lightly adorned with sparse furnishings. Your guide will discuss how architect Alexey Dushkin and painter Alexander Deyneka were just two of the many artists who made these magnificent landmarks possible.

With your guide, take the metro to Kolomenskoye Estate (fare included), situated in a large park just outside of Moscow’s city centre near the town of Kolomna. Here, enjoy a 3-hour walking tour.

Visit the  Front Gate Complex , located at the Tsar’s Courtyard in Kolomenskoye, built in 1673 during the reign of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich. It was the main entrance to the summer residence of the Tsar: it is through the Front Gate that distinguished guests, who arrived to Kolomenskoye by the ‘ambassadorial road’ coming from the Moskva River side, would enter the residence.

Take a ride through the magnificent park of Kolomenskoe on electric car (weather permitting), soak up the beautiful scenery and listen to your guide's stories of Russia’s fascinating royal history. See its historic and cultural sites and hear an exciting tour on your way.  This ride will permit you to travel around the XVII century Tsar’s residence in Kolomenskoye and to see the wonderful palace that used to be situated at its heart and has been lately reconstructed on a new place, near the village of Dyakovo. On your way, learn the history of architectural and natural landmarks, namely the Ascension and Dyakovsky Gardens that made part of the palace residence, the Apothecary Garden, and the XVI century churches built at the epoch of Tsar Ivan the Terrible (Church of the Ascension and Church of Beheading of St. John the Forerunner in Dyakovo).

Visit the “The Russian fairy-tale” - The Wooden Palace of Alexey Mikhailovich  built in the second half of the 17th century in Kolomenskoye, which is considered to be one of the best masterpieces of Russian wooden architecture. The wooden palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich with 270 rooms decorated with paintings and carvings was built in 1667 without using any fasten materials, nails or hooks. It consisted of 26 buildings connected with each other by passages and halls.  The whole complex was divided into male and female parts. The male part included ceremonial chambers, chambers of the Tsar and of his sons, while the female part belonged to the Tsarina and to the Tsar’s daughters. After the death of Alexei Mikhailovich the palace was rebuilt. During the XVIII century, it was gradually falling into decay despite all efforts to save it. On October 4, 1962, Catherine the Great inspected the palace and even ordered to carry out some minor restoration work. But the palace was not destined to be her Moscow residence. In 1768, Catherine ordered to demolish wooden palace which was dilapidated by then. Two centuries later, in the 1990s, authorities began its reconstruction, which was based on archaeological and historical researches. By this time the original basement of the palace was covered with a centuries-old forest. Thus the building was decided to be relocated to the far end of Kolomenskiy park. The palace was turned into the museum where currently visitors can see the everyday life of the Tsar’s family.

Listen to your guide's stories as you walk around the magnificent estate and enjoy views of the landscape below. Learn how during the reign of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov in the 17th century, Kolomenskoye became the favourite summer residence of the tsar’s family. 

10:00 - Meet your guide at the hotel

10:00 - 11:30 - Metro tour

12:00 - 14:45 - Kolomenskoe exploration

15:00 - Return to the original departure point

Sights included in program

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Silver Ring of Russia with Moscow and St Petersburg / 10D

  While the famous Golden Ring of Russia Tour takes you through cities to the north-east of Moscow that once made up the Vladimir Principality, this Silver Ring of Russia Tour will show you a region of Russia to the north-west of Russia, surrounding St Petersburg, that was once under the influence of the Novgorod Republic. On this tour to Russia, you will travel to Moscow and St Petersburg and visit two of the most ancient and beautiful cities in the country - Novgorod Veliky and Pskov.

  Pskov - this ancient city is just a little younger than Novgorod Veliky. The city is scattered with old churches and cathedrals and in the morning you can hear the bells toll.  The heart of the city is the Pskov Kremlin, which is also known as the Krom. Its centrepiece is the magnificent Trinity Cathedral which in turn is famous for its 42-metre iconostasis consisting of nine tiers. During this tour of Pskov, you will also visit the nearby settlement of Izborsk , which is famous in Russian history as the place where the Viking Truvor, the brother of the semi-legendary founder of Russia, settled.

  Novgorod Veliky - despite meaning ‘new city’ Novgorod is, in fact, one of the oldest in Russia and it was here that the history of the Russian state begins and such famous historical figures as Yaroslav the Wise and Aleksandr Nevsky were once prince here. Novgorod was once located on one of Europe’s most important trade routes and it became rich from the furs and other luxuries provided by the forests of the Russian North. The city also has the oldest cathedral in Russia - St Sophia’s Cathedral. It is also one of only a few Russian cities that survived the destruction of the Mongol-Tatar invasion. The main site here is the Kremlin, which is also known as the Detinets. It is the oldest surviving structure in this historical city.

  Of course, this trip to Russia would not be complete without visiting the two major cities of 21st century Russia: Moscow and St Petersburg . During the excursions of Moscow and St Petersburg, you will see the main sights - several of which even have a historical link with Novgorod and the Silver Ring.

1 DAY / ARRIVAL IN ST PETERSBURG

• Nevsky Prospekt – St Petersburg’s main thoroughfare.
• Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral – Russia’s equivalent of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome complete with a large colonnade.
• The Field of Mars – a memorial established after the Russian Revolution.
• Saviour on the Spilled Blood Cathedral (exterior) – a beautiful cathedral somewhat reminiscent of Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral, built on the site of the assassination of Emperor Alexander II.
• St Michael’s Castle (exterior) – a residence built for Emperor Paul, where he was subsequently assassinated.
• Anichkov Bridge – one of St Petersburg’s most beautiful bridges decorated with four statues of youths taming wild horses.
• Bronze Horseman – an equestrian statue of Peter the Great which has become a symbol of the city.
• St Isaac’s Cathedral – the largest cathedral in St Petersburg, the current version dates from 1818 and features a huge dome.
• Guided tour of the  Peter and Paul Fortress  – the original point of foundation of St Petersburg which later served as a prison for political prisoners. Its cathedral is the resting place for almost all Russian monarchs after Peter the Great. 

3 DAY / CATHERINE PALACE

4 DAY / PSKOV

Upon arrival in Pskov a transfer to the hotel. 

• Trinity Cathedral - this 17th century cathedral is the holiest place in Pskov and served as the burial vault for the city’s princes and religious leaders. The cathedral’s iconostasis is amazing in terms of its style and scale.
• Pskov Krom and Fortress Walls - the Pskov Kremlin is often called the Krom. It dates from the 11th century and, including the surrounding fortified walls, the whole complex makes up one of the largest and most formidable fortresses in Europe. Over the centuries it has been subjected to at least 26 sieges. Unlike the red brick Moscow Kremlin, the Pskov Krom is made out of white stone.
• Dovmont’s City -  this is the name given to the foundations of  buildings which arose in the 13th century just outside the Krom, when the prince of Pskov was a baptised Lithuanian prince called Daumantas - known as Dovmont in Russian. 
• Great (Velikaya) Tower - this 16th century structure is the largest in the whole kremlin with a perimeter of more than 90 metres. It is also known as the Trinity (Troitskaya) Tower.
• Pogankin Chambers - this building is a marvel of 17th century architecture and once belonged the Pskov merchant Sergey Pogankin. The enormous building consists of three parts - a three-storey structure, a two-storey one and finally a single-storey section.

5 DAY / IZBORSK AND PECHYORY MONASTERY

• Izborsk Fortress - this fortress dates from the 14th century and is considered one of the oldest in Russia. Although partly ruined, it retains its original planning, having never been reconstructed since its foundation to protect the western borders of Rus.
• Lukovka Tower - this is the oldest structure of the fortress, dating from the 13th century.
• Slovensky Springs - this group of 12 natural springs flows into Lake Gorodischenskoe. Following the Baptism of Rus, the springs were called the 12 Apostles.
• Truvor’s Gorodische - this is the name given to an ancient settlement where the original Izborsk fortifications once stood until they were rebuilt over a kilometre away in the present-day location. 

Distance: 23km

• Dormition Church - this is the main and oldest church in the monastery and dates from the 15th century. Found here is the entrance to the monastery’s cave complex which runs for almost 200 metres and has seven passages and three necropolises.
• The “Bloody Path” - this path from the Holy Gates to the cave is where, according to legend, Ivan the Terrible carried the body of the monastery’s Abbot Kornily, who was killed by the tsar in a fit of rage. 

6 DAY / PSKOV - VELIKY NOVGOROD

 Distance: 240km

7 DAY / VELIKY NOVGOROD

  City tour of Novgorod Veliky - this is undoubtedly the main city on the Silver Ring of Russia Tourist Route.

• Novgorod Kremlin - this is the oldest set of fortifications in Russia. Nine of the original 13 towers have survived to this day, as well as segments of wall. The towers protect the Lord’s Court (“Vladychny Dvor”) - the residence of the archbishops.
• St Sophia’s Cathedral - this 11th-century structure is the oldest surviving religious building in Russia. Its construction was started in 1045 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, whose son Vladimir was then the prince of Novgorod. The white stone building became the main cathedral of Rus and a symbol of Novgorod. Fragments of the original 12th and 13th-century frescos have survived.
• Vitosavitsy Open-Air Architectural Museum - this is one of the best of such museums in Russia and many old wooden buildings from all over the Novgorod Region have been transferred here for preservation. Many of them date from the 16th century and include residential buildings, churches and workshops.
• Yuriev Monastery - this monastery is located on the River Volkhov and during its glory years it was the largest in the Novgorod lands. During the Second World War it was used to hold German and Spanish prisoners of war. It is now once again a functioning monastery, although with very few monks.

Distance: 85km

8 DAY / TOUR OF MOSCOW

• Aleksandrovsky Gardens – city gardens located next to the kremlin which have several interesting statues.
• Red Square – Russia’s most famous and most beautiful square where you will find St Basil’s Cathedral.
• GUM - the Russian equivalent of Paris’s Galeries Lafayette or London’s Harrods with a Soviet atmosphere and an interesting history.
• Lenin’s Mausoleum – the resting place of the founder of the USSR.
• Bolshoi Theatre – one of the most famous theatres in the world.
• Christ the Saviour Cathedral – the main cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church.
• Lubyanka Building – once the headquarters of the KGB, now home to the FSB.
• Zaryadye Park - thanks to the creation of this wonderful new park in the very centre of Moscow, the beautiful churches of Ulitsa Varvarka are no longer hidden away and new views of the Kremlin and river have been opened up.

​ 9 DAY / TRETIAKOV GALLERY AND MOSCOW METRO

10 DAY / DEPARTURE MOSCOW

• The tour is available the whole year round starting on any day, but please take into account that the museum’s working hours and days-off vary so we reserve the right to change the itinerary while trying to save the excursion programme.
• Optional excursions should be booked before the start of the tour to schedule the itinerary.
• Transportation in Moscow, where travel by metro is designated, can be changed to a car upon request, but please note that the transport situation in Moscow is not very good, so you could get stuck in a traffic jam.
• Tickets to museums cannot be sold without an excursion with a guide.
• During state holidays and celebrations, Red Square may be closed (either partially blocked off or completely closed).
• The price of the tour may be increased during the period of the White Nights (11JUN-10JUL) and when the International Economic Forum (end of May or beggining of June) is being held in St Petersburg. Please check the price when booking.
• All excursions/guided tours included in the itinerary are private which means private guides and private transport along the programme - unless otherwise stated.
• Best time to travel on this route: from the end of April to mid-October and from December to mid-March.

•  CANCELLATION POLICY  •

Date of the tour

Number of travellers, accommodation:.

• Individual excursions according to the programme.
• Entrance tickets to the museums / skip-the-line where available
• Transfers in a private car according to the programme.
• Train tickets for high-speed trains, 2nd class.
• Accommodation in a hotel of a category of your choice, central location, standard DBL rooms with breakfast.
• Local sim card with unlimited data
• 24h emergency support during the tour
• Visa support documents

• Meals (except for breakfast where stated).
• Tips for the guides and drivers.
• Optional excursions.

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Architecture and Literature tour

The highlights of the tour are:

The house where Mikhail Bulgakov's - an author of The Master and Margareth - used to live in a communal appartment and where he placed the most nasty characters of his famous novel. The Patriarshy Pond - a location where the story of The Master and Margareth starts out.

Melnikov House - the most extraordinary avantgarde building in Moscow.

Ryabushinsky mansion , also known as Gorky's House - the Art Nouveau gem by the architect Fyodor Schechtel. Ryabushinsky - one the 10 richest families of Russia - lost their property after the revolution and their house was given to Maxim Gorky - the most revered writer of the Soviet times. Ryabushinsky Mansion is open every day except Monday and Tuesday and the last Thursday of the month. Its interiors designed by the architect himself are truly impressive.

A statue of Nikolay Gogol - the author of the most satirical Russian novel of the XIX century - "Dead Souls". The end of his life was really sad and the story of this statue is something sad and funny at the same time.

Tour duration: 3 hours Tour cost: 120  USD Additional expenses: Gorky's House - 300 RUB per person including the guide

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