My day on the dwell open house tour

This October, I joined the Dwell Open House tour in East Los Angeles — a day steeped in architecture, light, and landscape.

The journey began at the iconic Hollyhock House, Frank Lloyd Wright’s first Los Angeles commission and the city’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, completed in 1921. From there, I explored two additional homes where nature, native plants, and natural materials wove seamlessly through each space: Descanso House -Silver Lake and Lark House – Mount Washington . I loved seeing the dialogue between the physical structure of the houses and their surrounding environment. You could see how design can both frame and blend in to its surroundings.

 

Hollyhock House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

The Descanso House resonated personally because of my own love of Scandinavian and Danish mid-century modern design. The architect, Richard Stampton, who trained in Denmark, brought a quiet restraint and warmth to the space – from the Douglas oak flooring to the sculptural Danish lighting and furniture (spot the Louis Poulsen). There was a sense of harmony and craftsmanship that felt familiar and inspiring to me as an Interior Designer & Stylist, a definite favorite stop on the tour!

The study of the Descanso House
Descanso House kitchen with Louis Poulsen's PH Pendant Lamp
Details of the Descanso House
The Lark House living room was a peaceful haven surrounded by nature
View through the window at Lark House - an LA scene!

Lark House in the quiet suburb of Mount Washington was a modest 1955 designed cabin that has been extended to suit the needs of the new residents – complete with a pool, and succulent garden. I love the exposed wood beams and sensitively restored materials throughout the home. The stone fireplace was restored with stones found in the surrounding building site.

After days like these I always feel so inspired by the Los Angeles architectural landscape, reminding me that Modernism is still alive and well with Mid-Century icons never far away!