Home Staging In A Los Angeles Legendary Building That Was Backdrop For Famous Scenes In Movie History!

Posted on July 26, 2011 by modernmecca

Home Staging In A Los Angeles Legendary Building That Was Backdrop For Famous Scenes In Movie History!

A couple of weeks ago we were contacted by a Los Angeles Real Estate Company that needed staging for one of the properties they were putting on the market. When we receive inquires about our services, we normally do our research about the structure and its neighborhood, and pick carefully the projects we want to be involved with. We only take on a few clients at a time to ensure we can give your project the attention it deserves.

When we learned more about the property, its significance and history, we just couldn’t say no. Althought Southern California is chock full of interesting buildings, it is not every day that we are called to stage historical structures. So when we found out we were the Los Angeles Home Staging Company chosen to stage the Lofts at the Brockman Building, we were absolutely delighted!

According to wikepedia, The Brockman Building is a 12-story Classical and Romanesque Revival building. Built in 1912, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. The building was built for John Brockman (1841-1925) and designed by George D. Barnett (1863-c. 1925) of Barnett, Haynes & Barnett. The Brockman Building was the first building west of the Broadway Commercial District to reach the city’s 150-foot height limit. The Los Angeles Conservancy, which we are proud members of, holds a conservation easement of the Brockman Building and Annex, a legal document that permanently prohibits the demolition or insensitive alteration of a property — even by future owners.

In the classic 1923 film, “Safety Last”, there is a scene where Harold Lloyd hung from a huge clock , dangling high above the city. That scene was filmed at the Brockman Building, located in downtown Los Angeles, in the 530 W. 7th Street, between Grand Avenue and Olive Street (a block south of the Biltmore Hotel). The 1912 building fell into a sad state of disrepair and sat vacant for decades, but in 2004 it was purchased and has now been rehabilitated into beautiful, upscale lofts. My Grandpa owned a couple of Silent Movie Theaters back in the day and loved these films. I hope wherever he is, that he is looking down and is proud of me.

We feel privileged to have been chosen to do our thing at the Brockman — A Los Angeles Legendary Building That Was Backdrop For One Of The Most Famous Scenes In Movie History!

Here is the video of “Safety Last” — I hope you enjoy watching this clip as much as I did!

Staging Architectural Homes in Los Angeles, Orange County and Palm Springs

Posted on May 18, 2011 by modernmecca

It’s no secret that I am a huge Architectural buff, but that alone does not necessarily qualify a person to stage Architectural structures.

The Elvis Honeymoon Hideway or House of Tomorrow, designed by William Krisel, 1962

So what qualifies my company, Modern Mecca and I to stage architectural properties besides the piles and piles of books, years of research, and my true love for everything architectural especially of the mid century modern kind? I think the experiences I’ve had, places I’ve been and people I’ve met must count for something. Here’s a partial List of Architectural Experiences/Tours/Courses/Lectures I’ve Taken:

• Class with Legendary Modernist Architect Oscar Niemeyer – Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2001)
• Tour of Casa de Canoas designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1951, built in 1953, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2001)
• Tour of Ministry of Education and Health designed in 1942 by Le Corbusier, Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2001)
• Tour of The Niterói Contemporary Art Museum designed in 1996 by Oscar Niemeyer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2001)
• Tour of the structures of the Pampulha Project designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1943, including the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi and other buildings at Pampulha in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil (2001)
• Visit and Tour of The Eames House, Case Study House #8 – A Landmark of mid-20th Century Modern Architecture designed in 1949 by Charles and Ray Eames in Pacific Palisades, California (2005)
• Forever Fullerton: Julius Shulman Exhibition and Lecture with Author Michael Stern and Architectural Historian Alan Hess, Fullerton, California (2009)
• Tour of Jones and Emmons Forever Houses, Fullerton, California (2009)
• Tour of Cliff May Homes, in Long Beach, California (2009)
• CA Boom Design Show – A multi-discipline non-traditional design trade fair exhibition combining the highest caliber of architects, designers and design manufacturers on the West Coast, Beverly Hills, California (2009)
• Tour of The Henbest Residence, Pierre Koenig 1966 in Palos Verdes, California (2009)
• Tour of Wayfarers Chapel, also known as “The Glass Church” located in Palos Verdes, California designed by Lloyd Wright in the late 1940s, built between 1949 and 1951 (2009)
• Visit to Lloyd Wright’s 1963 “Bird of Paradise” House in Palos Verdes, California (2009)
• Tour of Fairhaven, Fairmeadows and Fairhills Eichler Tracts in Orange County, California (2009)
• Visit to Orange County Courthouse designed by Richard Neutra, Santa Ana, California (2009)
• Visit to Mariners Medical Arts Building designed by Richard Neutra, Newport Beach, California (2009)
• Lost Saved and Endangered: Modernist Architecture in Palm Springs Lecture with Gary Johns (2010)
• The Eichlers of Orange County Lecture by Architectural Historian Alan Hess, in Orange, California (2010)
• Lecture by Bill Butler on Albert Frey, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Lecture by Architectural Historian Patrick McGrew on Albert Frey, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Visit to The Kaufmann House deigned by Richard Neutra in 1946, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Visit to The Elvis Honeymoon Hideway or House of Tomorrow, designed by Architect William Krisel, 1962 in Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Tour of Steel Homes by Architect Donald Wexler, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Tour of Albert Frey – Frey House II, with Architectural Historian Patrick McGrew, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Tour of Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms House designed by Architect E. Stweart Williams, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Tour of Dinah Shore Residence designed by Architect Donald Wexler, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Tour of Composer Frederick Loewe’s glass-encased Modernist Home located in Little Tuscany neighborhood, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Tour of Actor William Holden’s Estate, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Tour of Seven Lakes Country Club, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Visit and Tour of the Del Marcos Hotel designed in 1947 by the famed desert Architect William F. Cody, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Tour of Actress Elisabeth Taylor’s Estate, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Desert Utopia: Mid Century Architecture in Palm Springs Film and Lecture with Architectural Historian Alan Hess and Director Jake Gorst, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• William Krisel, Architect Film and Lecture with Architect William Krisel, Architectural Historian Alan Hess and Director Jake Gorst, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Journeyman Architect: The Life and Work of Donald Wexler with Architect Donald Wexler, Architectural Historian Alan Hess and Director Jake Gorst, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Infinite Space: The Architecture of John Lautner Film and Lecture (2010)
• Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman Film and Q&A with Architect Stephen Ehrlich and Director Erik Bricker, Los Angeles, California (2010)
• Dwell on Design, Los Angeles, California (2010)
• Visit to Lloyd Wright’s 1959 Moore House in Palos Verdes Estates, California (2010)
• Tour of Pierre Koenig’s Case Study House #21 Bailey House designed in 1959, Los Angeles, California (2010)
• Tour of Gregory Ain Park Planned Homes, Altadena, California (2010)
• Tour of Edward Killingsworth’s 1957 Opdahl Residence in Long Beach, California (2010)
• Tour of Edward Killingsworth’s Case Study House #25, “The Frank House,” designed in 1962 in Naples, California. (2010)
• Tour of Hafley Residence, 1953 by Architect Richard Neutra in Long Beach, California (2010)
• Tour of The Mitchell Residence, 1959 by Calvin Straub F. A. I. A. in Rolling Hills, California (2010)
• The Amazing Neutras of Orange County Exhibit and Lecture with Architectural Historian Alan Hess and Architect Dion Neutra, in Santa Ana, California (2010)
• Tour of Royal Hawaiian Estates designed by the firm of Wexler and Harrison in 1961, Palm Springs, California (2010)
• Architecture and Design Council Symposium: Donald Wexler and his Legacy, Palm Springs, California (2011)
• Mid Century Power Panel with Architects Donald Wexler and Bill Krisel, Julius Shulman’s daughter Judith Shulman, Helena Arahuete, Architectural Historian Alan Hess and Author Michael Stern, Palm Springs, California (2011)
• PS Modernists: Insider Stories with Nel Ivancich, Matthew Sumich, Leland Lee and Jean Farrar, Palm Springs, California (2011)
• Lecture with Gerard O’Brien: Perspectives on Mid Century California Design, Palm Springs, California (2011)
• Oscar Niemeyer: A Vida é um Sopro Film and Lecture with Architectural Historian Alan Hess, Palm Springs, California (2011)
• Volunteer Docent during Modernism Week, Palm Springs, California (2011)
• Tour of Alexander Homes designed by Palmer & Krisel between 1947 and 1965, Palm Springs, California (2011)
• Visit to El Rancho Vista Estates designed by Architects Donald Wexler and Ric Harrison, built between 1959 and 1960, Palm Springs, California (2011)
• Tour of E. Stewart Williams-designed Home, Palm Springs, California (2011)
• Tour of The Hideaway, built by Herb Burns, Palm Springs, California (2011)
• Tour of A. Quincy Jones-designed Hamma Residence – A Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 797, Los Angeles, California (2011)
• Neutra 85th Anniversary Celebration Weekend – Tour of 10 Structures Including the Lovell Health House 1927-29 on the list of Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles, California (2011)
• Julius Shulman: Desert Modern Exhibit curated by Michael Stern at Fullerton Museum Center, Fullerton, California (2011)
• Tour of several Mid Century Modern homes built by the Alexander Construction Company, and designed by Palmer & Krisel Architects. Palm Springs, California (2011)
• Tour of El Rancho Vista Estates, a Community of uniquely distinctive mid century modern homes designed by the firm of Donald Wexler and Ric Harrison in the early 1960′s. Palm Springs, California (2011)

To be continued…

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Have Modern?

Will Travel!

If you or anyone you know need help showcasing your Modern or Mid Century Modern architectural listings, reaching your target market and gaining exposure to a community of modern aficionados and qualified, sensitive buyers, please contact us at 310 . 245 . 6097.

Modern Mecca Rockin’ Dwell On Design 2011!

Posted on April 30, 2011 by modernmecca

Thats right friends, we are now booking for our second installment of Dwell on Design June 24-26! If you are not aware of what Dwell on Design is, it is a huge modern design fest in the Los Angeles Area. Last year’s Dwell on Design was amazing, and this year’s promises to be even bigger and better and will blow everyone out of the water!

The Modern Mecca Team participation in the Dwell On Design 2011 will be focused on networking with the public in general, exhibitors, architects and other design professionals, as well as building brand awareness. We expect that through our participation, lending support to the causes we believe in, and structuring important parternships will help us advance and fortify our business model and unique Los Angeles Home Staging brand.

Last year we were contacted by several companies who were exhibiting at show. They were interested in having us provide modern furnishings and inquiring on staging design and installation as well as the complete interior styling of their booths. Some mentioned that our furniture collection would complement their products quite nicely. We are already getting pumped for this year’s Dwell On Design and are actively booking for the show. If your company is exhibiting and you are interested, please get in touch with us. Your participation at the early stages of the planning process will be very helpful in allowing us to help you showcase a knock-your-socks-off booth that is geared towards your target audience.

It is our hope that by participating on Dwell On Design 2011, the connections we’ll be able to make and the information we will gather about new companies, products, new design trends and ideas, will ultimately benefit not only our brand but our Los Angeles Home Staging clients.

To submit your booking request, please call us at 310 . 245 . 6097. You can also email us at info@ModernMecca.com.

Below are some of the photos of last year’s Dwell on Design – I hope you enjoy : )

Thank you much modern design party animals and we hope to hear from you!

~claudiax

Entrance to Dwell On Design at The Convention Center in Los Angeles

Bocabolo furniture offers clean contemporary European lines with mid-range pricing. Comfortable and sculptural.

We loved this bench.

Modernica's booth was beautiful as usual.

Almost a year later, and we're still swooning over these coconut chairs.

And drooling over all the Architectural Pottery we saw at the exhibit...

More Architectural Pottery to feast the eyes.

We also loved the simplicity of this bed - Perfect for the modern homes of our Los Angeles Home Staging clients.

Attention WalMart Shoppers – This Staging is Too Nice!

Posted on March 8, 2011 by modernmecca

Today I got a phone call from a prospective client who was looking to have a property staged and wanted to know if I serviced San Diego. I had just stepped out of my office and the call went straight to my voice mail. Upon returning to my desk, I called the number, introduced myself and mentioned that I was returning the call regarding the staging of the home. Before I even had a chance to explain my services and how I work, the prospective client proceeded to tell me that she no longer needed me to go look at and bid on the property (even though I mentioned that we do service San Diego!), because she had just checked my website and she thought my Staging was too nice!

Modern Mecca Home Staging & Design

Yep. Too nice!

Really?

I have lost jobs because I wasn’t able to return the call fast enough (My bad!), or people thought I was too expensive (Not true!), or the Seller/Realtor® was price shopping and decided to go with a cheaper Stager and then, later regretted (Their fault!), but because my Staging is too nice?

Que?

NEVER!

One would THINK that in this day and age, when home shoppers are increasingly fussy and demanding great-looking, move-in ready homes and when properties that are not properly staged are lingering on the market for months on end, that a smart seller would want to hire the Stager with:

1 – A strong portfolio and nicest staging

2 – Experience

3 – The best value

Maybe this client came to my website expecting to see undesirable homes and horrible Staging – But wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of Staging a property for sale?

Have Modern?

Will Travel!

Oscar Niemeyer’s Rock

Posted on March 8, 2011 by modernmecca

While doing research today, I came across this photo of Oscar Niemeyer sitting on the beautiful, massive boulder inside the famous Casa de Canoas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

I have an almost identical photo of Mr. Mecca sitting on the same rock which I took years ago when we travelled to Rio for a magazine assignment.

Mr. Mecca sitting on the boulder inside the famous Casa de Canoas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Love Niemeyer’s Casa de Canoas.

Love the rock.

Love both men.

Have Modern?

Will Travel!

Palm Springs is Gearing Up for a Celebration of All Things Modern!

Posted on February 15, 2011 by modernmecca

The sixth annual Modernism Week gets under way this week in Palm Springs and runs from Thursday, Feb. 17th through Sunday, Feb. 27th.

What exactly is Modernism Week, you ask? Modernism Week, the only such event in the country, is no longer just a week but an exciting and fun-filled 10-day celebration of mid century modern architecture, design, lifestyle and culture. The event is sponsored by a group of organizations dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of the modern architecture in Palm Springs. Celebrating the mavericks that have left us an architectural legacy that remains unsurpassed for its beauty, international influence and originality.

This year promises to be even bigger and better with more than 75 events planned and include:

NEW: A festive kick-off Celebration, Downtown Palm Springs on Thursday, February 17
NEW: A West Coast Premiere Exhibition of amazing vintage Braniff Airlines uniforms by Fashion Designers Pucci and Halston
NEW: A Design Lecture Series featuring fashion designer Trina Turk, Mayer Rus and other nationally acclaimed designers and tastemakers
NEW: An interior design tour of several fabulous homes
NEW: 2 days of lectures and panel discussions on Modernism Preservation in Chicago, Miami, Australia and Cuba by noted speakers

Other events back by popular demand:

• The Architecture and Design Film Series including films about our dear friends, architects Donald Wexler and Oscar Niemeyer — Two icons of Modernism who inspire our work
• A home tour of Palm Springs’ Most Glamorous Celebrity Homes
• A day-long Palm Springs Art Museum architecture symposium focusing on modernist architect Donald Wexler
• The 11th Annual Palm Springs Modernism Show which is now expanded to 4 Days (February 18-21)
• The popular double decker bus tours of mid-century architecture will be available every day during Modernism Week
• Charles Phoenix, master of nostalgic “histotainment”
• The Vintage Airstream Travel Trailer exhibit will be expanded and have a festival atmosphere with food and vendor booths

Below are some of the structures we toured last year and will be visiting again this year:

Frank Sinatra House designed by E. Stewart Williams in 1947

Dinah Shore Estate designed by Legendary Mid Century Modern Architect Donald Wexler, 1963

The Del Marcos Hotel, designed by William Cody in 1947

The House of Tomorrow, also known as The Elvis Honeymoon Hideway designed by William Krisel, 1962

We also had the immense pleasure of visiting and touring Albert Frey's Frey House II (1963-64) - A Palm Springs Architectural Landmark. That's me being silly (vacations are good for that sort of thing).

Of course we wouldn’t miss this incredible opportunity to network, learn and grow while celebrating modernism, and are packing our bags and heading to the Desert Oasis for 10 days of fun in the sun! We will be participating in several of the festivities and docenting during the Mid Century Modern Power Panel and several other events throughout the week including the Celebrity Home Tour and the Interior Design Home Tour. Architectural masterpieces by E. Stewart Williams, Donald Wexler, Palmer and Krisel and Charles Dubois are featured.

To arrange a private meeting with Modern Mecca during Modernism Week and to learn how we can help you prepare your Modern or Mid Century Modern listings for market, please contact us at 310 . 245 . 6097 or go to our Los Angeles Home Staging website for further information. We hope to see you there!

All Photos Copyright of Modern Mecca – Please do not use without permission.

Have Modern?

Will Travel!

Los Angeles Home Staging a Mid Century Modern Home Results in an ALL CASH Offer in Just 13 days!

Posted on July 18, 2010 by modernmecca

The Modern Mecca Team is pleased to have been the Los Angeles Home Staging Company of choice and a savvy investor’s most important selling tool for this Mid Century Modern Home designed by celebrated Los Angeles Architect, Gregory Ain.

Located in Altadena, California, and designated as a Heritage Area, Gregory Ain’s Park Planned Community is one block of modernist homes and one of the first modern housing developments in the Los Angeles County. This particular property was thoughtfully restored in 2010 with Ain’s original ideas and updated with modern materials for a perfect blend of Mid Century Modern in today’s world. It features a new kitchen with quartz countertops and solid wood cabinets, new roof, paint, light fixtures, hardware and landscaping. A dropped clerestory runs three quarters the length of the house, bringing enough cross light and air to all the rooms. Paired garages in each lot along the street, provide privacy for each house as well as form the central service area and children’s play yard. For Gregory Ain, privacy from each neighbor was the overriding rule when building these homes.

The concrete floors, original to the house, have also been recently restored and looked absolutely fantastic with their added patina. I intentionally chose not to cover the floors with rugs of any kind for two reasons. First, as it is almost always the case with an older home that has been recently renovated, I didn’t want anyone thinking we were hiding anything underneath the floor coverings and didn’t want to give potential buyers any reason to back out of a deal and secondly, by not using rugs, the living/dining/kitchen area opened up considerably and it helped to visually expand the floor plan making the home feel a lot larger in spite of its modest 1400 sq feet. I wanted to bring a sense of expansive open space combined with the simplicity and ease of materials – a happy testament to a progressive Architect.

Although the investor’s staging budget was very limited, I was excited to work on this project and was able to address the key areas of the property by defining the spaces with authentic Mid Century furnishings, accessories and art work appropriate for the style of the home and in keeping with the Architect’s original concepts and ideas.

This home was one of my favorite staging projects by far. The Architect is one of my heroes, the seller was a joy to work with and the furnishings, all designed during the 50′s period, really reflected the Mid Century Modern aesthetic and lifestyle that the target market for these homes is looking for. I didn’t go overboard and did a well-edited, well-curated design. I added just enough warmth and color to create the atmosphere to attract the right sensitive buyers – Less is definitely more when staging a modern home.

The investor’s excellent craftsmanship combined with Modern Mecca‘s effective and attractive staging and architectural expertise turned out to be a winning combination! After the home was staged, home shoppers poured in to view the property and an ALL CASH offer was accepted just 13 days later!

Mid Century Modern Gregory Ain Park Planned Home - Before Staging by Modern Mecca

Mid Century Modern Gregory Ain Park Planned Home - After Staging by Modern Mecca

To see additional photos of this Mid Century Modern Gregory Ain Park Planned Home, please check our portfolio.

If you are selling your Mid Century Modern home, wouldn’t you want to hire the company that specializes in this aesthetic and is knowledgeable about each and every Modernist Architect that worked in Southern California? To ensure your home gets noticed and for tightly focused, undiluted information on how best to prepare your listings as ART, consider working with Modern Mecca, the authority in everything Modern and Mid Century Modern.

If you would like Claudia’s team to provide information on staging a property in Orange County, Sand Diego County, Riverside, including Palm Springs, or the Greater Los Angeles Area, please visit www.ModernMecca.com, email claudia@ModernMecca.com or call 310.245.6097.

All photos taken and copyrighted by MODERN MECCA. Please do not use without permission.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Claudia Andrade-Desbiens | Modern Mecca
Founder and Principal Designer, ModernMecca.com
310.245.6097
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Modern Mecca is a Dynamic Staging + Design Studio focusing on Modern and Mid Century Modern aesthetics and unique architectural Real Estate. We are dedicated to help you market these homes so they get the attention and the appropriate sensitive buyers they deserve. In the process, we seek to protect Southern California’s unique modern architecture and historic character. For information on how we can help you with our Los Angeles Home Staging services, please write us at info@ModernMecca.com.

Modern Mecca is available for articles, book research, film, TV, documentaries, speaking engagements and presentations on a variety of topics involving Modern and Mid Century Modern Architecture, Staging and Design. Please contact us at press@ModernMecca.com

California Cool: Modernism Reinvented

Posted on June 8, 2010 by modernmecca

California, a magnet for the creative, risk-taking and nonconformist, has always been a place where you could experiment and long been at the leading edge of modern architecture.

From the very beginning of the California modern movement with New York architect Irving Gill moving to San Diego and starting his own architectural practice there, to Schindler and Neutra, the first European architects to come to America in the 20s and to settle in Los Angeles, to the 1950s and 1960s icons such as John Lautner and the pioneers of the post-war Case Study houses – California has since developed its own style of domestic modernism and this aesthetic is perhaps the most innovative and progressive in the world.

This film by Eric Sahlin, featuring some of today’s foremost architects, examines modern architecture in California and what it means to be a modernist – So you know what caught my eye here. The film is a companion to “California Cool: Modernism Reinvented”, a new book by award winning photographer Russell Abraham to be released in september that includes much of these architects’ views as well as their works.

California Cool

Dig in and feast on the architectural superabundance which is California modernism.

Thoroughly Modern: Wexler Weekend In Palm Springs

Posted on February 12, 2010 by modernmecca

I am seriously, falling head over heels in love with Palm Springs and anything and everything is an excuse for me to drop whatever I am doing, get into my car, and make the 1.5 hour drive east to this desert oasis. Two weekends ago, Los Angeles Home Staging + Design Company, Modern Mecca had the opportunity to participate in an event celebrating the 84th birthday of renowned modernist architect, Donald Wexler.

The celebration kicked-off on Friday, January 22nd with the screening of the film ‘Journeyman Architect: The Life and Work of Donald Wexler,’ by Jake Gorst at the Camelot Theater. On Saturday, the 23rd a yummy jazz brunch was served, followed by a tour of Wexler-designed properties ranging from tract homes in El Rancho Vista Estates, to custom residences of celebrity homes such as Dinah Shore’s, and Wexler’s own Palm Springs home. An evening cocktail fundraiser was held at the Leff/Florsheim House (1957) – an event that also featured a silent auction of stunning photographs by Julius Shulman and Juergen Nogai.

Wexler Weekend continued on Sunday, the 24th, with ‘Steel Some Time’, a home tour at the Wexler Steel Development Houses in the Racquet Club Estates neighborhood. Donald Wexler and his partner Ric Harrison master-planned a neighborhood of 38 such homes, but only seven were built. Most have been restored and are a must-see for devotees of Palm Springs modernist architecture. Three Steel Homes were open to the public and available for viewing. Members and volunteers of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (organizer of the event) were on site making sure everyone enjoyed the tour and had a good time.

The highlight of the trip, was not only being able to tour several of the mid century modern homes which are usually not open to the general public, but meeting the Architect, Donald Wexler that designed them – truly an honor and a pleasure.

A combination of snow-capped mountain views, glorious weather and wonderful conversations made me realize that I could definitely get used to this laid-back lifestyle. Mimosas and hors d’oeuvres were served by the sparkling pool. I was delighted. For the architecture-obsessed and mid century modernista that I am, the fun and stylish Wexler Weekend couldn’t have been better.

Special thanks to our friends Richard Kip Serafin (Member of The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation) and Brian Wexler (Donald Wexler’s son) for welcoming us so graciously to Palm Springs and the Steel Homes. The Modern Mecca Team feels a little like part of this incredible Mid Century Modern family already.

(Photo: Modern Mecca, January 2010)

Renowned modernist architect Donald Wexler (center), surrounded by friends and members of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation

(Photo: Modern Mecca, January 2010)

Donald Wexler, enjoys the celebration with family and friends at the 'Steel Some Time' event

(Photo: Modern Mecca, January 2010)

Nothing says “Welcome to Palm Springs” more than a Steel Home

(Photo: Modern Mecca, January 2010)

Palm Springs, California

Tall, and gorgeous and lovely palm trees welcome visitors to Palm Springs, the desert oasis…

All photos taken and copyrighted by MODERN MECCA. Please do not use without permission.

Green Building Takes Center Stage in Echo Park

Posted on January 16, 2010 by modernmecca

An architectural client contacted us recently and asked us to view his latest project — a beautiful, new contemporary building in the heart of Echo Park, and provide a proposal for staging it. Because his homes are known for their green design and sustainable materials, I couldn’t wait to see it. As an architectural stager, I really appreciate when I get to tour exciting projects, especially those properties with a high-level of design integrity.

The firm’s previous development project, also in Echo Park, won a prestigious AIA design award and was lauded for creating expressive form from an impressive economy of means. The project was featured in the New York Times, LA Architect, and Modern Shoestring, a book of 18 architectural homes with tight budgets that also included Silver Lake architect, Barbara Bestor.

Knowing that the buyer demographics is dictated not only by price but by the location, building type, size and layout, we knew right then and there that the target audience for this project in up-and-coming Echo Park was going to be a single, creative professional or a young couple without children. We set up our staging plan to target this audience.

Utilizing our knowledge of ‘experiential marketing’, various staging techniques that maximize space, improve flow and make the most out of the space, and the careful, thoughtful use of clean-lined furnishings appropriate to the modernist architecture of the building, we transformed this unit into a fashionable and warm space with an urban edge.

For exclusive photos of Sunset Five, please visit MODERN MECCA.

All photos taken and copyrighted by MODERN MECCA. Please do not use without permission.

Bad Behavior has blocked 26 access attempts in the last 7 days.

MODERN MECCA | Modern & Mid Century Modern Staging + Design

Rockin' SoCal, one modern home at a time…

Home Staging In A Los Angeles Legendary Building That Was Backdrop For Famous Scenes In Movie History!

Staging Architectural Homes in Los Angeles, Orange County and Palm Springs

Modern Mecca Rockin’ Dwell On Design 2011!

Attention WalMart Shoppers – This Staging is Too Nice!

Oscar Niemeyer’s Rock

Palm Springs is Gearing Up for a Celebration of All Things Modern!

Los Angeles Home Staging a Mid Century Modern Home Results in an ALL CASH Offer in Just 13 days!

California Cool: Modernism Reinvented

Thoroughly Modern: Wexler Weekend In Palm Springs

Green Building Takes Center Stage in Echo Park