A Camera-Ready Remodel in Los Angeles Asks $789K
Designed by architect John Lawrence Pugsley, best known for his midcentury commissions in nearby Pasadena, 3877 Latrobe Street was built in 1964 as part of The Cliffs, a modernist development in Montecito Heights, Los Angeles.
Tucked into the hillside and surrounded by greenery, the 1,426-square-foot residence features three bedrooms and two bathrooms in an open floor plan; multiple skylights and well-placed windows bathe the interior with natural light, and balconies on both levels form an outdoor connection.
Set on a hillside and surrounded by greenery, 3877 Latrobe Street was built in 1964 as part of The Cliffs, a modernist development in the Montecito Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.
It wasn’t, however, always like this. "The house, when we bought it, was so dark and gloomy," say current homeowners Jeffrey Kleeger, an architectural designer, and Elisa Read, a landscape designer and horticulture specialist. They took on several phases of renovation starting in 2008, when the home received a new roof and skylights. They also opened up the kitchen to create an open-plan great room.
After the windows were updated in 2010, the recession stalled further renovation. Then, in 2011, the couple and the house were chosen to appear on an episode of HGTV’s Room Crashers, allowing them to finally "complete their dream" with architect Don Dimster.
A skylight over the entrance sets the tone for a breezy interior.
The open floor plan benefits from lots of natural light thanks to multiple skylights, windows, and sliding glass doors that lead to a balcony.
The home is full of bespoke touches—including the bright, whimsical mural called Cachickens adorning the interior stairwell, done by the Guatemalan muralist Caché. The couple became friends with Caché when they saw him cleaning up one of his murals along Sunset Boulevard; after they bought the home in 2008, they commissioned the mural.
The ceiling is white, primed MDF board from Home Depot that was took a "long, three-day effort" to install.
While the kitchen was opened up with the first renovation in 2008, the finishing touches weren't added until the 2011 renovation that appeared on HGTV.
The wood countertop on the kitchen island is a solid butcher block from IKEA.
The kitchen was updated with quartz countertops and stainless-steel appliances.
There is a cozy dining nook at the edge of the kitchen, just off the balcony.
The balcony features treetop views and a connection to the outdoors.
The fireplace is original to the home. "We always wanted to paint it black, since it reminded me of Darth Vader," says Jeffrey.
A full-height mural entitled Cachickens by Guatemalan muralist Caché adorns the interior stairwell.
The master bedroom features sliding glass doors which lead to a second balcony.
The spacious closet of the master bedroom can also serve as an office space.
There is no master bath, but this hall bathroom is accessible to all the bedrooms. "The concept of a true, separate master bath wasn't invented until at least 1965," says the seller. The vintage tiles are original to the home.
The second bedroom also opens to the balcony.
The third bedroom conveniently features built-in bookshelves.
There is a large, low-maintenance Mangaris Diamond hardwood deck in the side yard.
The yard is professionally landscaped with native and drought-tolerant plants. The property boasts mature ash, camphor, and laurel fig trees. There are also peach, apple, cherry, orange, and lemon trees.
3877 Latrobe Street, Los Angeles is currently on the market for $789,000, listed by Carrie Bryden of Deasy Penner Podley.
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