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Perched below the Griffith Observatory and overlooking Hollywood is a lush lot crowned with four towering olive trees and a 1965 home designed by modernist architect Craig Ellwood. When a young couple purchased the home in 2018, it needed substantial work. For a historic restoration, they called on Woods + Dangaran, a local firm fluent in modernist history. The team completed a meticulous restoration of the home while keeping original components like the linear shape, open plan, and expansive windows. One of the most striking features is the original koi pond (a feature deemed so essential that its preservation was a condition of escrow) that is now crossed via a bridge that leads to a new lap pool—perhaps the biggest intervention on the property.
Perched below the Griffith Observatory and overlooking Hollywood is a lush lot crowned with four towering olive trees and a 1965 home designed by modernist architect Craig Ellwood. When a young couple purchased the home in 2018, it needed substantial work. For a historic restoration, they called on Woods + Dangaran, a local firm fluent in modernist history. The team completed a meticulous restoration of the home while keeping original components like the linear shape, open plan, and expansive windows. One of the most striking features is the original koi pond (a feature deemed so essential that its preservation was a condition of escrow) that is now crossed via a bridge that leads to a new lap pool—perhaps the biggest intervention on the property.
Eames House of Cards, $15-$50
Eames House of Cards, $15-$50
The bird makes an appearance in the Eames living room.
The bird makes an appearance in the Eames living room.
In 1977, favorite California's midcentury modern pioneers Charles and Ray Eames exhibited a selection of their bent plywood pieces at Washington University, including the leg splints they produced as part of the war effort in 1942, shown here hanging on the wall. Charles also studied architecture at Washington University, briefly, on scholarship for two years. Credit: Charles Eames Archive, University Archives, Department of Special Collections, Washington University Libraries
In 1977, favorite California's midcentury modern pioneers Charles and Ray Eames exhibited a selection of their bent plywood pieces at Washington University, including the leg splints they produced as part of the war effort in 1942, shown here hanging on the wall. Charles also studied architecture at Washington University, briefly, on scholarship for two years. Credit: Charles Eames Archive, University Archives, Department of Special Collections, Washington University Libraries
Charles and Ray on the steel frames of their home while it was under construction in 1949.
Charles and Ray on the steel frames of their home while it was under construction in 1949.
The Eames house living room as it is best known, shot in 1994. The light from the window illuminates the tumbleweed the couple picked up on their honeymoon drive from Chicago to Los Angeles; due to its fragility it was the only item not to have been moved to the LACMA exhibition. Photo courtesy Tim Street-Porter.
The Eames house living room as it is best known, shot in 1994. The light from the window illuminates the tumbleweed the couple picked up on their honeymoon drive from Chicago to Los Angeles; due to its fragility it was the only item not to have been moved to the LACMA exhibition. Photo courtesy Tim Street-Porter.
Here are a quartet of our favorite Eames films—three made by Charles and Ray and one more of them introducing their legendary lounge chair on NBC. You know the designers, now get a taste for the filmmakers.
Here are a quartet of our favorite Eames films—three made by Charles and Ray and one more of them introducing their legendary lounge chair on NBC. You know the designers, now get a taste for the filmmakers.
Ray Eames, House of Cards (with Charles Eames), 1952.
Ray Eames, House of Cards (with Charles Eames), 1952.
Swiss architect Peter Zumthor— himself considered a bit of a enigma in a world that lauds celebrity designers—built the tiny Bruder Klaus Field Chapel in western Germany in 2007. The structure was created by arranging 112 spruce trees, pouring concrete on top until it set, then burning the wood, leaving a charred interior cavity.
Swiss architect Peter Zumthor— himself considered a bit of a enigma in a world that lauds celebrity designers—built the tiny Bruder Klaus Field Chapel in western Germany in 2007. The structure was created by arranging 112 spruce trees, pouring concrete on top until it set, then burning the wood, leaving a charred interior cavity.
Kolumba, Peter Zumthor, 2007, silver gelatin print.
Kolumba, Peter Zumthor, 2007, silver gelatin print.
Bet you didn't know that Pritzker-Prize winning architect Peter Zumthor studied at Pratt as an exchange student in 1966! Pictured here is one of the architect's most celebrated works, the spa at Therme Vals in Switzerland.
Bet you didn't know that Pritzker-Prize winning architect Peter Zumthor studied at Pratt as an exchange student in 1966! Pictured here is one of the architect's most celebrated works, the spa at Therme Vals in Switzerland.
Built between 1947 and 1950, the Shulman house was the result of a collaboration between the photographer and architect Raphael Soriano, and served as Shulman’s home for more than half his life. Perched on a hill in Laurel Canyon on Woodrow Wilson Drive, the house was designated a Los Angeles Cultural Heritage monument in 1987. The one-story, exposed-steel-frame structure is defined by its central “spine” and surrounded by gardens that Shulman left in a somewhat wild state.
Built between 1947 and 1950, the Shulman house was the result of a collaboration between the photographer and architect Raphael Soriano, and served as Shulman’s home for more than half his life. Perched on a hill in Laurel Canyon on Woodrow Wilson Drive, the house was designated a Los Angeles Cultural Heritage monument in 1987. The one-story, exposed-steel-frame structure is defined by its central “spine” and surrounded by gardens that Shulman left in a somewhat wild state.
When Dwell visited Shulman two years before his death, he was satisfied with the career he had built, and still actively giving lectures, photographing houses, and talking to journalists. "I'm always identified as being the best architectural photographer in the world," Shulman declared. "I disclaim that. I say, 'One of the best."
When Dwell visited Shulman two years before his death, he was satisfied with the career he had built, and still actively giving lectures, photographing houses, and talking to journalists. "I'm always identified as being the best architectural photographer in the world," Shulman declared. "I disclaim that. I say, 'One of the best."
Julius Shulman: Case Study House #22 (1960)
Julius Shulman: Case Study House #22 (1960)
Having fallen into great disrepair and almost subjected to the wrecking ball until Shulman’s original photographs were found on the property and used for a historically accurate renovation, Carl Louis Maston’s 1962 Hillside House still survives. The home is surrounded by earth and set into a 45-degree slope. The sundeck above the driveway shields the master bedroom from the street. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Used with permission. Julius Shulman Photography Archive, Research Library at the Getty Research Institute (2004.R.10)
Having fallen into great disrepair and almost subjected to the wrecking ball until Shulman’s original photographs were found on the property and used for a historically accurate renovation, Carl Louis Maston’s 1962 Hillside House still survives. The home is surrounded by earth and set into a 45-degree slope. The sundeck above the driveway shields the master bedroom from the street. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Used with permission. Julius Shulman Photography Archive, Research Library at the Getty Research Institute (2004.R.10)
Hût Architecture remade this 4,500-square-foot mid-century bungalow, nicknamed Starvecrow Cottage, by retaining the footprint of the existing house while adding floor-to-ceiling windows to the rear and various skylights brings the outstanding landscape closer and fills the home with light.
Hût Architecture remade this 4,500-square-foot mid-century bungalow, nicknamed Starvecrow Cottage, by retaining the footprint of the existing house while adding floor-to-ceiling windows to the rear and various skylights brings the outstanding landscape closer and fills the home with light.
Home Show House by William Krisel.
Home Show House by William Krisel.
Julius Shulman snapped this image in 1947, one year after Richard Neutra completed the Kaufmann House in Palm Springs. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Used with permission. Julius Shulman Photography Archive. Research Library at the Getty Research Institute.
Julius Shulman snapped this image in 1947, one year after Richard Neutra completed the Kaufmann House in Palm Springs. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Used with permission. Julius Shulman Photography Archive. Research Library at the Getty Research Institute.
Baron House, Fabian Baron 07-2006
Baron House, Fabian Baron 07-2006
Olivetti store by Carlo Scarpa at Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy. Via Ecomanta.
Olivetti store by Carlo Scarpa at Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy. Via Ecomanta.
Brendan Ravenhill Studio Brendan Ravenhill Studio strips away excess and ornamentation in favor of physics. His creativity is on display in his Double Pivot Chandelier, promoted as a Buckminster Fuller-ian “tensegrity structure” that is just under 10 feet long.
Brendan Ravenhill Studio Brendan Ravenhill Studio strips away excess and ornamentation in favor of physics. His creativity is on display in his Double Pivot Chandelier, promoted as a Buckminster Fuller-ian “tensegrity structure” that is just under 10 feet long.
Brendan Ravenhill, who runs a studio in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, will take to the Dwell on Design stage to extol the virtues of craftsmanship and accessibility as it relates to emerging designers. Defined by its simple tensegrity is the Cord pendant, made and assembled in the USA.
Brendan Ravenhill, who runs a studio in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, will take to the Dwell on Design stage to extol the virtues of craftsmanship and accessibility as it relates to emerging designers. Defined by its simple tensegrity is the Cord pendant, made and assembled in the USA.
Intro/NY at @thedesignjunction featuring works by @brendanravenhill, @wrk_shp, @calicowallpaper, @shinamal, and more.
Intro/NY at @thedesignjunction featuring works by @brendanravenhill, @wrk_shp, @calicowallpaper, @shinamal, and more.
Multiple skylights, including one over the kitchen, bring sunshine into the home while keeping it private from surrounding neighbors. Pendant lights by Arne Jacobsen for Louis Poulsen, hanging over a dining table by ercol furniture, provides additional illumination. “The kitchen-dining-living room is cozy, but it is large enough to entertain 12 people,” Thomson says. The green chair is a prototype from Barber Osgerby and the rug is by Kate Blee.
Multiple skylights, including one over the kitchen, bring sunshine into the home while keeping it private from surrounding neighbors. Pendant lights by Arne Jacobsen for Louis Poulsen, hanging over a dining table by ercol furniture, provides additional illumination. “The kitchen-dining-living room is cozy, but it is large enough to entertain 12 people,” Thomson says. The green chair is a prototype from Barber Osgerby and the rug is by Kate Blee.
Wrk-Shp “Part of our ethos is that we are not fashion designers. We aren’t furniture designers. We aren’t architects. We are designers, and we can apply our vision to any medium and put our spin on it,” says Wrk-Shp co-founder Airi Isoda. Demonstrating that flexibility, this simple concrete planter can lie flush against the wall, hang independently, or be dropped into a table.
Wrk-Shp “Part of our ethos is that we are not fashion designers. We aren’t furniture designers. We aren’t architects. We are designers, and we can apply our vision to any medium and put our spin on it,” says Wrk-Shp co-founder Airi Isoda. Demonstrating that flexibility, this simple concrete planter can lie flush against the wall, hang independently, or be dropped into a table.
The cedar shingles on the exterior will naturally weather and change color from the ocean air.
The cedar shingles on the exterior will naturally weather and change color from the ocean air.
A 40-foot wall of sliding doors exposes the great room to the courtyard. The master bedroom also opens up to the outdoor space. The yard uses pervious paving and drought-tolerant plant species to reduce runoff and save water.
A 40-foot wall of sliding doors exposes the great room to the courtyard. The master bedroom also opens up to the outdoor space. The yard uses pervious paving and drought-tolerant plant species to reduce runoff and save water.
The interior palette is simple, with concrete floors and plaster ceilings. The fireplace, made of stacked Roman brick, is another design move commonly seen in midcentury houses.
The interior palette is simple, with concrete floors and plaster ceilings. The fireplace, made of stacked Roman brick, is another design move commonly seen in midcentury houses.
De Jong & Co. designed the great room, as well as the dining chairs and table. The sofa, chairs, day bed, and coffee table in the living space are by Lawson-Fenning.
De Jong & Co. designed the great room, as well as the dining chairs and table. The sofa, chairs, day bed, and coffee table in the living space are by Lawson-Fenning.
The 2,500-square-foot house has an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area. Criss Cross Ball pendant lamps by George Nelson cover the ceiling. The kitchen features Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances and a backsplash of Heath tile.
The 2,500-square-foot house has an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area. Criss Cross Ball pendant lamps by George Nelson cover the ceiling. The kitchen features Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances and a backsplash of Heath tile.

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