A Japanese-Inspired Charles Wong Post-and-Beam Home Hits the Market at $1.1M
This beautiful midcentury also happens to be the childhood home of Issa Rae.
Designed by residential architect Charles Wong in 1962, the post-and-beam Yuen Residence is an example of the burgeoning postwar influx of Japanese-inspired design in Southern California. The home's elegant, minimalist interiors blend a distinctive Japanese aesthetic with classic modernist design elements such as post-and-beam construction; a wood-paneled, tongue-and-groove ceiling; clerestory windows; and walls of glass.
The serene, Japanese-inspired midcentury home features interiors that are fully connected to the outdoors.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
The open living room is anchored by a large fireplace and connected to the dining room and kitchen.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
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The sprawling 3,593-square-foot, three-bedroom, four-bath home has bright and airy open-plan interiors with two sunken rock gardens, benches, and beams that break up the space while providing support. Built-in cabinetry with paper-lined doors, fusuma (rectangular panels which can redefine spaces within a room), sliding glass doors, and shoji screens all add to the home's minimalist Japanese-inspired aesthetic.
The open plan is visually broken up by the use of shoji screens and beams.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
The entry is set apart from the living space by two sunken gardens.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
The entry flows into the kitchen, dining room, living room, and straight out the back.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
Sliding glass doors connect the dining area to a long deck that lines the exterior.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
Long decks wrap the house and integrate with the interior via sliding glass doors.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
An additional sitting room.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
The updated kitchen.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
Solid beams support the tongue-and-groove wood-paneled ceiling, which extends to the exterior of the home. Every room is connected to the outdoors.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
Shop the Look
Herman Miller Eames Molded Fiberglass Armchair
Charles and Ray Eames realized their dream to create a single-shell form over 80 years ago by making their molded chairs of fiberglass. When the environmental risks of that material became known, the Eames Molded Shell Chair (1950) was changed to polypropylene, which is 100% recyclable and has a pleasant matte texture. In 2013, Herman Miller safely brought back the fiberglass shell thanks to a new proprietary production process. Today’s fiberglass chair is made of 99% recyclable materials and covered by Herman Miller’s take-back program for environmentally sound recycling. Plus, it’s true to the original with its beloved variegated surface. Also making its debut in 2013 was the stunning Eames Molded Wood Chair, a longtime dream of the Eameses finally made possible by today’s revolutionary 3-D molding technology. The result is an elegant yet strong and durable beautiful wood shell. The collection was expanded again in 2015 to include a counter stool and barstool. Each provides just the right amount of give, with a deep seat pocket and waterfall seat edge to reduce pressure on the backs of thighs. The Molded Shell Chair is a celebration of the Eameses’ fascination with emerging materials. “The chair that Charles and Ray were designing,” says grandson Eames Demetrios, “is the chair that’s made tomorrow.” This is an authentic Eames Chair by Herman Miller. Made in U.S.A.
ShopThe serene master bedroom has a strong indoor/outdoor connection.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
The vintage master bath has a deep soaking tub, inspired by Japanese bathing culture.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
Another view of the step-down soaking tub.
Photos by Cameron Carothers
4476 Mount Vernon Drive, Los Angeles is currently listed by Matt Berkley and Scott Lander of Deasy Penner Podley. The home is being sold through the plumBid auction system with the bidding starting at $1.099 million.
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