In 1950, landscape architect Bill Davies tasked Canadian-born architect John Kewell to design his home in Silver Lake. Although single-family residences were not Kewell’s focus in Southern California, the men, who likely connected through work for the Los Angeles Unified School District, were happily successful in their brief partnership.
Their shared appreciation for the outdoors and midcentury modern design manifested in Davies’ house, which partly cantilevers off the hillside to take in stunning mountain and city views framed through massive panes of glass.
The house faces north and slightly west. The living spaces and the master bedroom overlook city and mountain views.
A wall of windows floods the living room and dining area with natural light. The room has been staged with Knoll dining chairs by Mies van der Rohe, a Platner Wire dining table, a Plycraft Lounge chair, and other vintage period-appropriate finds.
The charming two-bedroom, one-bath house has been carefully maintained over the years, with no major changes save for a bathroom remodel in 2014—and now it has resurfaced on the market for $1,175,000.
The midcentury home is clad in horizontal planks of redwood.
Clad in redwood timber and surrounded by views of nature, the light-filled 4,202-square-foot home was shaped by Davies’ desire for a "livable treehouse with a cabin feel," according to the listing agents.
Anchored by a vintage Thonet cantilever chair, the master bedroom is filled with natural light and views of the outdoors.
The cabinets in the bedrooms and hallway are built from teak.
The master bedroom opens up to a triangular outdoor deck. The corner window lets in light and panoramic mountain views.
The view from the house. The Hollywood sign can be seen in the far distance.
The home's seamless connection with the outdoors is facilitated through abundant glazing, strategically placed so as to not compromise privacy.
A northeast-facing view of the home's front entrance and brick patio.
The second bedroom looks out over the brick patio and entry.
Woven rug with a vintage-look pattern in a highly durable weave that fits every indoor/outdoor need with a weather-resistant construction. Eco-friendly, stain-resistant rug made reversible with two takes on a bold pattern.
The bathroom cabinetry is made of Zebrawood. The floor is limestone tile.
Located next to the entry hall near both bedrooms, the bathroom is fitted with Hansgrohe and Toto fixtures.
A door separates the open-plan living and dining area from the entry hall. White oak flooring is used throughout the home.
A snug breakfast nook in the kitchen overlooks mountain and city views below.
The backsplash and countertops are made from granite. Terrazzo marble lines the kitchen floor.
The kitchen, fitted with maple cabinetry, opens up to a redwood deck that connects to the master bedroom.
A rear deck added in 2009 offers ample outdoor entertaining space. Here, the deck is anchored with an outdoor sofa set from Cost Plus World Market, while an outdoor dining set sits closer to the house.
The detached office, approximately 150 square feet in size, is located south of the living room and opens up to the outdoors.
A laser-cut model of the home. The recently added rear deck is not shown.
The floor plan of 2317 Bancroft, supplied by the current owner.
2317 Bancroft Avenue is now being listed by Joanna Suhl and Bobby Rodriguez of Compass for $1,175,000. The home was staged by Chris Pearson of Echo Ranch. See the full listing here.
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