2059 Barnett Way, Los Angeles, CA 90032: Listed for $949,000
“Offered for the first time in its history, the Robert Pena Rosales Residence stands as a rare and remarkably intact piece of East Los Angeles architectural heritage. Cradled by the tranquil University Hills of El Sereno sits this cabin-like Mid Century built by Robert Pena Rosales for his family; a Mexican-American draftsman who once worked for Gensler & Associates. This deeply personal Mid-Century retreat has remained in the same family for more than seven decades, passing two generations of stewardship since its completion in 1952. The home was conceived as a harmonious extension of its natural surroundings. Echoing the spirit of the postwar Case Study era, Rosales embraced a restrained, simple timber-forward palette, crafting a split-level residence defined by warmth, simplicity, and a profound connection to the landscape. Original wood-paneled walls, exposed ceiling beams, custom handrails, and parquet flooring remain beautifully preserved, imbuing the home with an enduring sense of character and authenticity. Expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing and oversized windows draw sunlight deep into the interiors throughout the day, dissolving the boundary between indoors and out. The first floor, is comprised of a large living room that opens to a spacious deck which shares vast south-easterly hillside views as well as one of 3 bedrooms, also with front deck access. More than a residence, this is a legacy property. An exceptionally rare offering that has quietly witnessed 74 years of family life, celebration, and has seen generations of love and created life lasting memories within its walls. The home also comes with a 2-car garage and additional driveway parking. The Robert Pena Rosales Residence presents a singular opportunity to become the next steward of an irreplaceable Los Angeles story.”

MORE GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

9080 Wonderland Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

2813 5th Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90018

1528 Summit Road, Berkeley, CA 94708

4800 N Hammond Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73122

Upgrade your subscription to see more live listings near you:

Read more

AW: You grew up by the beach, now you live in the mountains. How has the starkly different landscape, geography, or changing seasons affected your creative perspective?

TB: Well, now my work- being mostly physical has become more seasonal, knowing I only have a narrow window of time to enjoy work outdoors and in fair weather. And also with sports cars, you want to use them in the summer, so I try to coop up and accomplish a lot in the winters. It has added an urgency to the work which is nice. Local canyons and less population provide incredible driving experiences here as well.

AW: A lot of modernist design relies on celebrating the raw honesty of materials like exposed wood grain, raw concrete, or unadorned steel. In your metal-craft and bodywork, how much do you lean into letting the material speak for itself versus something too refined or abstracted?

TB: Materials have become one of the most prominent and important aspects of my work in design and fabrication, as I have realized it is the primary factor on which people’s perception of it into the future relies. If the work ages well it will be respected longer. With the wrong materials, there’s no chance of graceful aging. So it’s become a focus for that reason. I try to stick to natural materials wherever possible and avoid plastics.

AW: There has always been a natural romance between modernist residential architecture and sports cars. Why do you think classic automotive design and mid-century modern spaces complement each other so well?

TB: I believe cars and architecture share so much common dialogue for several reasons. You interact with a sportscar on the interior and exterior in different ways much like a building. The structure and design of cars and buildings have a tensioned balance between function and aesthetic. Architecture and car design have both been heavily negatively affected by modern codes and regulations which have left a pinnacle and golden era for both disciplines in the past.

AW: Like me, you’re a collector (not quite a hoarder). Vintage tennis rackets, instruments etc. What’s a recent find you’re excited about?

TB: I recently purchased a French navy (marine nationale) scuba diving knife. I have been looking for one for years. It’s called an Espadon. It has such a wonderful shape with a symmetrical stainless blade and cast aluminum hilt, with pebbled grip texture and finished in a bright lead based yellow lacquer finish. It is just incredibly balanced, simplistic and beautiful to look at. It has modernist, sculptural lines.

AW: What’s a rabbit hole you’re going down these days? Movies, books, music etc.?

TB: I’ve been extremely interested in chemistry lately. In particular paint and finishes. Planning on setting up a lab in my studio for experiments in chemistry and paint making. I believe much of the lost beauty in the world we live in today is a result of plastic finishes and synthetic pigments. I love the idea of rediscovering some of that lost beauty through period literature and exploring my curiosity surrounding paint and color.

AW: You’re getting ready to scale and offer a production version of the Specter Sports Car. There’s massive demand out there for bespoke sports cars. Talk about the transition from creative pursuit to business and what some of the pitfalls might be?

TB: “Scaling” may be a strong word for what I’m attempting to do with my sports car brand. But expanding certainly to a sustainable, cottage level manufacturing operation as opposed to a multi-year moonlighting experiment. That’s the intention. The primary pitfalls at the moment are making the necessary concessions to the tastes of the market in order to sell cars. I believe in purity of design and staying true to the noble virtues of one’s own vision. But acquiescing to modernity on some level appears to be unavoidable. So I’m tight-roping that with a fine balance.

AW: You set out on a quest to design and build your own car from scratch. What advice do you have for anyone trying to pave a new or unproven path?

TB: Probably the same advice I would render to myself- which is avoid the impulse to explain yourself to people who don’t comprehend what you’re doing. Make every decision with a singular effort to stay true to what’s in your minds eye. Don’t hesitate to take forward steps towards the dream, as the path is more like a maze than a line- and retracing steps is inevitable. You might as well just keep moving forward, and soon enough you’re well past the point of no return.

Follow Tanner on IG at tanner.boyes or visit Specter’s website www.specterdesign.com for more info.

Tanner and the Specter in motion. Video by Harrison Mark and Mojave Productions.

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

3499 Beverly Glen Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

3580 Multiview Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

1515 N Tigertail Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

1227 Tellem Dr, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

2813 5th Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90018

1586 Lexington Ave, San Mateo, CA 94402

410 Conil Way, Portola Valley, CA 94028

8077 Shay Dr, Oakland, CA 94605

5330 SW Westdale Dr, Portland, OR 97221

4345 S Zarahemla Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84124

Advertising should be fun, especially for furniture.

Before the algorithms, the A/B tests, and the infinite scroll, ads had to do one thing well, make you feel something on paper. In the post-war era, fun and whimsical proved an effective approach. Here are five nostalgic ads to start your Monday off right:

“Chairs by Eames” 1950s:

Typography really does the heavy lifting here. I think “expanded facilities permit prompt shipping” is as close to Amazon Prime as the fifties had to offer.

Herman Miller – Multi Product Print Advert (1955):

This Multi-product spread looks like a greatest hits album in hindsight, featuring a George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa, Alexander Girard Textiles, Isamu Noguchi Table and Charles Eames DKX side chairs:

May We Send You Illustrated Brochure? Knoll 1954:

Hebert Matter’s playful, repeating pattern of Eero Saarinen’s model 71 and 72 plastic shell chairs (the predecessors to his famous pedestal/Tulip series) upholstered in vibrant Knoll textiles is perfect.

Pomona Tile from a 1957 issue of Arts + Architecture:

Pomona Tile was a big deal during its heyday and the hand painted Bahama Reef Series is about as fun as tile gets.

Fresh From Motorola 1961:

Illustrator Charles Schridde created some of my favorite ads of all time, in this one, a TV you could put just about anywhere.

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

2813 5th Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90018

2220 Banyan Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049

1580 Old House Rd, Pasadena, CA 91107

15256 Rayneta Dr, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

876 Las Ovejas Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94903

1595 E Evergreen Ln, Millcreek, UT 84106

Read more

I love this one. MacDonald designed the space with the aim of what he called "soft modernity" or organic modern design. The construction utilizes large aggr…

Read more

If mountain views are your thing, check out the live listin…

Read more

Alfred Hitchcock taught us in 1955 that a burglar could be a man of flawless taste. To Catch a Thief, featuring Cary Grant as a semi-reformed Monaco burglar, kicked off a legacy of aspirational heists carried on by the likes of The Thomas Crown Affair (1968 & 1999) and Ocean’s E…

Read more

Richard Neutra’s Hailey House is back on the market, asking $2,395,000.

From the listing:

“Perched in the East Hollywood Hills, the Jason Hailey House is a Richard Neutra treasure, restored with reverence and creativity. Originally completed in 1959, the residence remains remarkably intact, preserved by a succession of owners who honored its modernist d…

Read more

The Summit House (126 Summit Rd, La Verne, CA) by Foster Rhodes Jackson, AIA is special, really special, and it’s freshly rehabbed and for sale. View the live listing here.

From the listing:
The Summit House | Originally designed in 1953 by Frank Lloyd Wright protege Foster Rhodes Jackson, AIA, and recently expanded and restored by Bestor Architecture's Barbara Bestor, FAIA | This AD published, mid-century jewel beautifully blends organic materials, dramatic masonry, and warm hemlock detailing. Thoughtfully & meticulously updated sparing no expense, the home offers light-filled indoor-outdoor living, distinctive architectural elements and exceptional craftsmanship throughout. Set in the hills above the scenic Pomona Valley, the property places you minutes from hiking trails, serene foothill views, boutique local dining and convenient access to Los Angeles, Claremont and the Inland Empire. Located in the Claremont School District & within minutes to both The Webb Schools & Claremont Colleges. The area is known for its quiet residential feel, cultural amenities and strong community atmosphere - making this home not only an architectural treasure but also an ideal retreat with all the best Southern California has to offer.

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

1234 Woodland Dr, Santa Paula, CA 93060

Become a paid subscriber to support our little publication and see even more live listings:

Read more

Read more

Designed by Donald Polsky in 1960, the Hillman Residence is a mid-century modern home reflecting his work under Richard Neutra. The architecture emphasizes clean lines, functional design, and a strong connection to the landscape. A careful restoration by designer Brad Dunning preserves the home's original intent while refining its details. Landscape des…

Read more

Designed in 1946 by renowned architect Rudolph Schindler, the Kallis-Sharlin Residence is a striking example of site-driven modernism, dramatically set into a steep hillside with expansive views over the San Fernando Valley. Originally built for artist and film art director Mischa Kallis, the home follows the natural contours of the land, with layered volumes, terraces, and walls of glass that connect the interiors to the surrounding landscape.

Inside, Schindler's signature design language is on full display, with unconventional angles, abundant natural light, and a strong sense of flow between spaces. The iconic butterfly roof brings in clerestory light throughout the home, while warm materials - most notably mahogany and Douglas fir walls, ceilings and built-in furniture - add richness and character. Distinctive grape-stake cladding wraps portions of the exterior, allowing the home to blend seamlessly into its wooded setting while enhancing privacy. Additional features include four fireplaces, a spa-like steam shower, a mahogany soaking tub, a glass-enclosed office, climate-controlled basement storage, a rare private bocce court and a swimmers pool and jacuzzi.

Designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #860, the Kallis-Sharlin Residence underwent a thoughtful, multi-year restoration from 2017-2022 in collaboration with Barbara Bestor and Jeff Fink. The result is a beautifully preserved and highly livable architectural landmark - offering a rare opportunity to own a significant and celebrated piece of Los Angeles design history.

View the full listing here.

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

2179 Mandeville Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

9440 Gallatin Rd, Downey, CA 90240

8554 Day St, Sunland, CA 91040

3700 Hayvenhurst Ave, Encino, CA 91436

17136 Nanette St, Granada Hills, CA 91344

5622 Linda Rosa Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

3136 Alexis Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94304

80 Skywood Way, Woodside, CA 94062

807 Piper Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087

876 Las Ovejas Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94903

101 Ravinia Way, Los Gatos, CA 95032

Become a paid supporter to see more curated home listings:

Read more

Available Now: 701 Dansey Ave, Coquitlam, BC V3K 3G4

“The Sakura Estate by G. Douglas Wylie is a Japanese-inspired mid-century modern estate anchored by a 60-year-old cherry blossom tree. Nestled beside the Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, this 1963 residence stands among the last of its kind, a serene union of architecture and landscape by Muirhead & J…

Read more

Craig Ellwood was born Jon Nelson Burke in …

Read more

So where can you buy an affordable gem of a home today? I looked for the best budget-friendly modernist home for sale in the U.S. right now and here’s what I found:

$415,000 for 4 Bed 4 Bath home on 0.5 Acres in Oberlin, Ohio: 152 Shipherd Cir, Oberlin, OH 44074

$315K for a 4 Bed 2 Bath home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota: 635 W Summit Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

$425K for a 5 Bed 4 Bath home in Alton Illinois: 25 Logan Rd, Alton, IL 62002

$355,000 for a 3 Bed 2 Bath Mies van der Rohe-designed Townhouse in Detroit, Michigan: 1351 Nicolet Pl, Detroit, MI 48207

MORE GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

905 N Beverly Glen Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90077

11 Snowfield Ct, Midland, MI 48640

4305 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208

To support this publication and see more live listings:

Read more

A Gem for Sale This Week: The Jules Salkin Residence, by John Lautner, FAIA, Architect | 1948 | Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 1111

Here on more than a third of an acre in the hills of Echo Park, with panoramic views down the canyon all the way to the ocean in Santa Monica, this early mid-century modern work by the architect incorporates elements learned during his six-year apprenticeship with Frank Lloyd Wright, in addition to the bold experimentation that would come to define his personal oeuvre. On one hand, Wright’s principles of the low-cost Usonian house are clearly visible: a small footprint, an emphasis on horizontality, a restricted palette of materials, the principles of compression and release, and the use of board-and-batten redwood siding. On the other hand, Lautner was playful in his expression of the overall form: seven pairs of triangular Douglas Fir timbers create a spine for the house, supporting an upside-down triangular truss roof with little need for structure at the perimeter, lifting the ceiling plane up toward the sky, and allowing glass walls and sliding doors to connect directly to the landscape. Commissioned speculatively by polymath (concert violist, contractor, developer, architect, and attorney) Jules Salkin, one of the four studio musicians that founded the Crestwood Hills architectural community in Brentwood, the home was lost to history through decades of ownership by the original family, including additions and remodels that made the home almost unidentifiable.

Fortunately, in 2014 the home was rediscovered by the current owner, who painstakingly researched the property’s pedigree, removing additions and reducing square footage, to restore the property to its original condition, in collaboration with architect Barbara Bestor. The result is a successful marriage of old and new, where original details have been preserved, alongside new finishes that have been introduced compatibly. Butt-glazed clerestory window conditions have been recreated, woodwork has been stripped, the fireplace and chimney details have been corrected, and the Cherokee red concrete floor retains its patina. Simultaneously, contemporary kitchen and bathroom finishes give the home new life, with black phenolic resin countertops, hand-made ceramic tile, new built-in appliances, and attention to detail throughout. Historic landmark status may allow for Mills Act application in the future, with the possibility of substantial property tax savings.
Source: MLS#: 25626481

View the listing here:
1430 Avon Ter, Los Angeles, CA 90026

MORE GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

505 Orange Grove Cir, Pasadena, CA 91105

1256 Club House Dr, Pasadena, CA 91105

1345 Carnarvon Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103

1340 N Tigertail Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

To support Mid-Century Mondays and to see even more live listings, become a paid subscriber:

Read more

Earlier this month, a painting by Gustav Klimt sold for $236.4 million with fees at Sotheby’s in New York. It became the second most expensive artwork ever sold at auction, second only to the controversial Salvator Mundi.

The six foot…

Read more

2777 E Comanche Dr S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

The Lechner House by R.M. Schindler (1949 Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #1024)
11600 Amanda Dr, Studio City, CA 91604

3191 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

2335 San Ysidro Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

2563 Nichols Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

9624 Yoakum Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Read more

Read more

The home is a lovely example of preservation done right. Located in the East Hollywood Hills, the Jason Hailey House is a 1958/59 Richard Neutra res…

Read more

Film icon David Lynch’s Hollywood Hills compound, recently listed for $15 million. The home has quite a few layers of architectural and cinematic history, but more importantly feels like a personal relic of an enigmatic creative.

The home’s core structure is the Beverly Johnson…

Read more