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 Eleven (1960 & 2001).

Modern Los Angeles has blessed us with a new persona of pilferer: the MCM Thief. A recent NBC News video follows the story of Zack Vincler, a man who broke into million-dollar homes and high-profile businesses and ignored the Rolexes in favor of vintage Eames and Roche Bobois furniture pieces. Curiously, he didn’t employ a crew of safecrackers, and he didn’t even attempt to dodge security cameras or lasers. Zack Vincler is less Danny Ocean and more Silver Lake design snob with a U-Haul, an eye for aesthetics, and an almost hilarious disregard for the law or life consequences.

Watch the whole video below:

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

12450 Rochedale Ln, Los Angeles, CA 90049

930 Andante Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

1151 Angelo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

3493 Valley Meadow Rd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

3839 Davana Rd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

1497 S Devonshire Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

610 S 400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

8033 Hendrix Ave, Pensacola, FL 32514

GEMS TO READ THIS WEEK

Eames by Gloria Koenig

Lautner by Barbara-Ann Campbell-Lange

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 design. Drawing on archival research, restoration lead Barbara Lamprecht - architectural historian and author of Neutra: Complete Works - oversaw the project with Los Angeles based artist and interior decorator Anthony Barsoumian and Andrew Gray Studio. Their work preserves Neutra's original design while introducing updates for modern living. Discreet enhancements including glass balcony railings, refreshed kitchen and baths, and a warm, neutral palette bring light and clarity to the interiors. Flexible walls allow spaces to adapt, while floor-to-ceiling glass frames sweeping views and seamlessly connects indoors to the surrounding landscape. Modern amenities, including Miele appliances, central air conditioning, and a wired sound system, are thoughtfully integrated. The home balances mid-century character with refined modern sophistication, creating a space that is both inviting and elegant. Designed for entertaining, it exemplifies California modernism: efficient, graceful, and enduring. Outside, John Sharp's sustainable, sculptural gardens extend the modernist ethos into the landscape. Shaded terraces offer space for dining, gatherings, or quiet retreat, with a fire pit, sunken hot tub, and small open-air theater. The lower level includes a finished bonus room and a large storage area, formerly a creative workspace.”

GEMS TO READ THIS WEEK

Mid-Century Modern: Interiors, Furniture, Design Details

MORE GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

5511 Vista Canada Pl, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011

1742 Deerhill Trl, Topanga, CA 90290

3640 Multiview Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

3905 Pacheco Dr, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

3493 Valley Meadow Rd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

126 Summit Rd, La Verne, CA 91750

7720 Firenze Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

8656 Skyline Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90046

3262 Dos Palos Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

1105 N Hamilton St, Saint Croix Falls, WI 54024

6424 SW 26th Pl, Gainesville, FL 32608

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

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In the 1930s, Jones attended the University of Washington to study architecture. He was influenced by his professor Lionel Pries. Jones graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in 1936. His education provided a foundation in the widely accepted design principles of his day, many of which he would later go on to break from. Following graduation, he moved back to what felt most like home: Southern California.

During his early career in Los Angeles, Jones worked under various established architects. Between 1936 and 1937, he was employed by Douglas Honnold and George Vernon Russell. He also worked for Paul R. Williams from 1939 to 1940. These early positions allowed him to gain experience and connections in the field before establishing his own practice.

Jones paused his architectural career during World War II. He served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945. Worth noting, fellow Case-Study Program architect Pierre Koenig also enlisted, serving on the front lines in both France and Germany. Jones went on to hold the rank of lieutenant commander and was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Lexington. He was discharged at the end of the war and returned to civilian life in Los Angeles, where is promptly got back to work. In 1945, Jones opened his first architectural office, called simply A. Quincy Jones, Architect. The fledgling practice was houses in a structure he designed and had built in Laurel Canyon.

The post-war era of course presented a significant housing shortage in the United States which led to a golden era of development. The massive demographic shift known as the ‘baby boom’ prompted Jones (and many others) to focus on residential architecture and the development of entirely new housing models. In 1946, Jones became involved with the Mutual Housing Association. This group was originally formed by four musicians who wanted to pool resources for housing and eventually expanded to include hundreds of members. The organization purchased 800 acres of land in the Santa Monica Mountains. The area was later named Crestwood Hills. Crestwood Hills represented a clean slate for Jones to imagine a new way of living. The team’s plan included single-family homes, an integrated nursery school, a park, and a community center.

The site planning at Crestwood Hills demonstrated Jones’s approach to landscape integration. The team designed the development to preserve views and limit grading along the ridges. Houses were sited down stepped lots or placed at angles to the street to maintain privacy. This method contrasted with standard grid layouts used by many developers at the time. Specific home designs incorporated concrete block foundations and chimneys. Many exteriors used exposed redwood siding and broad expanses of plate glass to connect the interior rooms with the natural surroundings.

Simultaneously, Jones reconnected with former colleage Paul R. Williams to collaborate on several new projects. Their partnership produced commercial and recreational buildings in Palm Springs, California. These projects included the Palm Springs Tennis Club addition in 1947 and the Town & Country Center. This period helped establish Jones as a modern architect in Southern California. Jones’ work in Palm Springs is still celebrated 70+ years later.

Around 1950, Jones formed a working relationship with real estate developer Joseph Eichler. Eichler was building residential tracts in California at a large scale and wanted to offer architecturally designed modern homes to the booming middle class. Jones was hired to design standardized house plans that could be built efficiently on a volume basis. To help handle the sheer volume of work from Eichler, Jones established a partnership with architect Frederick E. Emmons in 1951. Their architectural firm operated until Emmons retired in 1969. During this period, Jones and Emmons designed approximately 5,000 houses for Eichler’s developments. Their firm received the national Firm of the Year award from the American Institute of Architects for their work. A remarkable number of these homes have been preserved and remain widely sought after today.

The homes designed by Jones and Emmons for Eichler utilized easily-repeatable construction techniques. They frequently used post-and-beam construction methods and were built on concrete slab foundations containing radiant heating systems. The street-facing facades were typically closed off for privacy with interior atriums/courtyards, while the rear elevations featured floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

One of the specific housing tracts designed by Jones and Emmons for Eichler was Greenmeadow in Palo Alto, California. The subdivision was developed between 1954 and 1955. It consists of 243 single-family homes. The homes in this tract included features like double-car garages and built-in kitchen appliances ( luxurious offerings for the era). The Greenmeadow tract is recognized as one of the first to include various communal amenities. Jones and Emmons designed a community center complex within the subdivision featuring two community buildings and a swimming pool. While common today, the inclusion of these shared spaces was then unique attempt to foster social interaction among the news residents of the tract.

Jones is recognized as an early advocate for the inclusion of greenbelts in housing developments. A greenbelt is an area of open land preserved in its natural state or used for parks within an urban or suburban environment. Jones integrated these park-like common areas into his tract plans. This approach brought designated green spaces directly into suburban neighborhoods.

The use of greenbelts served a functional purpose in Jones’s planning strategy. By clustering houses or utilizing irregular lot orientations, developers could set aside shared open spaces. These areas provided recreation spaces for children and families. They also served as visual buffers between rows of houses.

In 1960, Jones expanded his planning work to a city-wide scale. Architect William Pereira hired him as a planning partner for the development of the city of Irvine, California. The master plan for Irvine incorporated urban greenways and preserved open spaces. This project became a reference for incorporating greenbelts into regional urban planning.

Alongside his architectural practice, Jones maintained an academic career. He joined the faculty at the University of Southern California School of Architecture in 1951. He served as a professor and later held the position of Dean of Architecture until 1967. His teaching role allowed him to instruct architecture students in his methods of design and planning.

Archibald Quincy Jones passed away in 1979 at age 66. His work provided an alternative to the standard stucco box houses prevalent in post-war suburbs. Through his partnerships with developers, he brought modern design to middle-income buyers. His integration of greenbelts and communal facilities represent a bright spot in the history of American suburban planning.

Read more about A. Quincy Jones and the Case Study Program:

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

3112 Chandelle Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

3640 Multiview Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

3247 Kallin Ave, Long Beach, CA 90808

3202 N Studebaker Rd, Long Beach, CA 90808

1234 Woodland Dr, Santa Paula, CA 93060

101 Bluebird St, Mount Pleasant, TX 75455

4504 W 78th St, Prairie Village, KS 66208

4338 Upland Drive, Madison, WI 53705

5945 Andover Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46220

6706 Glenwood Rd, Omaha, NE 68132

151 Clarks Rd, Rustburg, VA 24588

317 Hillview Rd, Venice, FL 34293

Sources:

[1] Palm Springs Modern Committee. “A. Quincy Jones.”

[2] USModernist Archives. “A. Quincy Jones / Frederick Emmons.”

[3] Los Angeles Conservancy. “Crestwood Hills” and Mutual Housing Association records.

[4] California Office of Historic Preservation. “Greenmeadow” and Eichler Homes historical records.

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 designer Madison Cox shaped the grounds with a restrained plant palette that reinforces the home's structure, including a courtyard entry softened by Japanese aralia and camellia. A private, gated driveway courtyard provides secure access and supports seamless indoor-outdoor living. The home was featured in Architectural Digest in February 2024. View the live listing here: 1141 Angelo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

1515 N Tigertail Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

1531 N Tigertail Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

21090 Rios St, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

1407 Ellsworth Ct, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

8656 Skyline Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90046

17442 Horace St, Granada Hills, CA 91344

1200 Idylberry Road, San Rafael, CA 94903

21 Norwood Ave, Kensington, CA 94707

1321 Lennox Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94087

20 Marquard Rd, Carmel Valley, CA 93924

410 Conil Way, Portola Valley, CA 94028

1301 Lewis Ave, Saint Joseph, MI 49085

330 5th Ave SW, Faribault, MN 55021

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

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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 & Justice, pioneers of modern garden design in Canada. Crafted in cedar, glass, and granite, the home reflects the philosophies of wabi-sabi and harmony with nature. A sanctuary of timeless design, preserved and reimagined for the present day.” View the live listing here.

MORE GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

1531 N Tigertail Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

1272 E Verbena Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

2764 Outpost Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

4421 Mayapan Dr, La Mesa, CA 91941

2424 Nichols Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

21090 Rios St, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

17136 Nanette St, Granada Hills, CA 91344

11576 Otsego St, North Hollywood, CA 91601

(Undisclosed Address), North Barrington, IL 60010

414 W Riverwood Dr, Petersburg, IN 47567

5816 Hansen Rd, Edina, MN 55436

1313 Governors Dr, Corsicana, TX 75110

Craig Ellwood was born Jon Nelson Burke in Clarendon, Texas. His family moved West, ultimately settling in Los Angeles. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Ellwood made his way back to L.A. where he worked in construction and general contracting. Along with his brother Cleve and two friends, Ellwood formed his first company. They named the enterprise ‘Craig Ellwood’, inspired in part by the group’s favorite liquor store, Lords and Elwood. The moniker was impactful enough that Jon Burke would go on to legally take the name for himself in 1951.

While working with his brother, Ellwood gained invaluable experience on new home builds across the Los Angeles area, becoming especially skilled as a construction cost estimator. This intimate familiarity with building materials would benefit him greatly in the next phase of his career. For over five years, Ellwood also studied structural engineering through UCLA extension night school. Although not technically an architect, Ellwood started to receive his first commissions to design private residences based on his reputation in the industry. In 1951, his new company, Craig Ellwood Design, was formed.

Just one year in and still green in his career in custom home design, Ellwood became the latest recruit of the Case Study Program. Case Study House No. 16 followed shortly after. It was the first of three houses Ellwood created for the Arts & Architecture magazine program. Today, house #16 is the only of the three still intact.

The Johnson House is the third in a series of steel hillside houses designed by Ellwood. The structure uses a modular frame of steel columns and wooden beams. This engineering allows the house to project out from the slope. The design creates a floating effect. From the street, only the carport is visible. The rest of the house is located on a lower level reachable by stairs.

The interior of the main residence includes three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. The living area features full height glass walls and sliding doors. The primary elevation faces south and includes an open balcony deck supported by 21 steel columns. The house has a flat roof clad in gravel. Inside, there are vertical redwood walls and exposed wood beam ceilings.

The property has undergone a restoration that updated the home for modern use. These updates include terrazzo floors, whole house automation, solar panels, and Tesla Powerwalls. The kitchen is equipped with Gaggenau, Wolf, and Sub-Zero appliances. A new one bedroom guest house or ADU was added to the property. It features a kitchen and a steam shower and opens directly to a swimming pool.

The house is a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument. This status makes the property eligible for the Mills Act. The Mills Act can provide property tax savings for owners who preserve historic buildings. The Johnson House was once referred to as the Beauty of the House of Steel by the LA Examiner. It remains an example of the Case Study era principles Ellwood helped popularize.

View the live listing here: 1515 N Tigertail Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

8125 E Moonstone Dr, Tucson, AZ 85750

801 Mountain Shadows Dr, Sedona, AZ 86336

4736 Conejo Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

2635 Cresta De Ruta St, Eugene, OR 97403

3459 S Crestwood Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84109

2991 Ishpeming Trl, Traverse City, MI 49686

2720 NW Forest Ave, Beaverton, OR 97006

912 Highway 277, Chipley, FL 32428

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

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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

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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 tall painting, Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer, was created sometime between 1914 and 1916. It depicts Lederer, a young heiress and the daughter of Klimt’s patrons, wearing a Chinese robe. Six bidders competed for over twenty minutes. The winning buyer has not been identified.

The striking painting carries an equally fascinating history. It was looted by the Nazis during World War II and nearly destroyed in a fire. In 1948, the portrait was recovered and returned to Lederer’s brother Erich. It remained in his possession for decades until he sold it in 1983, two years before his death. In 1985, the painting became part of the private collection of Leonard A. Lauder. He displayed it in his Fifth Avenue home in New York, with brief periods on loan to museums. Lauder’s death in June ultimately led to this month’s record breaking sale.

Compared to art, real estate pricing feels rather objective. Price per square foot and comparable sales generally guide the math for both buyers and sellers. But truly unique properties operate under their own rules.

Last week, the Stahl House was listed for sale for the first time ever. The asking price? $25 million. The home, also known as Case Study House #22, was designed for the Stahl family by architect Pierre Koenig and completed in 1960. It was first made famous through photographs by Julius Shulman but would later go on to be featured in dozens of Hollywood movies, TV Shows, and photoshoots. The Architect’s Newspaper has called it “one of the world’s most famous buildings.” Los Angeles magazine described Shulman’s image of the house as “perhaps the most famous photograph ever taken of Los Angeles.”

So is the $25 million asking price realistic? According to Redfin, the median home in Los Angeles sold for roughly $642 per square foot in 2025, while top decile home prices can exceed $1,200 per square foot. Richard Neutra’s thoughtfully restored Hailey House has sat on the market with a roughly $2,000 per square foot asking price. The Stahl House on the other hand, with ~2,300 square feet of living space, is listed with an approximately $11,364 per square foot asking price.

As one listing agent put it, “there are no real comps. The family is seeking a buyer who understands the house and its place in architectural history.”

How do you value something that probably belongs in a museum, or a structure that could itself be a museum? Are these financial assets or cultural artifacts? Traditional pricing formulas break and give way to something simpler: Value is set by the person willing (and rich enough) to own it. And hey, maybe compared to a $236,000,000 painting, a $25,000,000 home is a bargain.

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

1635 Woods Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069

3319 Tareco Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

3307 Bonnie Hill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

1816 N Stanley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

11600 Amanda Dr, Studio City, CA 91604

260 S Jasmine St, Denver, CO 80224

101 S Humboldt Street, Denver, CO 80209

1497 S Devonshire Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

2804 Glennis Ct, Tallahassee, FL 32303

44 Benedict Hill Road, New Canaan, CT 06840

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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

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Here are five nostalgic ads to start your Monday off right:

Marlboro – “Mighty Good Makin’s” (1962)

Herman Miller - “Low Cost Seating” (1953)

Herman Miller - “Gypsum Desert” (1965)

Herman Miller - “Bravo!” (1958)

Herman Miller - Beware Of Imitations (1957)

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

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

3604 Glenridge Dr, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

5961 Wrightcrest Dr, Culver City, CA 90232

7187 Macapa Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

7048 Vanscoy Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91605

12719 Jimeno Ave, Granada Hills, CA 91344

20300 Angelina Pl, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

3690 Keefer Rd, Chico, CA 95973

243 Haverton Rd #245, Arnold, MD 21012

1924 Applewood Cir, Hagerstown, MD 21740

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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 residence that has been carefully restored to preserve its original design. The home remains largely intact thanks to a series of owners/caretakers who maintained the home’s authenticity. The latest restoration, directed by Neutra scholar Barbara Lamprecht in collaboration with artist and decorator Anthony Barsoumian and Andrew Gray Studio, was guided by Neutra’s original plans and notes.

Original Philippine mahogany panels and redwood elements were refinished, and updates such as glass balcony railings, renovated kitchen and bathrooms, and a neutral color scheme enhance light and flow. The design includes movable walls for flexible space use and expansive glass openings that connect the interior with the surrounding landscape. Modern features, including Miele appliances, central air conditioning, and integrated sound, were added quite discreetly. It’s now ready for some new/old car to park our front.

View the Zillow listing here.

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

8715 Skyline Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90046

1370 N Avenue 57, Los Angeles, CA 90042

3564 Multiview Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

5399 Baseline Ave, Santa Ynez, CA 93460

924 Stonehill Ln, Los Angeles, CA 90049

4345 S Zarahemla Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84124

2105 E Fardown Ave, Holladay, UT 84121

11 Snowfield Ct, Midland, MI 48640

429 W Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45215

10260 Nolan Dr, Rockville, MD 20850

5 Brook Trail Rd, Wayland, MA 01778

636 Zena Road, Woodstock, NY 12498

3717 E 17th Ave, Spokane, WA 99223

4090 Dunwoody Dr, Pensacola, FL 32503

8475 SW Bohmann Pkwy, Portland, OR 97223

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 House, built in 1963 by Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright on a hillside lot in Hollywood. Lynch acquired the property in 1987 for a reported $560,000.

In 1991 Lynch commissioned Eric Lloyd Wright, grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright, to design a pool and pool house on the site, establishing a rare multigenerational Wright connection in the architecture. While the property has its share of Wrightian lineage and Brutalist additions, but also an obvious ‘lynchian’ vibe (macabre + mundane).

Over time the estate expanded to include multiple neighboring parcels, standalone structures such as guest houses, a studio building, screening room, editing suite, and one structure with a brutalist aesthetic that Lynch used both for practical work and in film-making (notably as the “Madison” house in Lost Highway). The entire property now occupies over two acres with 11,000+ square feet of living space.

Check out the Zillow listing here.

“Home, it’s a beautiful word. In The Wizard of Oz, that line, ‘There’s no place like home.’ This is something that everybody feels but there’s still many unhappy homes. It would be great to have a world where everyone had a home that they loved and where they felt secure and happy.”

David Lynch

Quoted from a great David Lynch interview in Big Issue

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

12400 Deerbrook Ln, Los Angeles, CA 90049

2179 Mandeville Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

3564 Multiview Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

2521 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

3102 Durand Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

862 Wildwood Trail, Santa Rosa, CA 95409

3017 E Saint Marys Cir, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

260 S Jasmine St, Denver, CO 80224

39 Fox Point Dr, Appleton, WI 54911

505 Burson Pl, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

3871 E Kens Ln, Midland, MI 48642

Davis was a lot more than just a musician, of course. He was/is a style icon, industry pioneer, and notably for today, a genuine car enthusiast. I’ve been chasing information, back stories, and photos of his cars over the years. Please let me know which ones I missed.

1955 Jaguar XK140 FHC
Davis bought the Jaguar XK140 after the success of his 1954 album Walkin’. The XK140 was a refined successor to the XK120, with improved handling and more interior space, but definitely an elegant cruiser rather than something very sporty. It came with a 3.4L straight-six engine and could reach top speeds close to 125 mph. I haven’t been able to find pictures of his actual car, so if you find any please send them my way.

1964 Ferrari 275 GTB
After a brief hiatus from performing, Davis returned in the mid-1960s with E.S.P. and a red Ferrari. The 275 GTB was one of the most innovative sports cars of its time, with a 3.3L V12 and a rear-mounted transaxle for better weight distribution. Davis drove it in New York and Los Angeles, where its elegant lines and spicy performance seem to suit him quite well.

1972 Lamborghini Miura
As fusion took hold, Davis’s style shifted again. The Lamborghini Miura, with its transverse-mounted V12 and radical Bertone design, fit the decade’s changing tastes. Its low stance and 170 mph top speed made it one of the first true supercars. Davis drove a lime-green Miura in the early 1970s during a period of both reclusion and experimentation. Miles reportedly kept a .357 Magnum under the driver’s seat, and in October 1972 he totaled it on Manhattan’s West Side Highway, breaking several bones in the process.

1984 Porsche 930 Turbo
In the 1980s, Davis took a brief break from Italian sports cars, buying Porsche 930 Turbo. With its distinctive wide rear stance, rear spoiler, and turbocharged flat-six engine, the 930 turbo was fast (for the era), loud, and a bit demanding to drive around town. I haven’t been able to find a pic of his.

Ferrari Testarossa(s)

I think the Testarossa is the car I most associate with Miles. First produced in 1984, the Pininfarina-designed powerhouse packs a 380 hp, 4.9-liter flat-12 engine (with 361 ft lbs of torque) paired with a gated 5-speed manual transmission. Miles appears to have owned two of them, one in yellow (Giallo) and one in Silver Metallic (Argento Matalizzato). The silver car, with a “Miles22” plate, was featured in a fantastic 1989 60 Minutes interview (starting at 8:30 time stamp).

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

135 N Rossmore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004

13007 Dewey St, Los Angeles, CA 90066

1091 N Kenter Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90049

17610 Chase St, Northridge, CA 91325

53 Walnut Tree Dr, Colusa, CA 95932

1497 S Devonshire Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

3017 E Saint Marys Cir, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

724 N Eastcapitol Blvd E, Salt Lake City, UT 84103

1464 S Eudora Street, Denver, CO 80222

597 Middle Waitsburg Road, Walla Walla, WA 99362

1934 Kessler Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75208

903 Bragg Cir, Tullahoma, TN 37388

8925 North Maitland Rd, Bayside, WI 53217

22345 733rd Ave, Albert Lea, MN 56007

Ralph Lauren’s 1995 Ferrari F50 in Giallo Modena, sold for $9.2M

1951 Ferrari 340 America Touring Berlinetta, sold for $3M

Bordeaux Red 1989 RUF CTR1 'Yellowbird' Lightweight, Sold for $4.2M

1993 Ferrari F40 LM by Michelotto, sold for $11M

1968 Porsche 911 R, sold for $1.1M

. . . and DK Engineering’s F50 Drive:

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

1911 La Mesa Dr, Santa Monica, CA 90402

667 Ledo Way, Los Angeles, CA 90049

1289 Old Topanga Canyon Rd, Topanga, CA 90290

535 Suncourt Ter, Glendale, CA 91206

3311 Roxanne Ave, Long Beach, CA 90808

2522 Zorada Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90046

1497 S Devonshire Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

3017 E Saint Marys Cir, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

724 N Eastcapitol Blvd E, Salt Lake City, UT 84103

597 Middle Waitsburg Road, Walla Walla, WA 99362

30 Crestview Dr, Salina, KS 67401

8925 North Maitland Rd, Bayside, WI 53217

W220 N7820 Golf View Ln, Lisbon, WI 53089

“The McSorley House, 1959. Richard Neutra’s 1959 A rare and remarkably intact midcentury modern retreat. This elegant 3-bedroom, 2-bath home sits at the center of a gated, private half-acre lot on a quiet cul-de-sac, surrounded by nature and thoughtfully preserved. Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors in the living room and primary suite create seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Birch wood and terrazzo floors run throughout, adding warmth and texture. A cozy wood-burning fireplace anchors the family room, while a large driveway leads to the covered carport. The tranquil reflective pool—drawn from Neutra’s original plans—enhance the serene setting. The spacious pool, added by the McSorley family, completes this iconic architectural escape. A truly special home that embodies the quiet beauty of classic California modernism.”

I found some original Julius Shulman photos of the home from USModernist.org. Looks like the trees really grew in over the last 70 years:

MORE GEMS FOR SALE:

1950 Linda Vista Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103

2734 Ellison Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

2052 Mayview Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027

2837 N Heather Pl, Boise, ID 83702

W220 N7820 Golf View Ln, Lisbon, WI 53089

Furniture designs can be protected under a few forms of intellectual property (IP) law, including design patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Design patents protect the ornamental design of a functional item for just 15 years from the date of grant in the U.S. Copyrights can protect original works of authorship, including certain aspects of furniture design, for the life of the author plus 70 years. Trademarks, of course, protect brand names and logos used on goods and services.

However, most iconic mid-century modern furniture pieces were created before robust IP protections were even in place, or their protections have long expired. As a result, the most popular designs are frequently replicated with little recourse available. I think the old adage “buy it nice, or buy it twice” applies nicely here. But thats probably a topic for a different day.

Five Most Commonly Replicated Mid-Century Modern Furniture Pieces

1. Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman (1956)

   • No big surprise here. Designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, the lounge chair is likely the most iconic and widely replicated mid-century modern piece.

   • Authentic versions are produced by Herman Miller and Vitra. Replicas abound with dubious quality, with some available for under $1,000. Manufacturing these things is no joke. Check out the process here.

2. Togo Sofa (1973)

   • Designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, the Togo sofa is known for its distinctive, low-slung design.

   • Originals are still produced by Ligne Roset. Replicas are widely available online (Wayfair special), often at significantly lower prices.

3. Tulip Chair and Table (1957)

   • Designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, the Tulip series is notable for its single-leg pedestal design. Read more about the Tulip Chair here. Authentic pieces are produced by Knoll to this day.

4. Noguchi Table (1947)

   • Sometimes known as the Bi-morphic table, Isamu Noguchi’s iconic design was duped even before it hit mass market production. Read more about it here.

5. Cesca Chair (1928)

   • Designed by Marcel Breuer, the Cesca chair combines a tubular steel frame with a cane seat and back.

   • Authentic versions are produced by Knoll. Replicas and countless variations are ubiquitous.

What widely duped designs did I forget? comment below . .

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

26591 Via California, Dana Pt, CA 92624

1760 Carla Rdg, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

1549 Rising Glen Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90069

13233 Addison St, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

603 Hightree Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402

1482 Carmelita St, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

333 Milford Dr, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

724 Malabar Dr, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

377 Flint Ave, Long Beach, CA 90814

687 Cedarberry Lane, San Rafael, CA 94903

8156 Coach Dr, Oakland, CA 94605

216 E Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023

2421 C St, Bakersfield, CA 93301

2837 N Heather Pl, Boise, ID 83702

16206 Maplewild Avenue SW, Burien, WA 98166

29 Lighthouse Road, Woodbury, CT 06798

Marcel Breuer was born in 1902 in Pécs, Hungary. He enrolled at the Bauhaus in Weimar, Germany, at the age of 18. The Bauhaus School, founded by Walter Gropius, aimed to unify architecture, design, and art education under one fresh, modern philosophy. Breuer quickly distinguished himself as a talented student and became a “junior master” at Bauhaus by the age of 22. He led the furniture workshop from 1924 to 1928.

Around this time, Breuer became interested in industrial materials and manufacturing methods, applied to everyday objects. He was inspired by the lightness and durability of tubular steel used in bicycle frames and experimented with the material to create modern furniture that could be mass-produced. In 1925, he designed what would become one of the most iconic chairs of the 20th century. Originally called the Model B3, it was constructed using nickel-plated tubular steel and taut canvas or leather strips. The frame was formed from a single continuous line of steel tubing, bent into a geometric shape to form the seat, back, and armrests. The chair had no traditional legs or solid body, which made it appear open and lightweight.

“At that time I was rather idealistic. 23 years old. I made friends with a young architect, and I bought my first bicycle. I learned to ride the bicycle and talked to this young fellow and told him that the bicycle seems to be a perfect production because it hasn’t changed in the last twenty, thirty years. It is still the original bicycle form. He said, “Did you ever see how they make those parts? How they bend those handlebars? You would be interested because they bend those steel tubes like macaroni.”

"This somehow remained in my mind, and I started to think about steel tubes which are bent into frames—probably that is the material you could use for an elastic and transparent chair. Typically, I was very much engaged with the transparency of the form.

"That is how the first chair was made…I realised that the bending had to go further. It should only be bent with no points of welding on it so it could also be chromed in parts and put together. That is how the first Wassily was born. I was myself somewhat afraid of criticism. I didn’t tell anyone I was doing these experiments actually. [Wassily] Kandinsky, who came by chance to my studio when the first chair was brought in, said, “What’s this?” He was very interested and then the Bauhaus got very interested in it. A year later, I had furnished the whole Bauhaus with this furniture.”

-Marcel Breuer

Breuer was influenced not only by industrial design but also by the abstract art of his time. One of his colleagues at the Bauhaus was Russian-born painter Wassily Kandinsky who had joined the Bauhaus faculty in 1922. Born in 1866 in Moscow, Kandinsky originally studied law and economics but shifted to painting after feeling unfulfilled. He moved to Germany in 1896 before his time at Bauhaus. Kandinsky is often credited with creating one of the first purely abstract paintings in 1911. His work focused on the emotional power of color and shape. At the Bauhaus, Kandinsky taught classes on color theory and form and was a respected figure among students and fellow faculty.

Friends, Breuer and Kandinsky lived and worked in close proximity in Dessau. According to later accounts, Kandinsky admired the chair Breuer had designed for his own use in the faculty housing. Although there is no record that Kandinsky commissioned the chair, he expressed admiration for its design and owned an early version. When the chair was reissued in the 1960s by Italian manufacturer Gavina, the company renamed it the "Wassily Chair" in honor of Kandinsky’s appreciation and association with the design.

The Wassily Chair was one of the first pieces of furniture to use bent steel tubing as its primary structure. This construction technique was made possible by recent innovations in metal manufacturing, particularly the seamless steel tubing produced by the Mannesmann process. Importantly, the chair’s design required no welding. Instead, the tubes were connected using screws and clamps, allowing it to be assembled and disassembled easily. A radical departure from traditional furniture at the time, the chair eventually became a symbol of modernist design. It aligned with the Bauhaus goals of function, efficiency, and reduction of form. It was not widely produced during the 1920s, but its legacy grew over time. In 1962, Italian furniture company Gavina began manufacturing the chair commercially. In 1968, Knoll acquired Gavina and began distributing the Wassily Chair worldwide.

The Wassily Chair remains in production today (you can buy one here) and is included in the permanent collections of many major museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It is considered one of the earliest and most influential examples of modern furniture design.

GEMS FOR SALE THIS WEEK

9031 Hollywood Hills Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

5228 Escalante Dr, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011

945 Linda Vista Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103

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