Walker began designing and building houses independently in the late 1930s. He was unusual among architects of the period in frequently acting as both designer and builder, allowing him to maintain a unique level of control over construction and costs.

Walker contributed three houses to the Arts & Architecture Case Study House program: Case Study House #16, #17, and #18. Case Study House #16 was eventually torn down and later duplicated by his Son, a story for another day. While never famous, Walker’s work was well appreciated and regularly photographed by Julius Shulman and published in a variety of architectural and popular home magazines. Over the course of his career, Walker designed and built over 75 homes in Southern California.

Walker moved to Ojai in the mid-1950s, where he continued designing and building houses. He later left residential design and operated the Oaks Hotel in Ojai, as well as a shop where he sold jewelry he made himself. He died in Ojai in 1986.

One of the Walkers most notable projects, the Asher House (1949) is for sale now.

From the listing: “Located just 1 block from Mulholland Drive. The Asher Residence by Rodney Walker is considered one of his greatest works and an extraordinary and historic example of early midcentury Los Angeles architecture. Rodney Walker, AIA, who contributed three influential projects to the Case Study House program, was commissioned by the Asher family to develop this property which was completed in 1949. It stands as an exquisitely composed study in redwood, glass, and post-and-beam structure, capturing the essence of indoor/outdoor California living.

The residence is set high above Beverly Glen on a quiet ridge a is a true sanctuary that explores the methodology of light as architecture. Every room is composed to draw the landscape and views inward, allowing the outdoors to become a living extension of the interior. Glass walls, shifting shadows, and open volumes transform movement through the home. Many elements are experimental for their time, including a modular concept that allows the expansive living spaces to be easily reconfigured, enabling the home to shift from four to five bedrooms if needed. Upon completion, the house was photographed by Julius Shulman, affirming its place as a significant statement of modernist design. Set high atop the Santa Monica Mountains, the property sits on a private lane between Mulholland Drive and Beverly Glen, on the border of Sherman Oaks and Bel Air.

Its position affords inspiring 180degree jetliner views of the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains, with sunlight tracing the home from sunrise to sunset. The 0.58acre site is exceptional: a rare large usable lot in the hills with a lawn that wraps two sides of the structure, framed by pockets of architectural desert planting and mature avocado, walnut, pomegranate, magnolia, and olive trees that create a lush, tropical environment. The scale and layout of the home, combined with its generous outdoor spaces, make it clear that this is a property designed for family, guests, and effortless entertaining.

Thoughtfully restored and sensitively updated, the Asher Residence remains a rare, intact expression of Walker's architectural philosophy, a place where structure and nature are held in perfect balance within a work of art shaped by one of California's most influential modernists.”

View the live listing here: 3499 Beverly Glen Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

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Just Listed: The Borun House and Garden.

“Commissioned in 1960 from the acclaimed architectural firm Benton & Park, AIA, with a significant garden by celebrated landscape architect Garrett Eckbo, this single-owner residence beautifully captures the essence of the era with its clean lines, single-story profile, and seamless indoor/outdoor living. Set on …

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The Alex & Luba Kadvany House (1956) is offered for sale for the first time ever:

“An early and remarkably intact example of the Killingsworth, Brady & Smith’s elegant California modernism - designed for an exuberant Central European emigre couple building a new home for their growing family. Just one block from the ocean on one of the last remaining …

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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.”

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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.

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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…

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

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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…

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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…

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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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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…

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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.

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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 & J…

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Craig Ellwood was born Jon Nelson Burke in …

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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

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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

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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…

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