What We're Talking About This Week

 

San Francisco's food scene has been getting better and better recently, but with sky high rents, some of the most inventive meals are served in pop ups around the city.  Here's a list of some of the best options over the next few weeks.

 

LA is having a bit of a renaissance architecturally right now, and this article breaks down some of the best new buildings in the city.

If, like us, you have dreamed many times of spending the night in Versailles, the opening of a 20 room hotel in the French Palace by 2020 is extremely exciting.  We'll start saving now...

Last night, Universal Studios finally opened the doors to the long awaited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Within the Potter themed park, you can go through Diagon Alley, drink butter beer, and ride the Hogwarts Express. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Italian Getaway: Mirror Houses

We are obsessed with these modern vacation cottages in South Tyrol, near the Dolomites. Northern Italy has been our vacation list for some time now, and this would be the perfect stopping point. There are two units, both single bedroom, but there is a sofa couch option, for a maximum of four guests. There is a pool if the weather is warm, and yoga classes are offered, if there's interest. The hosts have even put together a PDF city guide for Bolzano and the surrounding area.

Giovanni Caccamo and Deborah Lurato filmed a very dramatic music video there as well, which kind of makes us want to go in the winter instead...

For more information, visit their website here.

California Architectural Gem: Case Study House #26

We are big fans of the Case Study Program, where noted architects of the day created designs for low cost housing for Arts & Architecture Magazine. Most ended up being built in Southern California, but #26 was built in Marin County, in San Rafael. Designed by Beverley David Thorne, it was finished in 1963. It used steel beams to build on a steep incline.

Images from Curbed and Arts & Architecture

California Architectural Gem: Walter Bailey House

Built for Walter Bailey in 1959, the Bailey House is number 21 in the Case Study House Program, which invited notable architects to share their low cost, modern housing designs with the magazine 'Arts & Architecture'. 

The Bailey House was designed by Pierre Koenig for the site, located in the Hollywood Hills. It's constructed using prefabricated materials, such as steel beams and glass panels, and features ponds with water that circulates up through the house to help keep it cool, while also filtering the water and providing nice audio.

Subsequent owners remodeled the house, but one owner in the nineties hired Koenig to help restore it to its original design, with the addition of updated appliances. It was then declared a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument to preserve the building intact through future owners, and later set a record for the second highest price of a modern home at auction, when it sold for over three million dollars. 

The floor plan is configured in an L-shape with bathrooms and utilities in the center of the home, and glass walled living areas around the perimeter. It was configured with a north/south axis to capitalize on the views, as well as take advantage of the southern exposure in winter and help keep the house cooler in summer. It is considered one of the finest of Koenig's works and a high point in the Case Study Program.

content via wikipedia and Arts & Architecture. images from pinterest and curbed.

California Architectural Gem: Ennis House

Located in Los Feliz, the Ennis House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1924. Drawing inspiration from Mayan temple architecture, it is constructed of pre-cast concrete blocks. One of a number of houses Wright designed in L.A. during this period using the cement block technique, the structure is reinforced with metal bars. Because of the larger budget of the owners it's also on of the largest built with this method. Typical of Wright's style, it is designed to embrace the land it's constructed on. The building is foreign and unusual looking for the time, but also features familiar elements of art nouveau style with metal scrollwork and stained glass.

Such a gorgeous pool, and view.

The library's built in bookcases, what an amazing space to read.

This interior hallway is pure magic.

The paved courtyard separating the main house and garage is designed to highlight the view.

The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is available to tour 12 days out of the year. It's definitely on our list of places to visit.

All images from Pinterest.