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House Tour: Ben's Mid-Century Mecca
Los Angeles

091908_ben1.jpgName: Ben Wolfinsohn, director and co-founder of Stop Following Me Productions
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Rent or Own: Rent

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2-23-housetourlogo.jpgWhen Ben sent us a link to his home, we pretty much jumped at the chance to feature it in a house tour. If you love mid-century modern, then this space will have you green with envy. But what we love the most about his home is that he makes each of his show-stopping pieces work together cohesively with unique art pieces and plants, creating a warm and inviting space that feels effortless and unpretentious.

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AT Survey:

Tell us a little bit about your home: When I moved in, I told myself that I would only allow things in the door that I really liked. If I didn't like it, then I wouldn't have it. So it took me about 3 months till I had my first light and about 3 years to get my first planter. My friends got me a little addicted to "architectural pottery," the pottery originally designed to go along with a lot of the first Case Study Houses.

My/Our style: Straight lines.

Inspiration: Too many things to say, but here are some of my favorite artists, architects and designers: Ray Kappe, Louis I. Kahn, Edward Killingsworth, Robin and Lucienne Day, Rudolph Schindler, Walter Gropius, Richard Prince, James Rosenquist, Robert Bechtle, Sarah Sze...

Biggest Challenge: The place had molding everywhere, weirdly placed windows, and a kitchen that looked like a long hallway with a sink.

What Friends Say: They say they like all my paintings.

Most Talked About Element: Most talked about might be my 1970 JVC video sphere that I rigged to be able to play the Daily Show any time I am cooking. And how I wired every speaker, projector, tv and computer in every room (minus the bathroom) together so no matter where you go, you see and hear the same thing.

Biggest Embarrassment: That at any moment all my improvements will all come apart like in the hotel in Barton Fink and that I will just give up and use duct tape to hold everything back together. That's kind of what is about to happen with my cork floors. My neighbor is a perfect craftsman, so every time I'm doing an upgrade, he comes over and tells me how I didn't line anything up right. Then every day I look at what I did all I can think about is how I messed it up so badly and how I can't even paint a straight line.

Proudest DIY: Snuck into a famous LA artist's studio so I could cast George Nelson knobs for the kitchen.

Cleaning or organizing tip:Make sure everything in your house has a place to live. That's even down the the last key. Even if it means you have to have a box titled "temporary spot for things I have no idea where I will put."

Best advice: Kurt Versen makes great lamps.

Favorite Store: "A.K. Eleven 14" on Abbot Kinney in Venice is owned by possibly the most knowledgeable human on earth when it comes to mid-century furniture. "California Living" on La Brea in Hollywood makes the best outdoor furniture in the world and is one of the most knowledgeable places; VKG would be proud of them. And "Ten10" on Silverlake Blvd. in Silverlake is another great place.

Dream source: If Vitra Design Museum decided to have a garage sale in my backyard because they decided to only showcase the likes of Rococo Style furniture.

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(Thanks, Ben!)

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Photos by Ben Wolfinsohn

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Tags

House Tours, Mid Century Modern, Ben Wolfinsohn, Stop Following Me

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Comments (43)

sigh. yes i'm jealous... i love your furniture!

posted by erinpearce on September 19th 2008 at 11:50am
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Nice!
I like your minimalist home theater, especially how you snaked the projector's wiring through the ceiling (or so it appears).

posted by lightspeed on September 19th 2008 at 11:50am
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You know, it's nice and all, but I'm getting a bit tired of the DWR Show Houses. I don't mean to dismiss it. It is certainly better than a lot of other routes. But when you can look at a room and name each piece, it becomes a little like a t-shirt with the brand name on it.

Yes, all the pieces are iconic. It's like hearing a good song ten thousand times.

posted by threadbare on September 19th 2008 at 11:54am
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There's the same TV show on every TV ....

posted by Daniel Poitiers on September 19th 2008 at 11:59am
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it's not his fault...!!
haha

posted by cvsus on September 19th 2008 at 12:02pm
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cool planters.

it's funny the note about the molding. cuz i noticed the interesting moldings throughout the house but how they're almost embarassedly covered up with white instead of showcased. i think it would be cool to work with those more, even if it's not the perfect, pristine vision of modernism.

posted by semolina on September 19th 2008 at 12:02pm
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Where did you get your sofa?

posted by amybell74 on September 19th 2008 at 12:10pm
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Please please please tell me what color you painted your kitchen!!!

posted by atlantadesigner on September 19th 2008 at 12:20pm
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I don't know why the molding is a challenge rather than a plus. Anyone can live in a box. This place is nice, and the plants really make it come alive.

@threadbare--I think there's plenty who read and agree.

posted by Palmetto on September 19th 2008 at 12:31pm
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Do the kitchen pendant light fixtures get in the way when you open the cabinet doors? They seem so low in the pictures.

posted by reb on September 19th 2008 at 1:13pm
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I like each of those pieces individually but together they seem so one note. And I wondered the same thing that Reb did. How do you open your kitchen cabinets?

posted by MiklakMiklak on September 19th 2008 at 1:44pm
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That's one brave kitchen! I like it. Very original with the blue ceiling. =)

posted by barbidahll on September 19th 2008 at 4:08pm
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how do u like the phone??? can't move around too much. I have the same, and haven't found an 18 foot cord yet!

posted by avadallor on September 19th 2008 at 4:42pm
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I loved this house..Hate on haters!

posted by justjenny. on September 19th 2008 at 6:21pm
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Bertoia, blah, Eames, blah, Saarinen, blah, JVC, blah. Nothing here is surprising.

posted by thebradseed on September 19th 2008 at 11:09pm
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Nice! Love all the lighting.

Does the fridge open all the way?

posted by VeryDelishVeg on September 20th 2008 at 2:47am
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I've decided that the "iconic" furniture everyone's ranting about is just like those Tiffany's status jewelry pieces (like the link bracelet or necklace with the heart). Everyone knows what it is, where it's from, and how much it cost. It says "good taste," and is beyond reproach because of the quality, design, and brand but there isn't anything original about it.

All is not lost for Ben, though. I think he has a good eye and will develop a more confident (less MCM-cliched) style over time. He has a nice way with color and knows how to "compose" rooms. And I love a lot of his art!

posted by madsarah on September 20th 2008 at 3:24am
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i think it's great. clean, simple, well placed.

posted by DreaMichelle on September 20th 2008 at 5:18am
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Delightful but I think there is a burglar on the cctv.

posted by hrhprincessfiona on September 20th 2008 at 5:28am
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I love it, but would paint or replace the speaker covers in the wall with something the same color as the wall.

posted by Quince on September 20th 2008 at 6:32am
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hrhprincessfiona, LOL

I love the plants. Great job!

posted by graefix on September 20th 2008 at 6:32am
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If you're eclectic, people here say you have no style.

If you choose nearly all mid century or pieces inspired by that era, people here say you're cliche.

I think some of you just want to find something wrong with everything.

I love the blue ceiling!

posted by confusednazgul on September 20th 2008 at 7:15am
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I think photographs have a habit of sucking the soul out of a place. I have a feeling I would really enjoy this home in person.

posted by amiencc on September 20th 2008 at 7:37am
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I love everything about this house - the colors, the art, the furniture, the tech tweaks - but what stands out for me is that you can feel the owner's love for the home he created for himself. And that's the first sign of a House Tour worth taking.

posted by Eve in Hochelaga on September 20th 2008 at 2:59pm
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this is such a wonderful home. i have seen many of these home tours on apartmenttherapy and this is definitely one of my favorites! i love the glass bottles in the kitchen, the greenery inside and the landscaping is awesome!

i am dissapointed in the negative comments here. if you dont have something nice to say, why say anything at all? no one wants to hear that from you.

posted by mandiewood on September 21st 2008 at 6:00am
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I'm pretty ignorant about designer furniture, so to me this just looks nice, stylish, colourful and well put together.

Only improvement I'd make is a few piles of books and magazines near that sofa... :)

posted by yeti3a on September 21st 2008 at 1:32pm
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- SORRY, I JUST REALIZED MY PLACE GO POSTED ON HERE AND I’M A FEW DAYS LATE. I WILL TRY TO ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS NOW. (ben)

- the lights don't hit the kitchen doors, there are stoppers i put in.

- fridge opens enough.

- yes, we have all seen a lot of the stuff i have, as you can now get a lot of at the more usual spots. when i get a real job, or some more time i would like to build everything on my own or find some things that are a little less generic, you got me a little here. but it's sad too cuz good design is what it is, and if everyone has an eames chair it doesn't mean it's ugly, but maybe we do get a little board of it.

- tried to do white speaker covers, but you could see thought them, and if you couldn't the sound didn't make it through.

- what ever is playing on my laptop plays everywhere in the house at the same time, that's why there is the same image on all the screens. its a favorite film - stroszek.

posted by SFM on September 21st 2008 at 3:46pm
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Love your place and the lovely artwork too. By the way Stroszek is a wonderful and sad film but it is one of my favorites too.

posted by suzy8track on September 21st 2008 at 6:54pm
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I really like it! I love seeing lots of plants and it all looks so fresh and clean and well-loved. I also adore the wood floors. It must be a real joy to live there. Enjoy!

posted by Monica on September 22nd 2008 at 5:03am
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I love Ben's home, his sense of style and decoration is definitely one we have all seen in the past but nonetheless is one that though we see time and time again it always pleasing to the eye. One thing that you should consider is a warm paint like (americas heartland) on the classic Benjamin Moore color wheel in the living and dining area would warm up the place. Less gallery yet more home. Beautiful art.

posted by emilioramirez on September 22nd 2008 at 7:26am
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I love the two paintings in the living room, the framed piece in the kitchen, and also the piece with Werner Herzog (I assume that's Herzog, no?) in it. Where did you get them?

posted by littlebiscuit on September 22nd 2008 at 1:19pm
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THANKS FOR THE NICE COMMENTS ON THE PAINTINGS. YOU CAN BUY ANY OF THEM OR PRINTS ON MY WEBSITE IF YOU WISH - STOPFOLLOWINGME.COM

posted by SFM on September 22nd 2008 at 1:39pm
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May I ask where you got your couch? Is it a reproduction?
I love it, and it's perfect for a small room/apartment living.
Any information you have on it would be wonderful.

posted by lbcreature1 on September 22nd 2008 at 6:52pm
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THE COUCH IS A REPRODUCTION COPY OF BASICALLY AN EDWARD WORMLEY. IF YOU LOOK FOR WORMLEY STUFF YOU WILL FIND MANY LIKE IT. I'VE RUN INTO A FEW PROBLEMS WITH IT - SO TO DO IT RIGHT - THE BEST PLACE TO GET A COUTCH LIKE IT, AND CUSTOM MADE TO FIT YOU IS Ten10site.com

posted by SFM on September 23rd 2008 at 10:00pm
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LOVE this place. Well edited with so much humor and warmth. The John Goodman piece in the office is genius.

posted by j-girl on September 25th 2008 at 10:03am
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maybe this will be me one day. haha like you said, i take FOREVER to pick something to bring into my home. for several years the only furniture i settled on was my bed. i would sit in the floor. the dining table took 6 years, dining chairs 7, & i'm still working on a couch!

* * * *
kthnxbai

posted by mariegael on September 28th 2008 at 8:07pm
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Hi,

I really like your place. The design is wonderful, and I'm particularly impressed with the plants. I was wondering, are the plants growing hydroponically?

All the best,
Mark

posted by Greening on September 30th 2008 at 2:23pm
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Slideshow soundtrack supplier: http://tinyurl.com/3g2gtn

posted by Greening on September 30th 2008 at 9:18pm
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It's hard to believe that your place is rented. The owner must be pleased to have a tenant like you. Thumbs up!

posted by Patrick F. aka PsychoPat on October 6th 2008 at 5:46am
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I'd love some sources for the planters. Besides for Ikea, if possible. I did just go on an Ikea field trip but I think my living room is at its Ikea quotient already.

posted by amanda bee on October 27th 2008 at 3:31am
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i like the artwork.

posted by *elspeth on December 31st 2008 at 1:27am
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I love the Eames Hang-It-All as wall art, and the projection TV is a perfect solution for the long narrow space.

posted by sunan on March 19th 2009 at 11:13pm
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I love the colors and the furniture.... I am jealous.

posted by sunrise on March 20th 2009 at 11:04am
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