Name: Greg Holcomb
Location: Los Angeles
Size: 1750 sq ft.
Years lived in: 3.5 years
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We think if we reviewed all our ATLA house tours, the name "Greg" would end up being the most common name of participants. What can we say, we're a stylish bunch. And today we can add Greg Holcomb's 2 bedroom, 2 bath 1920's era apartment to the list of "Greg's" and "Gregory's" showcased. Greg's space is an example of how to buck the MidCentury or "loft look" for something a bit more eclectic and classical, his home defined by his love of foreign films, art, and a dedication for the finer things in life on an eBay budget (we especially like that Greg's mom made the window treatments). And get ready to be jealous of Greg's expansive city view below...we know we are!
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AT Survey:
My/Our style: An eclectic mix of art and antiques that reflect both a personal history as well as convey a personal aesthetic.
Inspiration: My inner dialogue. I’m influenced by everything from 1970’s Italian horror movies to 1920’s silent films. From ancient Egypt to Las Vegas. Food, music, books – all of it can inspire me and I want my home environment to reflect a taste of that inspiration back to me.
Favorite Element: The windows. They are everywhere. I’ve never lived in a place that had so many windows. They are original and have attached screens that slide into the walls. They are amazing.
Biggest Challenge: Combining pieces of various eras and importance in a way that they work together and compliment each other. The french Exorcist poster has to work with the Dole collage and the Sloan print. The plastic alien figurine from the toy store has to work with the DeLonga vase and the coyote skull that sits alongside.
What Friends Say: They say that when the building was built in 1922 it must have been done knowing that I would live there one day. Some think it is elegant, others think it is eccentric. Some don’t know what exactly to make of it but everyone seems to enjoy looking around.
Biggest Embarrassment: The master bathroom was remodeled in a very 90’s way by a prior owner. I never got around to changing it back to look like an original bathroom.
Proudest DIY: I like to hang pictures and place objects myself but beyond that I hire a professional.
Biggest Indulgence: Artwork and my bed. You can never shortchange your self on bedding. You deserve the finest materials against your skin.
Best advice: If you don’t like how something turns out you can always change it later.
Dream source: NK Shop on Highland.
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AT Survey:
My/Our style: An eclectic mix of art and antiques that reflect both a personal history as well as convey a personal aesthetic.
Inspiration: My inner dialogue. I’m influenced by everything from 1970’s Italian horror movies to 1920’s silent films. From ancient Egypt to Las Vegas. Food, music, books – all of it can inspire me and I want my home environment to reflect a taste of that inspiration back to me.
Favorite Element: The windows. They are everywhere. I’ve never lived in a place that had so many windows. They are original and have attached screens that slide into the walls. They are amazing.
Biggest Challenge: Combining pieces of various eras and importance in a way that they work together and compliment each other. The french Exorcist poster has to work with the Dole collage and the Sloan print. The plastic alien figurine from the toy store has to work with the DeLonga vase and the coyote skull that sits alongside.
Resources:
Appliances: Hardware Liz’s Hardware, Ebay. I see a lot of cool hardware these days even at the local hardware stores. There is a lot of junk too, but more interesting and workable options than I remember ever seeing around before.
Furniture: NK Shop on Highland and Melrose. The best store in LA.
Accessories: Flea markets, estate sales. The right stuff will find you if you don’t force it.
Lighting: Ebay
Rugs and Carpets: Lester Carpet on Beverly, Decorative Carpet on Melrose
Tiles and Stone: Exquisite Surfaces
Window Treatments: My mom made them!
Artwork: The most important piece of the puzzle. Collected from numerous sources. Family, flea markets, auctions. I have artwork by friends hanging next to known artists, next to paintings my little brother did, next to vintage lobby cards, next to antique prints that are hundreds of years old. I have found some cool stuff on Ebay but for the most part I just always have one eye open and collect pieces that grab my attention when I happen upon them.
Flooring: Rode Brothers
(Thanks, Greg!)
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Photos by Greg
We've had an amazing response to our Apartment Therapy House Tour Submission Form. While we will work with homeowners of our favorite homes to feature full tours, we will also share the best as House Calls — short, quick tours of readers' homes. Submit your home here.
Love the apartment - and those slipper chairs are perfect!
view bepsf's profile
Would like more pictures inside the home, not the buildings outside.
view LB783's profile
oh my! where is this pre war palace? I've never seen anything like it in LA! Reminds me of NYC.
view Bridget212323's profile
I agree this place/palace, as Bridget says, is gorgeous! The windows that view... incredible.
view E.I.F.'s profile
Wonderfulness. The living room is beyond words, as is the mix of palettes and aesthetics. Since Greg mentions liking '70s horror, may I suggest adding a "Suspiria" theme somewhere? Just to keep guests on their toes...
view rosenatti's profile
Stunning. Absolutely stunning. I love the mixture of ethnic/mid-century/20's. It's all done with such style and such a great eye. Kudos.
view katlia's profile
After seeing the first pic, I was pleasantly surprised by the rest. Lovely.
view -haley-'s profile
love the actual space. Not so much the contents though.
The furniture seems to be a bit 'swallowed up' by the large spaces.
view LuvModern's profile
this place is fantastic! I can't figure out what part of town this is in.
view Rouncewell's profile
Such a great mix of glamour and whimsy. I love the living room, the hallway, and the knotty-pine (is that knotty pine?) kitchen with the old stove.
And that view shows off the clearest sky I've ever seen in LA!
view sally305's profile
I viewed the pictures with mouth agape and then read your summary comments. Clearly, your ability to articulate what's in your head through both words and actual design aesthetic is profound. Your space is uniquely beautiful. Your furniture is perfect in scale, tone, diversity. I adore the wicker couch with the navy velvet cushions. Its single placement in the room suggests bygone elegance. The combination of your other furniture and objects produces a contemporary but classic vibe. The hallway leading to the fireplace is exceptional. Your selection of console table and artwork is like the first course of a spectacular tasting menu. It makes me want to both linger and savor that space but also eagerly anticipate what's next.
If you invited me for dinner, I'd miss the meal in favor of enjoying the space, your art, the views, the vibe.
view ShellyinMSP's profile
I liked seeing the outside of the building as well as the inside; definitely not your standard LA apartment building. You are so lucky to have found a place in this beautiful old building. The city views from the apartment are just spectacular.
Not fond of the knotty pine kitchen cabinets, but like so much else about the apartment. The decor is not my style at all, but I think this place works so well; the pieces all mesh nicely. Very well done!
view Sydney's profile
great windows and light.
view citizen_brian's profile
Very nice apartment. I would move the furniture around, though... To me furniture must be first practical and comfortable, then aesthetically pleasing... The wicker navy couch is great, but how would you rally sit on it in the middle of a room, with no small table to put a glass on, staring at... what? Just a bit weird.
But great bones. The orange ceiling scared me a bit ;-)
view Offtza's profile
Indeed nicely done, however the knotty pine cabinets and the white pulls just don't work in the kitchen IMO w/ the rest of the space's easthetics.
That said, I like how you juxtepose stuff from different eras but I found the furniture arrangement a little stiff and I'd have tried to utilize the fireplace as a small seatting group, right now it's between 2 seating areas, one just a wicker couch, I know you are trying to replicate a bygone era's eligance but still, it seems a little too formal to me.
I'd have done a bit more in the bedroom, seems sparsely furnished and little on the walls, but again the overall style is nice and soothing.
And I have to echo the others, great space and very unusual for much of what you find in LA and I love those views, both daytime and at night. Loves me some stunning city views.
view ciddyguy's profile
Bridget: "oh my! where is this pre war palace? I've never seen anything like it in LA! "
Really?! Everyplace I've ever lived in LA is a 1920s or 1930s building.
view piez's profile
piez - then you're going apt hunting with me next time! the amount of TRAGIC tile i've seen in this city would make you weep...this place reminds of the pre war apts in NY on the upper west side...no place in LA has ever come close....
view Bridget212323's profile
Yes..Love it. Wish my home had all the windows..too nice and whole design of the living room., very nice. Your kitchen cabinets look like ones my Dad had made when I was little. Love all your pictures of the city..epically at night. Very pretty to look at.
Thanks
view EileenB's profile
I also like what he's done outside with the skyscrapers and apartment buildings (in the last seven photos). The snow-capped mountain is a nice touch too.
I agree with ShellyinMSP - truly he is a god among men.
view Blandwagon's profile
What stunning views and windows! Simply lovely!
view rusticmodern's profile
Wow is an understatement - not thrilled with the bedroom or its curtains. A beautiful place to live in.
view Betty14's profile
The apartment reminds me of Brenda's on the HBO drama Six Feet Under. Did they possibly film it in one of these apartments?
view madk's profile
Beautiful! And for sale! There are pictures and info at www.3400sanmarino.com
view martianman's profile