Name: Lora (of LoMotionLA & Button Events) + Frank Banzali
Location: Hollywood Hills — Los Angeles, CA
Size: 2,416 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year 2 months — own
Lora and Frank have the quintessential Mid Century Modern home. Everything, from the open floor plan to the expansive windows to the location in the hills, is reminiscent of the famed Case Study homes they admire. Taking a fun modern approach to collectibles and design, this house is the perfect home for the couple to grow into.
When I asked Lora and Frank what the most significant thing in their whole home was, they said "The dining table — it's our first chance to connect after a long day." What a perfect way to express how important quality time is to them. They wanted to design their home to express exactly who they were and firmly believe in "Injecting your personality into the design, because that's what makes it a home versus a showroom."
Lora and Frank also told me that they have met three of the previous homeowners by chance. A truly loved home, nestled into at least an acre of pure forrest hills — this is a California dream. "We're definitely inspired by California design/Case Study homes — open concept, having the connection from the indoors to outdoors. We love the action of the city but also realize Los Angeles offers amazing landscapes. Because our home is only a short distant from the hustle and bustle, it is the perfect balance of urban dwelling and refuge."
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: A clean mix of modern and nature with an urban edge. We try not to take ourselves too seriously, so our style will always have hints of humor and playfulness that mirror our personalities. We also infuse mid-century modern pieces into the mix as an ode to the origins of our home.
Inspiration: The architectural elements of our home inspires us, as well as the natural environment around us. The cities we've lived in also serve as inspiration — can't forget about our Chicago roots! We regularly view fashion, architecture, shelter, and design blogs (yes, Apartment Therapy is one of our favorites) to get ideas.
Favorite Element: We love the layout of our home — how each space (indoor and outdoor) is its own little getaway. Due to the architectural elements of the home, there are multiple ways to enter each space, which makes it fun.
Biggest Challenge: We lived in a small loft in downtown LA before purchasing our home, so going from one room to multiple rooms was a bit overwhelming. In our professional lives we're taskmasters — luckily this working style spills over to our designing habits. We love to get things done quickly and with quality. But of course it wasn't easy and at times felt like a design marathon. We're happy with what we've done thus far, but there's always more to do — that's the joy of being homeowners!
What Friends Say: Most people will say, "This house is SO you guys!" which is the biggest compliment we could ever ask for.
Biggest Embarrassment: The previous owner of the house was waaay into pot… lights! On the lower and main levels, it seems like the pot-light to square foot ratio is 1:1. A very close runner-up is the tiles in the upstairs bathrooms. It's more of that natural stone look than what our style calls for, not to mention it makes the rooms look smaller. So the bathrooms are next on our list!
Proudest DIY: (Lora) I like our painted "SHHH" mural in the staircase — it was a bit tedious drawing/painting the stencil, but I love how we just decided one day "Hey let's paint something here!". It definitely gives that area a pop of color and fun. And when our little nieces visit they always know to be quiet when coming upstairs! (Frank) Surviving the removal of an old wall heater unit in the second bathroom. Mental note: if you think you're cutting into a live wire, it probably IS a live wire. My other proudest, less dangerous DIY was adding the wood feature to the fireplaces.
Biggest Indulgence: Eating In-n-Out 4X4s (Google that) to celebrate upon the close of escrow! Design-wise indulgence — chairs. From the Eames to Prouve and Magis Chair One, we love our chairs!
Best Advice: Don't force design, just go with it.
Dream Sources: Jules Seltzer, Design Within Reach, OK store, Kartell, Alessi, Heath Ceramics, CB2, HD Buttercup, Fab.com
Resources of Note:
PAINT & COLORS
- • Sherman Williams Outer Space
• Behr Heather Gray
• Behr Candy Apple Red
• Behr Royal Purple
ENTRY
- • Case Study Museum Bench: Modernica
• Succulent Fish Bowl arrangement: DIY
• George Nelson Clock: Jules Seltzer
• Prouve Chair: Jules Seltzer
• Los Angeles print: Parvez Taj
LIVING ROOM
- • Sofa: Gus Modern
• Marble Coffee Table: HD Buttercup
• Lounge Chair: Timothy Oulton
• Mirror: CB2
• Plant Pots/Stands: Modernica & Rolling Greens
• Fireplace wooden wall feature: Stikwood.com
• Pillows: Room Service
• Plants: local farmers' markets
• Succulent arrangements: DIY
• Various décor: Home Goods, CB2, OK!, Pier 1 Imports, Alpha Mail, Design Within Reach, Z Gallerie, Heath Ceramics, Chiasso
DINING ROOM
- • Dining Table: HD Buttercup
• Dining Room Chairs: Room & Board
• Lamp: Modernica
• Various décor items: Design Within Rich, Jonathan Adler, Bo Concept, David
Rasmussen Furniture Design, Z Gallerie, CB2
KITCHEN
- • Various Décor items: Design Within Reach, Fab.com, Plush Pod
STAIRWAY AREA
- • Airplants: Bird and Feather Los Angeles
• Artwork: local artist - The Legendary Guy Long
• Plant Pot/Stand: Modernica
• Chair & Side Table: Modernica
• Hanging Mobile: boutique in Paris
MASTER BEDROOM
- • Sofa: Gus Modern
• George Nelson Coffee Table: Jules Seltzer
• Camerich Bed: HD Buttercup
• Sofa Side table: Kartell
• Bed Side Tables: CB2
• Credenza: Modani
• Console: Ikea
• Wallpaper: Walnut Paper
• Window coverings: Shade Store
• Various décor items: Z Gallerie, Fab.com, local artists
LOWER DEN + OFFICE
- • Sofa: Bo Concept
• Arm Chair: HD Buttercup
• Coffee Table: Boom
• Window coverings: Shade Store
• Various décor items: Rehab Vintage Interiors, Gilt.com, OK store, Alpha Male, Ikea, Container Store
OUTDOOR (FRONT)
- • Green Plastic Chairs: OK store
• Side tables: from neighborhood tree trimmings
OUTDOOR (BACK YARD)
- • Bench: Modernica
• Plants: local nurseries - Dream Garden and Rolling Greens
• Patio Chairs: Loll
• Patio Sofa: HD Buttercup
• Chair One by Magis: Plush Pod
• Dedon +Starck dining set: Design Within Reach
Thanks, Lora and Frank!
(Images: Bethany Nauert)
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I love this house, especially the bathroom. What is the color you used?
Positively dreamy home. And the outdoors? Amazing. I really like the "OPI display" in the bathroom - functional and attractive. Where is that lovely living room rug from (white with yellow hexagons).
I think it's hard to make a modern home look warm in the way you describe above. The warmth you want comes from a cliche charming cottage scene with some 50's housewife wearing an apron and carrying a plate full of cookies or a page out of town and country with yellow dish clothes, rooster ceramics and sunflowers everywhere.
What Frank and Lora have done is remixed the spin on the modern home. It isn't sterile and gothic and resembles something out of a psycho-thriller lifetime movie, but instead is the modern day modern home that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's fun but it's also refined. It's stylish but comfortable. It's got color and texture and shape but most importantly, it's got two owners that have obviously invested a lot of time and heart into making it their own. And really... I think that's the major factor in the difference between a house and a home.
Great work guys!
Beautiful home - you have fabulous taste.
i love the nail polish - it looks so fun and adds a really great splash of colour!
@MEGRUE, not true.
"I think it's hard to make a modern home look warm in the way you describe above."
There are many modern homes that look warm and have personality. A great example is the Eames Case Study House.
http://www.archdaily.com/66302/ad-classics-eames-house-charles-and-ray-eames/warminterior/
I like this house and it looks a lot like mine (especially the kitchen) but I do think it is missing the "lived in" feel. I can't put my finger out it but I think after living in it for awhile it will look more "lived in."
The slate flooring kills it.
Where is the vanity unit from?? Gorgeous!!
Love the house, so spatious, lots of light!
"Kills it" in a good way or bad way?
Nice home but personally, I feel it lacks warmth.
The wood fireplace is one of my favorite elements! So beautiful! Great work guys!
@GERBIL I'm sure that some of the finishes were probably already there when the couple bought the house. It's just that some elements such as slate flooring and the slate surround in the bathroom don't translate to mid-century modern. I'll bet the main floor would look amazing in terrazzo flooring.
I'd love to know how you did the wood on the fireplace. It is stunning!
@CBEAR22 I saw this at Dwell On Design 2012 www.stikwood.com
Gorgeous, well-curated home, but I agree with @Lyonstill, it is definitely missing something: warmth, or maybe flaws which bring out its personality. It looks like a Dwell article, curated for photographs, but not necessarily living. Almost too perfect, maybe?
I love how fun and personal this house is! I disagree with previous comments that say it lacks warmth, but I happen to love modern design and think it is full of personality. The nail polish wall is incredible!
Awesome!
You have a beautiful home Frank and Lora!
Great place. Clean and fresh. Like a breath of fresh air.
My favorite thing is the nail polish wall.
I love the black slate floor!
stunning
i like it, and at the same time I don't like it. I like the photos, it is staged well. But I feel like it's missing character.....everything looks like they just went out and bought brand new stuff and staged it. Nothing really looks like there's a story behind it.
whoa....and what's up with that bathroom paint color???
I love this house, it's clean, welcoming and relaxing. Top marks for the total lack of clutter, knick-knacks and obscure flee market finds.
@DEZANDSETH Mylanta green, I think.
@bruintoo
Thanks for the link to Stikwood. Intriguing.
I understand that Apartment Therapy needs to keep evolving to capture new readers. But it used to be about apartment living with a focus on how to make apartment life more livable. I'm disappointed to see a trend toward articles about large expensive houses a la House Beautiful or HGTV.
Love to see the Penzey's bumper sticker(they started in my hometown), but on the microwave? Rather see it anywhere but there.
A beautiful home but I agree with those who feel it's missing something & that it looks staged. What I liked, the marble top coffee table, the nail polish wall, and that photo - wall paper with both of you? I did see so many pieces I'm still saving for ;) One day, thanks for sharing your beautiful home! And a lil more info about that photo/wall paper?
Beautiful home, but I completely agree with LSAB on wanting to see more apartments on here that cant be customized like an owned home can. Otherwise, you guys might want to think about changing the name of this site :)
The two things that stand out for me in this tour...that living room rug is gorgeous! Love it! And the nail polish display! That is such a great way to add color and to organize nail polishes. I have a bunch in a box under the bed..think I'm going to now display them ala nail shop! Cute idea!
Beautifully done. What a lovely home!
I loved the colour in this home, I guess it was the owners way of warming up the place while still keeping it modern. I agree with some of you wanting to see more apartment spaces, I always look to see if it's owned or rented before I look at the house tour. Since I'm in a rental, I always more interested in those, to see how other renters are making their space more them, as opposed to owners who can do whatever they wish.
Beautiful home, and probably filled with items on most folks wish lists. I have to agree with some of the other posters that more apartments and small homes should be featured on this site. Would like to see less huge expensive homes filled with items that most of us can probably only dream about.
Thanks everyone for your feedback & kind words! We're just happy to be able to share our home b/c we've enjoyed reading all the other House Tours on here! And just to answer some of the questions:
1. @Gipper @dezandseth - The green color of the bathroom is actually from the previous owner, so unfortunately don't have the info on that. We had this great print from LA artist Parvez that had various shades of green & matched perfectly in the space, so we just kept the paint color!
2. @ElaneB the yellow rug is from Chiasso.com
3. @sweettina the vanity unit is existing, I believe the previous owner had probably updated. Along with the flooring & most of the paint color - it's all existing from the previous owner.
4. @cbear22 that's one of our proudest DIY - the fireplaces! yup its Stikwood.com which we did discover at Dwell on Design 2012. It was easy & reasonably priced! They have all the info on their site & how to order.
5. @eIris The photo of my hubby & I on the wall - that's actually decor we used for our wedding a few years ago! We just went to a print/banner shop, enlarged one of our photos onto a matte board. We've had to slice it in half to fit this space. Previously in our loft we rented, we had a large wall that was the perfect space for it, but hopefully now we won't have to move it ever again! (well unless we get tired of it of course) ;)
Hope that helps - Cheers!
@LADYLO I completely understand the difficulty of personalizing the space that have been updated by previous owners. Some things one can live with for a while, like the floors, especially if its been updated only recently for selling. But maybe later down the road, you guys can rip it out and replace with something more appropriate to style of the house.
Hi Lora and Frank, where is your yellow rug from in the living room? I love it.
@BruinToo thanks for the suggestion! Terrazzo would be amazing :)
@Ju the rug is from Chiasso.com !
I completely agree with @LSAB!
No offense, this is a truly beautiful home, but I just miss the days when AT was about practical, personal and realistic homes. If I want to be impressed by what money can buy, I can just get a copy of Dwell or Elle Decor....
Love the red/navy rugby stripe socks! Thomas PINK? :)
i love your use of stikwood! i'm just about to buy some and i'm wondering which woods you went with? are they all the same?
@brooke.slabic Thanks! the Stikwood worked out great! Just a note make sure you do leave a tiny bit of space for the wood to expand b/c we had lined up some of the boards flush tight together and with the hot weather and then cold weather, we had some boards bubble out. But we were able to fix that. I believe we used "Morning Mist" - they have a variety of finishes to choose from that are all different, you can go to their website to see! Hope that helps!