Houzz TV: In Love With Echo Park Style
For David Greening, it was love at first sight when he saw the unique oval arch and view of the downtown skyline from this one-bedroom apartment in Angelino Heights. As the oldest surviving suburb of Victorian-era Los Angeles, Angelino Heights is a hidden pocket of Victorian mansions, Craftsman bungalows and Spanish revival buildings. It is the city’s first historic preservation zone and also part of the greater Echo Park district, one of the last east-side hipster havens to maintain its roots. The residents are a mix of families, musicians, designers, film people and even old money. This diverse cultural scene prompted Greening, a paralegal who moonlights as a musician and an entrepreneur, to migrate from the mid-Wilshire district and make Echo Park his home.
That arch or 'gate' or... I don't care what you call it. It's fabulous. No wonder he fell in love with this place.
I really like all the mementos and the way so many things reflect Greening's family relationships, memories and personal history. That's what makes a house a home.
Bella composición!!!
Bella composición!!!
Love the marantz quad amp.
That arch sold me as well!
I'll happily don a cat suit if that's what it takes for you to adopt me into that beautiful apartment. :)
LOVE the arch and built-ins. I wouldn't change a thing. Surrounded by the things that make you happy. That's what makes it home. Thanks for sharing.
I want those ray guns & the posters!!!!
Does historic preservation zone in a vintage home exclude air conditioning? In the desert climate of LA that would seem to be a problem--especially with the mass of the walls. By the way, Hi-Fi and stereo are different things. Also, the Marantz is clearly a quad system not stereo -- and there are two turntables pictured, they are not "record players". Finally, military medals when displayed have a specific order of precedence, and should be open and not closed in its box. Some veterans (Marines especially) would take mighty exception to a legitimate displayed medal hidden from view. I'd suggest a shadow box or removing them to a safe place for storage. Still, the place looks comfy, musical, literate, and creative and that is what makes this home. Enjoy.
I love this place, so original, interesting and beautiful. My two cats and I could be happy there. I wholeheartedly agree that you should buy those things you fall in love with. You'll always find a place for them.
what is the dark wood flooring from where?
I love the card catalog used as CD storage, but cannot find it at the Target web site. Is the sourcing accurate? Thanks.
The owner's statement that he fills his space with things he loves and has meaning to him says it all. Those are the best spaces. We can all appreciate someone's taste, collections and what has personal meaning to them. Love the arches dividing the living and dining room. I have never seen that design before. the fact it is original to the house is special. Love the pictures. Thanks for including a picture of the owner. It's neat to see the owner in their space and compare it to what we think when we just see the space. Thanks for sharing!
Nitpicker, perhaps you are not old enough to have lived in a period when "Hi-Fi" and "stereo" were used in concert. I am, and vividly remember my father's pride-and-joy, the first stereo hi fi system he bought which was advertised and labeled as a "hi fi stereo system" to emphasize that it delivered not only high fidelity sound, but also stereo, not the then common monophonic sound. In the article, the term is being used to describe what's IN the cabinet below, not the component system stacked on top of it. Now I'm being a little too nit picky and superior for my own taste, so I'll sign off, but not before I say I love how the apartment displays the owner's and his lovely cats' personalities.
I love the warm feeling, curated and abundant. And I remember shopping at Fedco as a kid! Such a fantastic LA feeling.
Thanks for featuring this lovely home. Unfortunately, so many of the area's bungalows are being demolished so that luxury style mcmansion small lot housing can be built in their place. More homes like this have been destroyed in the past two years then ever before. Thank you houzz for highlighting the charm of the little LA bungalow! Developers try and justify the destruction pf these homes by claiming we are in a housing crisis. We aren't. We are in an affordable housing crisis. Will LA ever learn to not destroy that which makes it beautiful? This article gives us a bit of hope.
I scrolled through, looking for the kitties.
Arches & curves: lovely!
BTW, the stereo set isn't from the 50s, more likely from the 70ties ;)
Thanks for the inspiration!
I would feel hyper too much everywhere, I'm a minimalist. But if we all like the same thing how boring this world would be. Love the curved open wall, built in hutch and killer windows. Am a cat person, saw your cats and they are cute, I'm sure they own you, mine do.
Classic styles and warm colors. I could look at it all day!
Wow this is just stunning!
Hi Curtis and Phinneus! You lucky little monkeys!
Having lived in one of these homes in LA years ago, we NEVER NEEDED AIR CONDITIONING. There was always a breeze on the hills,and we left windows open at night and closed up during the day. The place was built so well with thick walls, it rarely got hot. Smoggy, yes, but hot no.
Love the architecture and do miss the beauty and how well built these homes were. So sad to see them torn down. Other countries seem to care about history, but not LA.
They are planning to tear down historic Greystone Manor in Beverly Hills to make way for more houses. It is so much fun to go there as a park and see how old Hollywood used to live. For a while it was a film institute. Wish there were some billionaire who would like to preserve it and the grounds.
Wonderful place!
Victoran, I'm pretty sure Greystone and its surrounding recreational area, which is all owned by the City of Beverly Hills, are safe from demolition. Check out the Beverly Hills and Greystone Mansion websites. However, Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in New Jersey is/was slated for demolition; maybe this is the confusion.
I love how his treasures and the architecture of the space blend so effortlessly. You just feel the history in all those wonderful pieces. I am such a believer in surrounding yourself with things you love and he pulled it off marvelously. Great job!!!
Everything came together so perfectly here!
These homes obviously weren't built as posh housing for the affluent. Yet look at the beautiful details and unique architecture. Wish that was still the case in new structures.
This is just fantastic
This is magnificent!
Stunning!
So vibrant and original! Love it!
That's why when CD technology came out in the eighties, I embraced it completely. In addition to the new stuff, I still had my beautiful vinyl collection, two gigantic speakers (the dominating features of my living room); a huge open cabinet with my separate amp, pre-amp, tuner, turntable, and cassette player (ugh!); and a host of little tools and potions for cleaning and repairing my records. Really, though, all that equipment took up a lot of space.
I got rid of my LP collection a few years back (don't ask!), and now I own a couple of iPod Classics and a Bose Sound Dock. Pathetic, I know, but so simple.
The second I saw the arch in that first photo, I couldn't help picturing party guests, from the apartments early years, that must have perched themselves in all their finery on the "columns" supporting the ends of the arch. With such interesting architectural features as those arched windows & doors (seen through the "moon gate" arch in the first photo), the arch itself and the built-ins in the lounge, it's no wonder David fell in love with this charming apartment.
I am located in the San Gabriel Valley, which is in Los Angeles County, located Northeast of the City of LA. Years ago, I lived in LA in old Spanish architecture buildings not too far from LACMA/La Brea Tar Pits (LACMA = Los Angeles County Museum of Art), which is mid-Wilshire. They were wonderful buildings and had withstood some major earthquakes. This reminds me of those buildings. Mr. Greening has done a great job of making his home his own, while appearing to be a warm and welcoming place.
That glass table is from Target?? Also a card catalog cabinet? Are we talking about the same Target??
Love the cat teepe!
I love your place!!!! it reminds me of ME and my own eclectic design and collection in my home...wherever it may be at the time....you're my kind of decorator! love the architecture of Echo Park...would love to find the same on the East Coast...
Who knew there was a 'San Francisco' hidden in L.A. Almost enough to make me want to live in L.A.....not quite. But I have to say, the Spanish influence makes for a very relaxing home. Mrs EasternHomeBuilder and I lived in Burlingame, CA (northern Cal, south of S.F.) for a dozen years in a lovely Spanish style home (with Craftsman influences). Sadly, the style never caught on in the Northeast where the Colonial is King.
The apartment and David are cool beyond words. And funkilicious! Love love love!
I have seen many Victorian homes in the LA eastside, including Lincoln Heights, Boyle Heights, and Highland Park succumb to what I call "stuccofication."
I love David's style of decorating and how in blends his family history into his house.
This is exactly what a home should be - a total reflection of David's personality! And it's wonderful that he treasures and takes delight in the things he surrounds himself with and enjoys sharing them with others!
Yes, you right, it is fun and it is WONDERFULLY happy! Lovely home!
Wondering if Curtis and Phinneus ever knock treasures about?
Beautiful job. Captures what a home should be: comfort, fun, and family--all with an eye for beauty and design.
How you display your belongings, from collectible treasures to magnets on your frig, shows a real respect for your history, heritage, and family. Keeping powerful events alive through art and mementos is an art in itself. The home has great energy and so do you, David!
Such a rare find! A cool guy with a great eye for design and passion for his family's history. Listening to his excitement about his family treasures made me not care so much about that apartment, but the person who filled it with loving memories. The world would be a better place with more people like him. Nice job.
Great story! I too agree, your house should reflect your personality and be fun!
Be who you are. I love it. We are not cut out from cookie cutters why should our home be. Love the look of the house but more importantly your self expression.
Great job highlighting the unique characteristics of this beautiful apartment. There are all sorts of architectural gems like this in Los Angeles. I live in a 1920's Spanish four-plex, and it too is more like a house than an apartment. I also have a big arch, but no pedestals - they are fabulous! These vintage buildings have big rooms, great floor plans, unique details and a charm you just don't find in new construction. The built-ins are amazing. Nitpicker - yes, A/C is acceptable in a historic building. I have Mitsubishi ventless split units, which are wall mounted - quiet, energy efficient and installation only involved small holes, so vintage plaster was retained. As for the TV in front of the fireplace - many once operational wood or gas fireplaces in LA are no longer useable due to flue damage from earthquakes. My fireplace falls into this category. I solved it with an electric fireplace insert in the fire box which looks surprisingly real behind a screen. Many landlords have bricked up the fire boxes so that isn't even an option.
Excellent! Like your style, incredible place!
Gorgeous home, beautiful mementos!
Victoran - I lived in a 1930's duplex in Beverly Hills for 30 years, and for the last four years a half mile east in a 1920's four-plex in Carthay. Large French windows, thick plaster walls, and rooms designed to take advantage of the breeze mean the need for air conditioning is minimal. However, there are days even in LA when it's a necessity. That's even more true since global warming. Summer of 2015 was very warm on the Westside, and we didn't get the usual onshore flow that cools the area at night. Everyone I knew without A/C was miserable. February 2016 was the warmest ever recorded in Los Angeles. I had window units in the bedrooms and living room of my duplex, and have Mitsubishi splits in the four-plex and I'm glad to have it. BTW - Greystone Mansion is not being torn down. I do bemoan the fact that the BH planning department has done what I consider a poor job in maintaining the character of older neighborhoods - particularly those in the 'flats'.
Love!!
David definitely put fun into his apartment, but if I hear the word "cool" coming out of his mouth one more time.....
It's really nice when an amazing person and amazing home come together.
I own a 1920s Spanish 4-plex in LA and two duplexes of the same era in West Adams/Jefferson Park. Yes the arches, large, spacious rooms, big bathrooms, good sized kitchens vintage textured plaster, vintage sconces, large front windows. One of the duplexes has built ins. Renters love the gracious open feeling of another era. My son lives in one of the apartments, keeps an eye on things and collects the rents for me. Air conditioning is not needed in LA except maybe a few days a year--open the windows and catch the ocean breeze-- although I do have air in the 4-plex as I had to redo it after the 1994 earthquake. About the fireplaces, typically these buildings had fake fireplaces that had unvented gas heaters in them and also in all the rooms. At a certain point, in the 60s (?) the City required that they be removed and replaced with wall heaters, floor furnaces, etc. Too bad because some were very charming designs and sometimes it was awkward fitting in the newer gas heaters. My tenants sometimes put plants on the "hearth" of the fireplace.
I wish he could be my friend! We would have great times collecting similar items and discussing how to stage them. I have an old library card catalog for years that I've filed my CDs in. First time I've seen someone else do this. They are perfeect!
I'm curious though, what rent he might have to pay on such a devine find of an apartment. Even more curious how long his lease was for & security deposit--after putting so many art pieces on the wall, the landlord would freak out from nail holes! P.S. LONG LIVE VINYL!
I can't stand to have a lot of stuff, but I love visiting people who do have a lot of stuff, when the stuff is super cool. I'd love to visit David Greening - for at least a week!
I totally enjoyed your home ! the way you cherish your family's past and where you came from and included that i your home that 's what makes you who you are your home is awesome and your cat is awesome your look totally happy! :)
Homes have lost so much architectural character over the last 50 years. Bland homes are now the norm, stripped of the amazing detail that was once so apart of their heart-beat. As an interior designer I always look for ways to incorporate these trademarks back into every home I work on. I look for the day when more attention is paid to these hallmark details.
WOW you look like your uncle! and your home is eclecticly wonderful.
I LOVE this. I think one of the things I love about it is that it isn't modernized. Meaning they haven't redone things. I love the kitchen, especially the tile on the counters. I love the floors, the original wood floors, everything has so much character and interest.
Simply Beautiful.. Spectacular design concept for mixed use space. Love how the architecture plays so well with the design.