Reader's home - Tom's Hollywood haven
Wed, 7 Sep 2011There once was a boy named Tom. Tom was a naughty boy. Tom did not play nice with others. Tom would visit a certain blog and every now and again leave really mean comments. One day one of the girls from that blog told him he should shut his big mouth and show her what he's made of. Finally, Tom did just that, and sent photos of his home to share. As much as the girl wanted to be mean right back and rip him a new one (perhaps poke fun at the tables with 2 lamps on either side of his sofa, or the tables piled with wood in his dining room), alas she could not once she saw these photos. Because she loved his home. Very very much. She forgave Tom right then and there. She found out Tom wasn't as mean as he seemed, and Tom promised to behave from then on. THE END.
My apartment is in a historical building on Hollywood Blvd across from the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
"The Hollywood Professional Building, is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture. Completed in 1925, the building housed the headquarters of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, and was later home to the Screen Actor's Guild. From its inception, these offices served industry stars, the seminal architect John Lautner and earned its listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it reigns at the center of a new Hollywood heyday, this time as modern open spaces in which to live or work (or both), only two blocks from the Metro line, in one of the coolest and most dynamic neighborhoods in LA."
I took the photograph that is in my entry on Hollywood Blvd last year.
My living room was Ronald Reagan's office when he was the president of the Screen Actors Guild.
You will notice a lot of the same sculptures moved around to various tables, it's a work in progress. I mostly shop at flea markets, I'm constantly switching stuff out as I find it.
I made the hanging glass mobile out of an old chandelier and added the textured panel to the wall. The sculpture is constantly spinning.
Views from my apartment:
Reader Comments (49)
I know the guy who was the first tenant in this same unit. The landlord CIM put giant sticky billboards on all his exterior windows. He could not see out! It was really sad. It was beautiful there so I hope they don't run you off in the same way.
That is funny, I was going to post yesterday about 'where was Tom.' I think he can give whatever advice he likes cos he's got style plus.
I really like all the natural light in the place and how Tom has left most of his windows bare. Somehow I feel like it makes the place look more modern and I'd show off that view as well
I miss the old Tom! Ascerbic, blunt but so often right. Nice pad you've got there Tom. From a fellow plant enthusiast.
this is brilliant. i know this building well and am just in awe of the way tom's made it feel like a graceful, witty, welcoming home. it's nice to see the best of hollywood -- and the views of our fabulous city -- presented so beautifully. note to self: tomorrow + farmers' market = dracena!
INSPIRING!! You have a gifted eye not only for beauty and sculpture, but for spacial planning. I love this look and like to imagine myself living like you do, alas, I have to much stuff I love and in spite of continuous editing I lack the discipline for minimalism.
"Now, that's very very nice. A bit of a showroom feel, but which photo session doesn't cause that? You might want to try and mess things up a bit, photos would still be great, just different."
Dito.
The place is great but the photos show just too much effort. I like wood but this is just almost wood ravishing. Without half of the decoration it would look much nicer. Because, less is more even with decoration. I like bedroom, sleek and light. Those wooden panels in living room, yes I know it is history, are ugly. How practical is this plant at the dining table for conversation , it looks kind of a disturbing. The place looks so much like "I wanna be original" but didn't recognaze the balance in that.
Greetings from Europe
A really beautiful surprise! And I love your comments on the feedback Tom, in a way they inspire me more than your home (witch is stunning by the way). Not every one has your instinct for interior design even if they have taste and to have an insight to how you move things around or replace them is very reassuring... there is still hope for me, even if I have to contend with another half two young children and a cat. Yes you have guessed my home is far from ready to appear on a "reader's home" feature.
Although it is not the style I would use for my home- it is wonderful! Love those black frames around the windows and covering parts of the wall, the wood stored in the side cabinets, the dark wood that makes everything very elegant. Love the pictures of the view- especially the one in black and white!
Wow, you have a great eye for decoration! Two questions if I may: what are the 3 black things above the 3 windows? And whose the author of the 3D mirror artwork above your white sofa? Thanks and have fun with this creative work in progress.
The photograph is awesome. Do you sell them?
Thanks for the comments :)
jja I'm sorry that I wasn't able to capture what you consider beautiful in my images of my apartment.
I shot the photos myself and I don't have a wide angle lens so maybe if you saw the place in person you would see it in a different perspective.
I used a lot of rustic wood & plants to contrast the city below my apartment.
I have a view of the green Hollywood Hills which appears kind of surreal from some of the windows, I wanted to bring some of that green from the hills into my apartment.
I know the wood is dark in my living room and might scare some off but it has a glow to it in person that would probably make you smile and forget how dark it is.
If you saw the "Reagan room" at night with all the lights dimmed low and Hollywood Blvd sparkling through the window your opinion might be swayed into thinking it's acceptable design.
This apartment has 28 recessed ceiling lights all on dimmers, I think this place looks much better at night.
I was not able to capture the view and interior together in these photos so to me you're not seeing the true space as it appears in person.
I designed my apartment around the view, I used minimal amounts of art because to me the art is right outside my windows.
You can see the Hollywood sign while sitting at the dining room table, I didn't capture it in my pics :(
jja there are two large metal carts in my dining room either one can hold the plant which is on the dining table perfectly when guests are visiting.
I noticed a few comments about needing to edit the space, these photos were not all taken on the same day so it appears that there are more groupings around than there actually are.
Thanks again for the comments.
Rahel the sculpture above my sofa is by Curtis Jere it's a vintage piece.
The black things above the window are original curved wood panelling from when the building was built.
The "black" wood is actually dark brown but appears black in the photos.
LuLu1212 thanks and yes I sell them, the photo in my entry is the only one I printed.
LOVE IT! ANY SPIRITS LURKING AROUND?????
Thanks Tom.
Found a nice spot in my apartment for one already.
Dear Tom,
I still don't like the place. Even your comment has the same influence as your place, just trying too hard.
"I used minimal amounts of art "
I don't think this is minimal, typical scandinavian design is minimal ;-).
"I was not able to capture the view and interior together in these photos so to me you're not seeing the true space as it appears in person."
This is almost always the case but it didn't prevent you earlier from giving hard comments onto homes of other people, now you want credis for the same things you enever gave credis too others...
jja sounds like it's time to show how you live.
I think everyone on this site appreciates Scandinavian design, show us how you do it.
Did I mention I was trying to go with a Scandinavian design, I didn't think so.
It's fun how you're trying to steal my reputation as an asshole, you're doing pretty well.
jja one more thing really fast:
"This is almost always the case but it didn't prevent you earlier from giving hard comments onto homes of other people, now you want credis for the same things you enever gave credis too others..."
I have pointed out plenty of good design on this site, maybe you don't like those comments and only choose to remember my negative comments.
If I felt everything on this site was bad design do you really think I would take the time to look at all of the posts and then allow my apartment to be posted here.
jja, snap some pics of your home and share your style with us, I'm sure some will "love love love it" and others will not.
If you want to play the game you must play fair or it's kind of hard to take you seriously.
Everyone has a camera, now go take some pics!
Tom is back - finally haha
Fantastic building and a very pleasing effect overall, but somewhat too proper and staged. If it wasn't for MCM... hey, and Modernica loves you too! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Modernica/127004119588
Keep posting Tom, as most of the time your comments match my thoughts so well, that without even lifting a finger, I can read all the responses, as they were addressed to me ;).
Cheers
Thanks for letting me know about the Modernica link, that's pretty cool.
My apartment and an empty unit in the building were recently used in the videos below to promote the building,.
1. http://www.youtube.com/ApartmentVideosLA
2. http://www.youtube.com/ApartmentVideosLA#p/u/0/49PBeXLnzN0
Dear Tom,
"If you want to play the game you must play fair or it's kind of hard to take you seriously."
I don't need you to take me seriously;- ). And you don't decide here about the rules of the game. And that is the good news. Besides that one negative comment in all this years doesnt't qualify me as an asshole. :-)
Have a nice day and greetings from Europe!
Thanks jja :)
You're right.
Greetings from Hollywood.
Tom, your apartment is amazing. I live in NYC and would die for an apartment styled like yours!
Gorgeous.