Forma :: Santa Monica's Newest Italian Restaurant and Cheese Bar

Forma :: Photography by Wonho Frank Lee

Forma, the product of chef Piero Topputo, GM Mario Sabatini and Robert Donnell, is a contemporary Italian restaurant and cheese bar on Santa Monica's ritzy Montana Avenue strip. The space features an airy modern take on the Italian trattoria, with a sleek L-shaped marble bar. The menu highlights California ingredients into Italian fare - from grilled octopus with lentils to fresh tagliolini past with heirloom mushrooms. The cheese features risottos and special pastas that are finished inside a wheel of cheese. Here's a peek inside.

Inman Nominates deasy/penner&partners for 2015's Most Innovative Real Estate Company

Each year, Inman scans the universe of real estate companies, technology firms, individual innovators, successful agents, forward-thinking brokers, risk-takers and entrepreneurs. For this year’s candidates for the Inman Innovator awards, they chose 66 companies and individuals in six categories who are trying to change the industry.

The final winners will be announced at the Inman Connect conference at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square on Thursday, August 6 at 5 p.m.

The categories are:

• Most innovative real estate company
• Most innovative technology company
• Most innovative technology
• Most innovative marketing strategy, service or technology
• Most innovative agent/broker
• Most innovative association or MLS

To see the full list of categories and candidates, visit Inman. 

1930's Laurel Canyon :: Theadora Van Runkle Estate

Hidden up a long gated drive lies this enchanted creative sanctuary, situated on nearly half an acre. Past the garden gate, you are transported to another time. “Pebble Court” was the home and studio of ageless artist in residence Theadora Van Runkle. Best known as an award winning costume designer, Theadora created the iconic wardrobes for Bonnie and Clyde, The Godfather II, Myra Breckinridge and countless other notable films. She was an intensely and innately gifted painter, with the soul of an artist. Her home was her life long passion, her haven and her inspiration.

Enter through rows of rose covered arches and you are transported to Laurel Canyon circa 1967 - The Summer of Love. Joni, Morrison, Zappa and Lennon - They were all here and their imprint is palpable. The home was a gathering place for luminaries of art, literature and music. The spirit of every artist that ever passed through remains.

In the garden - Vintage statuary, oversized grecian urns, sculpted free standing pillars with griffins keeping watch. Full sized wooden cherubs lounge on chairs, acting as sentinels to greet friends. 

The main house, a 1930’s cottage is as if dipped in white - ethereal and eternal. Chandeliers, floating prisms of light, dangle from rafters like sparkling kaleidoscopes. Artists studio resides at the bottom of a 30 foot barrel wine cask. Separate whitewashed casita was a gathering place for weekly salons and portraiture sketching, attended by like minded artists and forward thinkers. 

Incapable of description, this home is an homage to the essence of the artist who resided here and a true reflection of her eternal spirit.

As Theadora said “This home is my greatest work of art…..”Offered for the first time and only time in a lifetime.

Van Runkle Estate, Laurel Canyon

for sale- $1,880,500
contact us to request a showing :: 310.275.1000

Presented by Margot Tempereau and Tori Horowitz :: deasy/penner&partners

Redwood & Glass Sanctuary in Rustic Canyon

Mature trees and luscious plantings coddle this modernized, redwood & glass house which is flooded with light streaming through multiple windows and cathedral ceilings in Rustic Canyon. The house has a loft like feeling with its open floor plan, which includes the modern kitchen, living room, dining area and outdoor courtyard seamlessly offering one great living space. The second floor encompasses the luxurious master suite which looks out onto the living room, trees and private deck overlooking the grounds. The second bedroom suite, on the main level, can be comfortably used as a family members room, guest room or office. A separate art studio/office space across the courtyard from the main house is attached to the garage. While on the property from every direction, inside and out, the house continues to uplift and surprise with picturesque vignettes.

520 Latimer Road, Santa Monica

for sale- $3,500,000
contact us to request a showing :: 310.275.1000

Presented by Frank Langen :: deasy/penner&partners

Bold Architectural in the Santa Monica Canyon by Melinda Gray, AIA and Rob Hussey

Bold, dramatic, and exciting best describe this cutting edge architectural in the Santa Monica Canyon. The open loft environment creates a seamless indoor outdoor flow to the gardens and pool flooded in natural light and breezes from the Pacific Ocean. The house offers a luxurious 5 star hotel like master suite with views, a state of the art kitchen open to the family, dining and living room. The second and third floors provide additional bedrooms, plus a grand office perched above, overlooking it all. Wonderful use of steel beams, ten foot floating glass doors framed in mahogany, walnut flooring, polished concrete and venetian plaster walls interacting to soften the space. A sexy, steel framed, glass bottom bridge connects the front to the rear of the house. The product is a collaborative design by Melinda Gray, AIA and Rob Hussey creating a tour de force with unusual attention to all the details. Included is an attached three car garage.

700 Kingman Avenue, Santa Monica Canyon

for sale- $6,995,000
contact us to request a showing :: 310.275.1000

Presented by Frank Langen :: deasy/penner&partners

Cassia :: Santa Monica's Newest Asian Fusion Dining Destination

Situated inside a historic Art Deco building from the 1930's, Bryant and Kim Ng have partnered with Rustic Canyon's Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan to launch Cassia. This new spot features a raw bar stocking fresh shellfish to Vietnamese "sunbathing" praws, standard bistro seating in the middle area, and drinks by Kenny Arbuckle at the bar. Montalba Architects is credited with designing the interior of the restaurant. Here's a peek inside.

The Hees House :: Richard Neutra, 1950

Sited on a bluff above and running along the Pacific, the remodeled Hees House entitles its owner to seaside living in a quintessential mid-century context. The gated garden entry creates its own sense of mystery which transforms into the surprise of ocean and island views enveloping the interior. The expansive glass walls parallel the ocean and slide across the terrazzo floors opening the public rooms to the broad terrace, grass and gardens. The architect's signature hearth separates the great room from the dining room. Newer kitchen pivots around the dining island. Master suite has its own terrace and bath. Guest bedroom and bath. Guest house with kitchenette, living room, bedroom and two baths. Special home, special site, special and convenient location.

250 Trino Way, Pacific Palisades

for sale - $5,495,000
contact us to request a showing :: 310.275.1000

Presented by Mike Deasy, Sara Clephane and Isabelle Mizrahi from BHHS

An Inside Look At This Hsu-McCullough Renovated Spanish Colonial Bungalow

Houzz TV takes a tour inside one of our listings, the renovated home of designers Chris McCullough and Peggy Hsu in Mar Vista, CA.

deasy/penner&partners Sponsors Rustic Night Saturday, June 6th, 2015

Catch & Release :: A Jason Neroni Seafood Eatery in Marina Del Rey

Catch & Release :: Photography by Wonho Frank Lee

Just steps from the Pacific Ocean, Catch & Release expects to be Marina Del Rey's best seafood option this spring. Led by Chef Jason Neroni, this eatery touts a massive raw bar with seasonal oysters, bread and butter mignoette, uni carbonara with bacons, and much more. Here's a look inside.

Dwell Home Tours 2015

West Side Home Tour :: Dawnsknoll :: Minarc

This year, Dwell presents three days of Dwell Home Tours in LA, showcasing five homes on each tour. Choose from the West Side - on Saturday, May 23; the South Bay - on Saturday, May 30; and Midtown & East Side - on Sunday, May 31. Here’s a sneak peak. 

West Side Home Tour :: Alan Voo House :: Neil M. Denari Architects

West Side Home Tour :: Berman Residence :: Renzo Zecchetto Architects

Hinterland :: A Coastal Cuisine Restaurant in Santa Monica

Hinterland :: Photography by Elizabeth Daniels

Led by New York restaurateurs Matthew Hechter and Chris Brandon, along with local partner Arsen Vaszquez and minority owner Joe Jonas (former band member of the pop-rock band the Jonas Brothers), this New American eatery on Main Street Santa Monica features an elegant and minimal interior design. In the kitchen, Chef Maximilian DiMare and team created an approachable menu inspired by Charleston and Savannah cuisine. Here's your first look inside.

Beach Cottage Transformed

An American classic lies behind the privacy hedge and white picket fence: A truly unique compound newly reinterpreted by Roy McMakin, American sculptor, designer and craftsman of furniture. Double doors lead to the great room with stone hearth, white oak floors and clerestory skylight. Finely lacquered cabinetry with Amish touches define the kitchen with 2 sinks, bluestone & butcherblock counters. A Dutch door opens to the side garden and after-beach shower. The master suite encompasses more McMakin furnishings, master bath and two closets. Adjacent den/study, convertible to bedroom, leads to the rear garden where an ancient sycamore overhangs and protects an outdoor dining room, fountain and fire pit all paved in old brick. The companion structure houses a large studio or media room with fireplace, bar, bedroom, bath and laundry with room for a gym. Hot tub and barbecue included. All very private, green and quiet.

338 East Rustic Road, Santa Monica

for sale - $2,749,000
contact us to request a showing :: 310.275.1000

Presented by Mike Deasy and Isabelle Mizrahi

Ruben S. Ojeda, Architects :: Studio by Koning Eizenberg Architecture

This home and studio for two visual artists is located on one of Santa Monica’s most desirable streets North of Wilshire, a short walk to the boutiques and restaurants that make Montana Avenue the city’s premiere shopping neighborhood. Architect Ruben Ojeda has transformed the original 1920’s bungalow, adding a second story and raising the ceiling to 22 feet, a few simple moves that subtly reference the original design yet give the resulting composition its own distinctly Modern flair. Hexagonal floor tile and ceramic pedestal sinks maintain a historical context, while the exposed structure, white walls and stainless steel appliances move the home into the present. Tall doors, transom windows and numerous skylights flood the interior with natural light, and hardwood floors lend warmth throughout. A large outdoor sleeping porch and various private patios connect the interior of the home to the drought-tolerant native landscape outside. A separate 2-story art studio by Koning Eizenberg Architecture has multiple uses: home office, guest house, working shop. 

3 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath, 2,401 square foot main house plus 1,200 square foot studio.

906 Princeton Street, Santa Monica

for sale - $2,495,000
contact us to request a showing :: 310.275.1000

Presented by Brian Linder and Scott King :: deasy/penner&partners

Tour Through Apple's Most Innovative Stores Around the World

IFC Mall :: Shanghai, China

This week, we take a look at Apple's signature minimalist store designs from around the globe. 

1415 Third Street Promenade :: Santa Monica, CA

Passeig de Gràcia :: Barcelona, Spain

Venice Art Crawl :: Exhibition at the deasy/penner&venice pod

This Thursday :: March 19TH 6-10PM :: 308 Westminster Avenue, Venice, CA

Featuring The Work Of Zach Touchon

The work is influenced by advertising, particularly billboards in third world countries with heavily distressed surfaces. A history is created by adding layer after layer of paint and found materials. The goal of the work is to find a balance between chaos and control culminating in a sense of calm and integrity.

The work strives to cross boundaries and merge ideas creating something new and unique without losing sight of the school of thought that influenced the work. There is an undertone of child-like innocence with a fine-tuned maturity in the well thought out finished work.

The work is process driven, there is a kind of magic that happens when the composition reveals its self naturally through the process. Depth is created through the use of contrasting colors and shading, inviting the viewer to gaze into some other dimension. An intimate experience happens between the work and the viewer. Movement is created through the use of stacking and repeating shapes on top of each other. The composition appears to be suspended, making the viewer feel as though they could stick there hand right through the surface.

VeniceArtCrawl.com

ZachTouchonArt.blogspot.com

My Angeleno Vacation Rental As Art

1952 Vintage Rooftop Trailer :: Arts District

As spring rolls in and summer fast approaching, this week we take a look at some unique takes on Angeleno vacation rentals.

Dreamy Boat House :: Marina Del Rey/Venice

aestus :: A Mid-Century Modern Dining Room in Santa Monica

Aestus :: Photography by Elizabeth Daniels

Aestus, led by executive chef Alex Agenau, formerly of Patina and The Royce at Pasadena’s Langham Hotel, had its grand opening last month at the base of the Arezzo residential building. Designed by MASS Architecture, the decor is mid-century modern and features a spacious main dinning room. Here’s a look inside. 

The Coconut House :: Lee + Mundwiler Architects

Centrally located on the West Side, five minutes from the Marina and mid-way between Venice and Playa Vista, the familiar housing typology references a traditional “home”. However, by subtracting volumes from the building mass, light, air, and nature penetrate deeply into the living space. These subtractions spatially extend the home beyond its moderate volume, blurring the boundary of the narrow lot while shielding it from exposure to the neighbors and the busy street. The skylight and louvered courtyard bathe the interior in the changing light and shadow of the day, while wrapping the home in a sense of privacy. The façade of dark fiber panels with natural wood veneer emulates the tough shell of a coconut, which physically and psychologically plays a role of security. This maintenance-free façade also eliminates the use of petroleum products for many years. Winner of the 2006 AIA National Housing Award, featured on AIA, Sunset Magazine and Modern Home tours and published widely (Architectural Record, Los Angeles Times). 

2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, 1,800 Square Feet. 

12918 Short Avenue, Marina Del Rey

for sale - $1,650,000
contact us to request a showing :: 310.275.1000

Presented by Brian Linder and Scott King :: deasy/penner&partners