Design Dilemma ~ Wet Bar {or something}

OK my beautiful genius designer friends....I need your help! 

What would you do with a weird space next to a fireplace with an upper cabinet and an empty space where there used to be a wet bar?

 

 

 

 

The prior owner removed the wet bar/cabinet from the lower half of this awkward space and installed a glass shelf (I use the word installed lightly...the shelf is resting on some unfinished wood nailed to the wall).

 

 

 

Obviously the glass shelf debaucle is history, but what to do now?

 

I had hoped to put a bookcase on this wall to the right of the awkward former wet bar (below) but I don't want it to be too busy in that corner.

 

 

To refresh your memory of the space, below is a shot of that side of the living room with the former owner's furniture.

Entirely TOO much going on there for my taste.

 

 

 

Being a symmetrical gal, I would prefer to even up the look on both sides of the fireplace.  I can't think of a way to acheive that without busting the budget so I think that will have to wait. 

 

 

So in the meantime, here are the options I've come up with....and I'm hoping you all will have some better ideas!

 

 

1.  Have a proper cabinet installed in lower half of awkward space.

 

2.  Put in a wet bar and use as was intended (not likely to happen).

 

3.  Drywall over the whole thing and move on (this is the leader in the clubhouse at the moment).

 

 

What would you do?

 

 

Entertaining all possible solutions.  Would love to hear your ideas!

 

 

Hope you're having a good week so far!

 

xo

 

~ Karen ~

City Living

City living = small {tiny} spaces

 

 

 

 

 

{Caitlin Fleming - Sacramento Street}

 

 

 

{Jordan Ferney - Oh Happy Day 500 sq feet}

 

 

{Domnino Spring 2013}

 

 

With style and creativity, these designers make living in tiny quarters look easy.  
Desirable even.

#livingwithless

 

 

 

Hope you're having an awesome day.

 

xo

~Karen~





 

Groovy Hollywood Hills Pad

Despite all the wonderful prayers and good wishes from everyone, alas the 1929 West Hollywood Spanish condo was not meant to be.  The owner got a little greedy with all those offers flying.  Whatever. There are more fish in the sea.

 

I'm now honing in on this charming 1960s co-op in a sweet neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills called Beachwood Canyon.

(took this the other day standing in the middle of the street on a very cloudy day...kinda cool looking)


Nice views all around....this is out the kitchen window...




Parts of this tiny gem have not been touched since being built in 1961.  Such as this relic from the Jetson's space age era... 

 

 

 

 

I would almost feel bad ripping out this groovy tile...almost.

 

 

More grooviness in the bathroom...

 

 

Obviously this would all go buh-bye, but then what?

 

I am not a country kitchen person, nor a lover of modern and sleek. I guess I prefer something classic, not trendy.

 

So I ask you this...

What style do I replace the 1960s with?

How important is it to honor the era of the building?

 

Thanks in advance for your opinions and advice!

 

#keepongroovin

 

xo

~Karen~

 

 

Knock Knock

Who's there?

 

 

Me!  I'm here and I want to live here so please pick me!  I just love this little peek-a-boo in the front door!

 

I'm one of a bajillion people offering on this tiny 1929 Spanish style condo in West Hollywood.  Pray for me.

 

Here's what else I love about this home:

 

Actual foyer...tiny but a real foyer.

 (MLS photo)

 

 

Beautiful old hardwood floors in great shape.

 

 

 

Cabinet lighting - under the cabinets and above the cabinets.

 

 

 

Ten foot coved ceilings.

 

 

 

 

Extra large windows that even on this gray day are light & bright and look out at this courtyard.

 

 

 

 

Kitchen updated nicely in the style of the home (with no granite...houzzah!).

 

 

And naturally, the service entrance...yes, yes, through this door my servants will come and go.

 

 

 

Bathroom window

Courtyard fountain

 

 

Outside entry

 

(MLS Photo)

 

 

And finally, this is the street.  I took this photo the other day when the sun was shining, standing in the middle of the street.  I could be motivated to walk more with this view.

(all photos via my iphone unless otherwise noted)

 

If you are the praying sort, all prayers will be appreciated.  In this crazy real estate market, I will definitely need some divine intervention. 

As with all things, it's in your hands Lord.

 

xo

~Karen~

 



Room With a View

I could get used to the view on this old street in Hollywood.  I really love old streets...they have so much charm and history.
 

 (all photos via my iphone unless otherwise noted)

And how beautiful is this old door?  Great looking patina and deco numbers.

 

 

 

I love the placement of the numbers, and the lock, peephole & doorknob hardware are all antique brass...original to this 1962 Hollywood condo.  So pretty. 

 

 

And when was the last time you saw a detail like mosaic tile in an entry?  Is it supposed to be Lake Hollywood (aka the Hollywood reservoir)? 
 

 

 

Old Hollywood has some real gems.  This particular gem however was all in the packaging...great on the outside but meh on the inside.  Sorry but I need SOME kind of a view (and by 'view' I mean something other than the building next door or a block wall).  This may be a stretch since I don't have a million dollar budget, but I am holding out for a decent view. 

In this view of Hollywood you can see the Capitol Records Building on Vine, the Knickerbocker Hotel sign and other parts of the city. 
That's a decent view.

I am even willing to sacrafice things like updated kitchens and bathrooms for a nice view...that's how important it is to me. 
In this view, you can see the roof of the building next door but over that is a very pleasant view of the Hollywood Hills. 
I would take this view in a New York Hollywood minute.

Where does a good view rank on your list of must haves?  What are you willing to sacrafice for a view?

Thanks for stopping by!

~Karen~
xo