In a neighborhood dominated by 1920s Spanish bungalows and 1930s traditional ranches, this early midcentury modern in Valley Village really stands out.
Located three blocks west of Laurel Canyon Boulevard at 12360 La Maida Street, the redwood-sided residence calls to mind the work of Gregory Ain. In actuality, it was designed and built in 1948 by its original owner, Harry A. Kornberg, a supervisor for the Pacific Construction Finance Co. Founded in 1920, this Hollywood-based firm provided home design, construction, and finance services for more than four decades.
The Kornberg family owned the home until 2014, when it was purchased by designer Thomas Hayes, who collaborated with Anthony Giovanni Design on a renovation. Low-key and unassuming from the street, the overhauled house saves its drama for the interior stage.
On the other side of a fluted-glass entry awaits an impressive open-plan living room with lofty ceilings, a brick fireplace, and dark cherrywood walls, which provide high contrast to the blonde oak floors. In keeping with the midcentury modern principle of merging indoors and out, vast expanses of glass line the wall looking out to the property’s leafy backyard.
A sizable island acts as a room divider between the living and dining area and the kitchen, which has been outfitted with walnut cabinetry, Caesarstone countertops, and an array of designer light fixtures.
Also on the home’s main level are two bedrooms, two updated bathrooms, and an office. Features include built-in furniture, clerestory windows that swivel open vertically, and designer fixtures and cabinetry.
More drama unfolds in the basement, which has been converted into a handsome guest studio or office, complete with Murphy bed, wood-paneled walls, and a walk-in closet with built-in vanity.
On a 9,374-square-foot lot with a detached two-car garage and drought-tolerant landscaping, the property is listed with Benjamin Kahle of Deasy Penner Podley for an asking price of $1.249 million. Open houses are scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Comments
Not the best area of Valley Village, and not much to look at from the exterior, but the interior is very interesting(…ly staged LOL).
It’s a lot of house for the money in Valley Village. It will sell for significantly more.
By BingoWest on 03.02.20 5:23pm
As much as I like what they did to update this house, I’d really like to see what it actually looked like originally. I really like the unusually dark cherry wood contrasted with the oak floors. Is that original?
Like Bingo said, it’s a lot of house for the money and there’s a lot of 2020 in that MCM. A pool where the patio is with a garage-top deck would be the only changes I would make. Nice!
By mrjim1 on 03.02.20 6:49pm
That light fixture over the vanity is terrifying.
By TheMarketSoftener on 03.03.20 9:29am
Attack of the giant spider lamp
By mrjim1 on 03.03.20 9:55am
LOL. I believe it’s a 3-arm wall mounted fixture attached to the wall behind the mirror. The mirror causes an optical illusion that it’s a chandelier.
Either way…it is a bit frightening.
By BingoWest on 03.03.20 9:56am
That vanity is terrifying. You’d have to reach to the back of the counter to reach that tiny sink.
By ArchiSavant on 03.05.20 7:00am
The dark wood paneling is really nice. The flooring is atrocious in the living and kitchen.
Love that basement!
By Cleavon Little on 03.03.20 10:44am
this house is well on its way to being great. just needs a bump in some areas.
By LAoneWay on 03.03.20 12:16pm
Those goofy light fixtures were dated before they finished installing them.
By Southlandish on 03.03.20 12:17pm
The bathroom has been updated? It looks like that it needs to be updated more. Look at that sink. And what is up with the lighting fixture in the bathroom? Looks so weird. I do love the basement. But I don’t like the kitchen floor. The house is okay. But it needs a few minor adjustments.
By Topaz113 on 03.03.20 7:49pm
"…needs to be updated more."
Awesome.
By LosFeliz$ean on 03.03.20 10:05pm
I saw this house today, and it was disappointing. It’s musty and feels old and unfinished.
By soundsgood on 03.03.20 11:49pm
That doesn’t surprise me, a lot of these houses featured here look like they smell like an attic on a hot summer day or stale cigarette smoke
By mrjim1 on 03.04.20 2:12am
Not surprising. The condition of the home’s exterior and landscaping was a good indicator of deferred maintenance…and it helps explain the relatively low asking price for a home on a large lot in Valley Village.
By BingoWest on 03.04.20 6:05am
Lacking actually seeing the house in person, this reno & restoration was EXTREMELY well done and the true spirit of the early MCM design of the house was kept, BEAUTIFULLY. The light fixtures in the kitchen are fantastic and in perfect keeping with the house. The "Daddy Long Legs" fixture in the bathroom needs to be replaced for sure though. Overall, it’s a VERY sharp house (love the murphy bed!) that looks to be eminently move-in ready and very chic.
By Architecture Afficianado on 03.04.20 4:27pm