House Tour: Seonna’s Hillside Modern
Name: Seonna Hong
Location: Mt. Washington
Size: 926 sq. feet
Years lived in: A little over a year
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Finding Seonna’s hillside Mt. Washington home was an adventure in itself, with more twists and turns than a spy thriller novel. Clinging to a dramatic hillside, the post and beam residence expresses its pedigree with a variety of original midcentury architectural details, all complimenting its most impressive feature: an expansive hillside view of Pasadena and the Angeles Forest. The home is comfortably decorated with both modern and vintage pieces, warmly accentuated by the obvious presence of Seonna’s daughter’s playthings and artwork (we love her doorway sign to please “nock” before entering). Additional art from various artist friends give each wall not only visual interest, but colourfully highlight the home and our hostesses’ friendly character..
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AT Survey:
My/Our style: Modern toy box
Inspiration: Art and my daughter
Favorite Element: I fell in love with the view.
Biggest Challenge: There is very little storage (except in my large creepy basement).
What Friends Say: They want to live in my daughter’s room.
Biggest Embarrassment: My clothes storage challenges belie my penchant for clothing and retail therapy more than the afore mentioned issues of physical space.
Proudest DIY: This isn’t as much a project per se, but my proudest DIY moment was when I got my first power drill.
Biggest Indulgence: My home is on a hillside and the stairs to the backyard and the backyard itself are a little precarious. My daughter loves playing down there and so I put in a fence so she wouldn’t tumble down the hill. While it absolutely serves it’s purpose, it is also reaaaaaally pretty and it impacted my choice (and the pocketbook). This is also how I go grocery shopping btw.
Best advice: To work within my means.
Dream source: Mr. Pink in NYC: Sadly they’ve closed but they had the most amazing collection of vintage housewares and small furniture. Tinlark gallery in L.A.: Cris McCall has an amazing eye and I have collected many of the treasures in my home from her gallery.
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Resources:
Appliances: The kitchen was already done when I moved in. All I added was the stainless penny round backsplash.
Furniture: Rose Bowl Swap Meet, DWR, the super-amazing-crazy-deal-gettin’ Modernica sales, Modern Seed, IKEA…
Appliances: I’m lucky. A lot of the original appliances, lighting, and hardware were in my home when I moved in.
Accessories: Mr. Pink, my talented friends, my daughter’s school projects
Lighting: Mr. Pink, DWR…
Rugs and Carpets: Anthropologie, IKEA
Beds: Modernica, IKEA
Artwork: Tinlark, my friends and my daughter.
Paint: Classic Color in South Pasadena. They carry low VOC paints and their knowledgeable and friendly staff can custom mix colors.
Flooring: The bamboo flooring was in when I moved in!
(Thanks, Seonna!)
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