Mid-century modern structures are as much a part of Los Angeles’ cultural fabric as palm-lined boulevards and the Hollywood sign. Architectural models of excellence like the Eames House in the Pacific Palisades from 1949, and other homes from the Case Study House Program are representative of this. But it’s Pierre Koenig’s Stahl House – which is still one of the most famous homes in LA – that continues to grab most of the attention. Sitting elegantly atop the Hollywood Hills, it impressively overlooks the Los Angeles basin in a floor-to-ceiling, glass-windowed spectacle. Some might recognise it from Julius Shulman’s famous 1960 black-and-white photograph, Case Study House no. 22, Los Angeles, which forever imprinted it on our minds, at once portraying the relaxed, leisurely California lifestyle and the magnetism of the ‘floating’ structure.
While the Stahl House isn’t available to rent for holidays (one could only hope…), we have a fair share of mid-century modern homes in our collection at The Plum Guide. They are perfect to give you that feeling of casual glamour as you sip classic cocktails by the pool, only really pausing to take in the pastel-coloured beauty of those magical LA sunsets.
Broadleaf is just down the road, another sublime Pierre Koenig production.
From £1138 per night, sleeps 8
A Sign is Born, it basks in and complements the magnetic beauty of the Hollywood sign as if the two were made exclusively for each other.
From £1121 per night, sleeps 10
The OutpostIt doesn’t take much imagination to picture Slim Aarons with his camera, ready to document the spontaneous, casual glamour that’ll undoubtedly occur once you start lounging by the pool. The jetliner views of the metropolis make for a pretty stunning backdrop too, with the flashing neon lights of the Sunset Boulevard billboards in the far, far distance.
From £1441 a night, sleeps 6
