Let’s Move to LA (Silverlake in particular)

There’s a general rule of thumb about architects (okay two rules of thumb—two hands, two thumbs). Architects are rarely women, and even more rarely successful before 50. The exception to the rule is Barbara Bestor (she’s 39 and doesn’t look like an architect). There are none of those Corbu style-heavy black glasses going on. So, she wears skinny jeans high heels and is all about modernism—but doing it with interesting materials. Plywood for one. Or cardboard. Both used to great effect in her building for Grand Royal and stores for XL. And now she has a gorgeous book out—Bohemian Modern Living in Silverlake, which is great not just for the cool houses (Eli Bonerz’s Neutra one for one and Barbara’s own iconic shack in the hills), but also for its cover and illustrations. The cover has that heavily textured feel that makes you think of math textbooks in the 7th grade (or if you’re British your second year of secondary school) – and the illustrations are all by the legendary Geoff Mcfetridge. And you can buy it all on Amazon.

Jennifer Kabat
Posted on Tuesday, 9th of May 2006 Permalink Comment (0)