Preservation Awards

Join us on Sunday, June 2, from noon to 5 PM when the Conservancy presents a self-guided tour highlighting a decade of Preservation Awards.  Docents at each site will describe this select group of award-winning places that are among Santa Monica's most inspiring preservation accomplishments. 

See below for details on the tour as well as volunteer opportunities and other Conservancy updates.

Click here to purchase your tickets immediately!

______________________________________________________________________

An Ocean Park Craftsman home (above) built in 1915 which received the 2013 Renovation Award.  The exterior has been carefully restored while the interior was reinvented with a contemporary open plan.

The Baxter Residence (below/left), an unusual historic home from the first decade of the twentieth century which was saved from demolition by its current owners. The house was moved across town to Sunset Park and sensitively restored.  It was designated as a Santa Monica Structure of Merit in 1999.

        

Hollister Court (above/right), a collection of Craftsman bungalows from the early 1900s, grouped along a lushly landscaped central courtyard next to Mary Hotchkiss Park.  The property was designated as a Santa Monica Landmark in 1990 and divided into condominiums in 1993.

Barnum Hall, a 1930’s gem, built as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project on the Santa Monica High School campus.  The auditorium, which was restored and renovated as a public performance space, is a striking example of Streamline Moderne architecture with interior artwork by Stanton McDonald Wright.

And finally, we are very privileged to offer tours of the Pasqual Marquez Family Cemetery in Santa Monica Canyon, one of the few remaining vestiges of our Mexican heritage. The cemetery, part of the 1839 Rancho Boca de Santa Monica land grant to Francisco Marquez and Ysidro Reyes, is now preserved and protected after decades of struggles.   

Tickets are $40/$30 for Santa Monica Conservancy members.  Purchase online  or send your check by May 27  to the Conservancy at PO Box 653, Santa Monica, 90406, with number and type of tickets and your email and phone.  A limited number of tickets will be available on tour day at the check-in location on Civic Center Drive on the south side of the Civic Center Parking Structure.   The tour price includes a shuttle which will provide transportation from this site to the two tour locations in Ocean Park.  Two other check-in locations will be offered to holders of pre-paid tickets who want to begin their tour from Sunset Park or the Marquez Cemetery in Santa Monica Canyon.

Volunteer and see the tour for free!  We are now recruiting docents and other volunteers to help provide information to visitors and assist with check-in and other tasks.  As a volunteer, you receive free admission to the tour. There will be two shifts; whichever shift you are not working, you are free to tour the sites with your volunteer badge as your admission ticket.

If you would like to volunteer for this event, please respond tovolunteer@smconservancy.org with your email and phone contact information: home line and cell phone.  If you cannot join us for this event, but would like to explore other volunteer opportunities with the Conservancy, please send email or fill out the volunteer form on our website indicating your areas of interest. 

Thank you to deasy/penner&partners, presenting sponsors of this tour.

deasy/penner&partners is an architectural, estate and design-centric real estate firm dedicated to home as art®, with offices in Beverly Hills, Pasadena and Venice — as well as an international network of like-minded brokerages globally. See their website at www.homeasart.com.  

For information about sponsorship opportunities for this and other Conservancy events, please send email to president@smconservancy.org

Have you taken our Downtown Walking Tour?  

For more information about the tour, click here. Our informative two hour tour of Downtown Santa Monica takes place every Saturday morning at 10 AM. Reserve a place with email to dwt@smconservancy.org, or just come check in a few minutes early at 1436 2nd St (the Hostel, next to the historic Rapp Saloon). Have a group of friends or family visiting? We’re happy to schedule a private group tour with at least four weeks’ notice.

Conservancy members save on tours and other events!  Are you a current member?

Your annual membership contributions support our work to preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of our city. You will receive our informative quarterly newsletter and discounts on tours and events - as well as complimentary admission to our annual Holiday Party.

If you are a current or recent past member, your expiration date should be listed here:12/31/2013

Join or renew now! You may join online as an Individual or Household Member or as aBusiness/Corporate Member. Or send a check to the address below.

Thank you for your support!

Questions? Email info@smconservancy.org or leave a message at 310-496-3146.

###

SARAH BARNARD is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), is certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), and is recognized by the International Institute for Bau-Biologie & Ecology as a Building Biology Practitioner (BBP) and by the United States Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). She serves on the Santa Monica Conservancy’s board of directors and specializes in green interior design and historic preservation.

Sarah Barnard Design undertakes residential interior design projects, commercial spaces and even single rooms. She can help you with space planning, color counseling, kitchen and bath remodeling, historic preservation, and all aspects of green design and healthy living: organic, non-toxic, sustainable and fair trade materials, energy and resource conservation, air and water purification, natural furnishings and fabrics and much more!

###

Meet Meca McKinney: Modern Leather Artisan

After several years as a fashion accessories/handbag designer, Meca McKinney, has just released her 1st home goods collection titled Moroccan Androgyny at Anavaa Kisasa, a  boutique in Brooklyn, NY. Pulling inspiration from a range of diverse points, from Jane Jetson, Moroccan deserts, and Menswear fashion, the Jypsea debut collection is both eclectic and classic.

Jypsea Leathergoods began as a custom accessory and handbag company based in New Jersey.  An eco-conscious brand, these one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces were highly sought after and beautifully made with leather and recycled high quality materials.  The natural progression has led Jypsea to the next step of design:  Home Goods. 

The change in direction comes from a genuine love for the place we call home. Meca believes deeply that a cozy, happy, inspired home creates joy that permeates within and outside the home. Filling the home with special handcrafted, custom and one-of-a-kind pieces that hold sentimental value are the things that turn a house into a happy home. Jypsea Leathergoods creates heirlooms that are modern classics that will withstand the test of time. They may be chic, but never trendy.

The collection is comprised of hand-woven lambskin floor pillows, emblem place mats, double-sided suede bound coaster sets, studded kidskin napkin ring holders, spiked lambskin mirrors, and so much more. All handcrafted from fine leather and/or recycled materials.

The collection is decidedly unisex. After so many years designing almost strictly for women, Meca is designing with all genders in mind and loves it. Because the collection also comprises of “upcycled” pieces, you’ll find remnants of 80s style men’s knitted and leather trimmed jackets and women’s leather maxi skirts. She keeps the original hardware in place to make it identifiable but uses abstract shapes and adds additional hardware, like spikes, studs, metallic skins, or animal-print brushed cotton to give each piece a distinct personality.

Meca also partnered with a local soy candle manufacturer to release Jypsea LUXE, an 8 oz travel soy candle with the sultry aroma consisting of the perfect blend of mandarin orange, warm vanilla, and cinnamon.

Because Meca believes that the importance of having a beautiful, pleasant home to go return to can create the inner peace that inspires hope, change and renewal, she has begun the Jypsea Leathergoods Renewal Initiative. The Initiative will provide a deserving family in transition from a tragic experience to a new beginning the furnishings and accessories to turn their new residence into a happy home. 4 families will be chosen per year to have a home makeover accented with Jypsea HOME accessories, fresh paint, artwork, furniture, and more as needed. 20% of the proceeds from the sale of all Jypsea Leathergoods merchandise will go to fund the initiative and make a difference in the lives of many.

One very lucky Eco-Chic blog reader will receive a set of four leather napkin rings from Meca of Jypsea Leathergoods. Just click the "subscribe" button on the top right hand side of your screen (within the blog window) to be entered. Current blog subscribers are automatically entered! The winner will be chosen at random on June 01, 2013.

###

Meca McKinney, a FIT grad, is the designer of Jypsea (pronounced gypsy) Leathergoods, a luxe line of hand-crafted handbags, accessories and home decor made of the finest leathers and exotic skins; both new and reclaimed. She is also the author of “ENVISION: The Young Accessory Designer’s Guide to Collection Development” and has taught handbag design at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia and after-school programs throughout NJ.

###

SARAH BARNARD is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), is certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), and is recognized by the International Institute for Bau-Biologie & Ecology as a Building Biology Practitioner (BBP) and by the United States Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). She serves on the Santa Monica Conservancy’s board of directors and specializes in green interior design and historic preservation.

Sarah Barnard Design undertakes residential interior design projects, commercial spaces and even single rooms. She can help you with space planning, color counseling, kitchen and bath remodeling, historic preservation, and all aspects of green design and healthy living: organic, non-toxic, sustainable and fair trade materials, energy and resource conservation, air and water purification, natural furnishings and fabrics and much more!

###

Takes On Industrial Spaces

Industrial spaces are often imbued with the unfortunate connotation of being rigid or generic. With a little bit of ingenuity, uninspired interiors can be an opportunity for creative development. The Pancake Epidemic, a creative ad agency located in the heart of LA's Mid-Wilshire district, transformed their industrial offices into a hip and eclectic environment.

The pre-existing pillar was converted into a unique shelving unit, which functions as a focal point for the lounge area. By adding knit accessories, they were also able to achieve a relaxed and more welcoming environment.

The conference room reflects a retro schoolhouse style, implemented through the juxtaposition of an exposed brick and chalkboard wall along with schoolhouse furniture. The neon clouds hanging on the corner of the room add a unique flair, making the environment a fun area to hold discussions and meetings. 

Hemingway and Pickett is an art and design store located in LA’s Silverlake neighborhood. From books to small furnishings they carry a wide selection of art and design related items. 

The store’s ceiling and shelves are formed using reclaimed wood from shipping pallets. This effect gives the room a masculine and outdoorsy finish.

Their unique and crafty shelving units display accessories in a fresh and exciting way, engaging customers to look closer.

Oakland’s ‘Forge’ is a pizza restaurant located on the front of Jack London Square. They’re known for creating American pizzas that are fired through their 800-degree Valoriani oven. The restaurant interior 
emanates a late 19^th century industrial style that corresponds with their brawn oven and the author Jack London. 

The 19^th century industrial décor is carried out through their use of steel furniture, exposed wood accessories and exposed light bulbs.

The burnt exposed wood flooring emphasizes the restaurant's rugged aesthetic while adding a level of comfort to create an inviting space.

The melted candles by the windowsill provide a beautiful rustic warmth that gleams in the sunset.

Traditional interiors often require design choices that hone in on and complement the pre-existing theme of an interior. Unlike a formal space, an industrial space does not need to follow a rigid design guideline. An industrial space can be seen as a blank canvas, where design decisions can be purely made from scratch. This makes it an ideal space for unique and intriguing design elements to be produced.

###

SARAH BARNARD is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), is certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), and is recognized by the International Institute for Bau-Biologie & Ecology as a Building Biology Practitioner (BBP) and by the United States Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). She serves on the Santa Monica Conservancy’s board of directors and specializes in green interior design and historic preservation.

Sarah Barnard Design undertakes residential interior design projects, commercial spaces and even single rooms. She can help you with space planning, color counseling, kitchen and bath remodeling, historic preservation, and all aspects of green design and healthy living: organic, non-toxic, sustainable and fair trade materials, energy and resource conservation, air and water purification, natural furnishings and fabrics and much more!

###