Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

John Lautner’s Deutsch House Hits the Market in Los Angeles

John Lautner’s Deutsch House Hits the Market in Los Angeles

Original built-in cabinetry by boatbuilder John de la Vaux gives John Lautner’s Deutsch House a cool nautical vibe.

John Lautner is one of the most famous names in Los Angeles architecture-renowned for iconic structures such as the Chemosphere and the Sheats-Goldstein residence-but he didn’t only design homes with large budgets. In 1954, the Frank Lloyd Wright protégé built a more humble abode for his bookkeeper, Lorena Deutsch, and her husband George, a woodworker and cabinetmaker.

Set in the Hollywood Hills with sweeping views across Los Angeles (including the Hollywood sign), the Deutsch House was completed early in Lautner’s career-yet the home displays many elements that would come to characterize the midcentury architect’s work.



The midcentury modern house in the Hollywood Hills offers extraordinary views of the mountains, the Hollywood sign, and city lights.

Although George was a cabinetmaker (he worked on the house across the street, 7158 Macapa, as well as other homes in Los Angeles), Lautner tasked his favorite contractor, John de la Vaux-a master craftsman and a boatbuilder-to take on the project. According to Deutsch House lore, the couple were honored to have de la Vaux work on their home-and the boatbuilder’s handiwork gives the home its signature nautical vibe.



The home features an open floor plan with high ceilings, exposed wood rafters, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and nautical-inspired teak paneling. The flooring features end-grain wood.

In 2003, after years of disrepair, a renovation stripped layers of paint from the home’s brick and wood-paneled walls to return the interiors to their original character. Originally built as a one-bedroom home, the 1,720-square-foot residence now features two bedrooms and three baths, a light-filled living room, a wood-paneled den, a kitchen with original cabinetry, and a storage area on the lower level.

George’s former workshop on the lower level was converted into a second bedroom and bathroom when the home was restored-although the design team preserved an oil stain in the corner of the room as an homage to the original homeowner. Scroll ahead for a look inside.



Clerestory windows allow natural light to flood into the open-plan living space.



A buff brick fireplace anchors the open living space, which is wrapped in walls of glass.



The home was renovated in 2003 after having fallen into disrepair. The update brought back the home’s authentic period charm.



The renovation stripped layers of paint from the home’s wood-paneled walls, returning them to their original glory.



The main floor has a living room, den, kitchen, bedroom, and one and a half baths. The lower floor has a second bedroom, bathroom, storage/office space, and two-car garage. Photos by Shawn Bishop



The kitchen cabinetry is original, while the appliances and countertops have been updated.



Another look at the fully restored kitchen cabinetry.



The primary bedroom has a very nautical feel.



The primary bathroom also received an update.



This downstairs room originally served as a workshop for George Deutsch-although it was converted into a second bedroom when the home was renovated. An oil stain in the corner pays homage to the room’s original use.



The renovation also added a downstairs bathroom.



The outdoor space spans two levels and includes wood decks, a flagstone terrace, and a kitchen garden.



A sunny spot in the yard offers a panoramic view of the city.



The Hollywood sign can be seen from the home’s backyard.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×