Alvin Lustig’s William H. Thomas Residence in Silver Lake Seeks a New Owner

The owners of the William H. Thomas Residence, designed by Alvin Lustig in Silver Lake, are looking for just the right buyer for this mid-century modern home.

Lustig was one of the most influential graphic designers of the 20th century. In the 1940s, he revolutionized the approach to book cover design and is best known for his work with the publisher New Directions.

The Thomas House by Alvin Lustig
The living room of the Thomas House by Alvin Lustig

William H. Thomas, a chief engineer and executive for JBL stereo company, was Lustig’s friend. Over the years, he hired Lustig to design everything from brochures speaker cabinets, and even a helicopter. In 1946, he commissioned Lustig to design a home for him and his family in the Silver Lake hills.

A student of Frank Lloyd Wright, Alvin Lustig, implemented core modernism ideals into this home. In the Spring issue of Dwell magazine (you know this is my all-time favorite magazine, right?), the current owner describes the house as “it’s not showy … it’s supposed to work nicely – completely sufficient and very graceful. It’s not a grand architectural statement, but something that works in an everyday sense.” And that it does.

The dining and kitchen area
The bedroom and glass window
Backyard dining area of the Thomas House by Alvin Lustig

Located within the coveted Ivanhoe Elementary School district, this mid-century home is sited on a hillside lot.

The enviable California indoor-outdoor flow is achieved through floor-to-ceiling windows that provide abundant indirect sunlight.

Lustig designed asterisk tile and immaculately restored period fixtures in the bathroom, the built-in magazine rack of a partition wall, the kitchen cabinet pulls, and a restored straight-grain, old-growth redwood trellis are some of the period details that remain. Originally a dark room, a 300-square-foot home office is on the lower level.

Listing courtesy of Nate Cole – Coldwell Banker

Interested in seeing this home? Let's Talk. 323.829.4440 EMAIL