Known as the Hemingway House, this Greek revival-style home in Los Angeles, built in 1924, boasts rich hardwood floors, copious built-ins, and period fireplaces throughout.
In a world where even luxury products have taken on a level of homogeneity - think sports sedans, five-star hotels and designer tote bags - more consumers are focusing on “place authenticity.” Psychologists loosely define the term as a unique essence that makes a place feel genuine and alive. This is, in part, why consumers are choosing to spend their money at indie bookstores instead of online or big-box retailers, enjoy their lattes at locally owned coffee shops instead of Starbucks, and purchase homes that offer a sense of character and a connection to history. “The authenticity of a place is about its unique character and essence – the way it is rooted in its cultural, historical, spiritual and experiential dimensions,” writes Ashley Krause, a doctoral candidate at the University of Florida and co-author of a study on this concept. “In other words, the emotional and psychological ties people have with places contribute to their perception of authenticity.”
A MOVE AWAY FROM MODERN
The phenomenon explains why many high-net-worth homebuyers today are shifting their preferences away from sleek, ultra- modern homes, defined by stark lines, open-concept plans and minimalist design, and toward traditional architectural styles, natural materials and richly textured interiors. This trend has been widely noted by real estate agents from around the Christie’s International Real Estate network whose clients have been favoring older (or older-looking) residences, from iconic Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Style homes in the U.S. to Victorian mansions in the U.K.
In Southern California, a shift to more traditional styles is partly a reaction to the proliferation of modern homes in the 21st century.
“It [modern design] has become the prevailing style in Los Angeles, so now you’re seeing a backlash,” said Aaron Kirman, owner and CEO of Beverly Hills-based Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California. “Traditional and transitional architecture have come back because you can do a lot of amazing things with these homes. In L.A., there are areas where people are just obsessed with traditional architecture.” However, the topography of Southern California will always lend itself to modern structures, notes Kirman. “And then there are certain locations where modern just makes more sense. If you’re on a hill with an amazing view you’re going to want to have as many walls of glass as you can,” he says. “But there are ways you can get a more transitional flow and warmer, more natural tones, and that seems to be very popular.”
33
Powered by FlippingBook