California Houzz Tour: Time Travel in a Converted 1906 Substation
History, fantasy and fragrance come together in a former L.A. trolley station that serves as a home, workspace and set
Kopp, pictured here with her German shepherd, Lars, says magical realism – both its drama and its mythical elements – play a part in all of her design. “There is scent in every nook and cranny of the building,” she says. She even designed a perfume in honour of the substation called 1906, for the year of its construction. Her 3,000-plus-square-foot brick home has a mix of vintage and modern decor.
For Kopp, the home has been both a labor of love and a dream come true. “In the early 2000s, I drove by the building a number of times and it was love at first sight. Every six months or so, I would send [the owner] another offer.” Each time, she recalls, she was met with the reply of “not for sale.” Then one day, months later, she received a call from the owner. “When I first moved in, I was so financially overextended that for months I washed our dishes with the hose in the garden until I found a stove and sink on Craigslist,” Kopp says.
For Kopp, the home has been both a labor of love and a dream come true. “In the early 2000s, I drove by the building a number of times and it was love at first sight. Every six months or so, I would send [the owner] another offer.” Each time, she recalls, she was met with the reply of “not for sale.” Then one day, months later, she received a call from the owner. “When I first moved in, I was so financially overextended that for months I washed our dishes with the hose in the garden until I found a stove and sink on Craigslist,” Kopp says.
Transforming the building into a home has often been a collaboration with friends. Kopp worked with a friend to design and build the 8-foot-high chandelier that hangs high above the dining table in the main room. The building has a 45-foot-high ceiling, and with light cast through the numerous windows and sheer window treatments, the space can feel both majestic and magical.
This space has been rented out as a set for movies such as Date Night and Must Love Dogs, TV shows Heroes and NCIS, magazines GQ and Vogue and catalogs for furniture and housewares firms.
Tärnö chairs: Ikea; candleholder: Ikea; dining table: handmade
This space has been rented out as a set for movies such as Date Night and Must Love Dogs, TV shows Heroes and NCIS, magazines GQ and Vogue and catalogs for furniture and housewares firms.
Tärnö chairs: Ikea; candleholder: Ikea; dining table: handmade
Scorch marks from a 1988 fire that destroyed parts of the building are seen in the discoloured brick under the staircase.
A set of gold-and-black velvet drapes found on Craigslist hang in front of 12-foot-high double doors that open to the courtyard.
A set of gold-and-black velvet drapes found on Craigslist hang in front of 12-foot-high double doors that open to the courtyard.
The living room sofa’s position just a few feet from the large doors leading to the courtyard help create an indoor-outdoor feel.
“My favourite feature of my building is its indoor and outdoor aspect,” Kopp says. “The doors are open to the outdoors nine out of 12 months in the year.”
An outdoor bar provides a transitional space from the building to the rest of the outdoor seating areas.
Adirondack chairs: Cost Plus World Market; Hampden metal bar stools: Target; Äpplarö chaise lounges: Ikea
Adirondack chairs: Cost Plus World Market; Hampden metal bar stools: Target; Äpplarö chaise lounges: Ikea
The corrugated metal bar is made of materials left over from film shoots.
The serene outdoor space belies its location in an industrial neighbourhood of Los Angeles. The space recently doubled as a Napa vineyard during a film shoot.
“Along the way, I have had help from Susanne Foldes and Doug Young from L.A. architecture firm Array Design in formulating the bedrooms and sliding walls upstairs,” Kopp says.
The upstairs landing features a comfortable sectional, as this area is frequently used by visitors who want to relax between film takes or congregate before a wedding ceremony.
Sectional: The Sofa Co.; acrylic chair: vintage
Sectional: The Sofa Co.; acrylic chair: vintage
“I remember seeing an article about Julian Schnabel’s New York loft back in the ’80s and I loved and envied his style,” Kopp says. “The place was far from polished, with dark walls and mismatched everything – but worked.”
In this corner of the bedroom, Kopp decorated with a whimsical painting of a Cinderella-inspired carriage, a vintage aviator helmet and vintage black-and-white photos. She found the wooden dresser on the street and restored it.
Desk: handmade
In this corner of the bedroom, Kopp decorated with a whimsical painting of a Cinderella-inspired carriage, a vintage aviator helmet and vintage black-and-white photos. She found the wooden dresser on the street and restored it.
Desk: handmade
“My bed was a repurposed backdrop from a film shoot that I hung on chains from the beams in my room,” Kopp says.
Bedding: Nordstrom; chandelier: vintage
Bedding: Nordstrom; chandelier: vintage
Candles and fragrances sit in the built-in shelves in the upstairs hallway. A few pieces throughout the home nod to the building’s former life, such as the “Next Car Please” sign.
The kitchen island countertop is a large floating sequoia slab, and it’s the place everyone gathers when Kopp entertains. To suspend the unique piece from the ceiling, she hired friends Lloyd Randall and Christine Edwards of Randall & Edwards to help install it. The bar stools are reupholstered garage sale finds.
Industrial-grade appliances have helped Kopp host large events such as weddings.
The kitchen is also part retail space and scent lab for Kopp’s candles and fragrances.
Oak and iron double bookshelf: Living Spaces
Oak and iron double bookshelf: Living Spaces
This bedroom often serves as a dressing room during film shoots.
With such a large and historic space, Kopp notes, large design changes are never easy or swift. “My next big design goal is to replace all the windows in the building. This is a very expensive goal and I may have to do this one to two windows at a time. We will see,” she says.
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What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Who lives here: Meike Kopp; her 21-year-old son, Anton; and her German shepherd, Lars
Location: Cypress Park area of Los Angeles
Size: 3,662 square feet (340 square metres); three bedrooms, two baths
Year built: 1906
Meike Kopp’s home in Los Angeles is listed as Historic-Cultural Monument No. 404. Built in 1906 by engineer Edward Sigourney Cobb, the Huron Substation was once used to supply electricity for the Yellow Cars of L.A.’s long-defunct streetcar system and is the second-oldest surviving substation in the city. Kopp, who is owner of Manifest Destiny, a niche perfume and candle company she runs from home, bought the property in 2005 and has reimagined the building as a mixed-use space. The main building and courtyard are rented out as a filming location and event space, and are also used as a workshop for her company.