The New York Post dubbed Lili St. Cyr “the Kim Kardashian of her day.” A burlesque performer known for her bubble bath strip tease, St. Cyr got her big break in 1951 when she was charged with indecent exposure while making a splash at Ciro’s in LA. During her heyday, St. Cyr lived in a Tudor “cottage” built into a hillside at the foot of Bronson Canyon.
It’s easy to see why St. Cyr fell for the 1927 hideaway—and why, more than half a century later, Joelle Kutner and Jesse Rudolph of Ome Dezin saw the house’s next-act potential. The two LA designer-developers launched their firm at the start of the pandemic, and, in addition to working for clients, specialize in purchasing and restoring historic properties for resale. Ome Dezin—a name they got from Kutner’s husband’s French-accented pronunciation of “Home Design”—aren’t your average house flippers: they treat their rescues as showcases for what they can do and say they don’t cut corners.
This one came in a well-preserved if worn-out, wall-to-wall carpeted state. With neighbors stopping in to tell tales of St. Cyr—”walking up and down the street in her silk robes,” says Kutner; “charging to borrow a wrench,” adds Rudolph—the late pinup star became a presence as they envisioned next steps. Join us for a look.
Photography by Austin Leis, courtesy of Ome Dezin (@omedezin), unless noted.
![set behind a high wall with a courtyard in front, the house is \2\20;tud 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-christopher-lee-foto-1-733x1099.jpg)
![the living room—formerly painted and carpeted in shades of yellow— 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cathedral-living-room-la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-christopher-lee-foto-2-733x1001.jpg)
The designers installed engineered medium-wide oak flooring (“selected because it can withstand a lot of wear and tear”) and added the decorative herringbone brick to the fireplace, which has its original marble surround. The Astep Model 6025 lights—a 1950 Gino Sarfatti design—are from Matter: “we splurged on all of the built-in lighting” says Kutner (yes, it came with the house).
![the dining room has the second of five fireplaces, most of which work (this one 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-austin-leis-photo-3-733x537.jpg)
![in place of what had a been a galley kitchen with a laundry squeezed in and sma 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-austin-leis-photo-4a-733x537.jpg)
![the sink is set in a new addition with a cathedral ceiling that matches the exi 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-austin-leis-photo-5-733x1001.jpg)
![the designers modeled the banquette after church pews. the paneled door leads t 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-austin-leis-photo-6-733x537.jpg)
![the den is an addition that dates from the \1970s or \2\17;80s—li 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-austin-leis-photo-7-733x537.jpg)
![a mudroom/library off the front door adjoins the den. it has new alder bookshel 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-austin-leis-photo-8-733x1001.jpg)
![the designers preserved st. cyr\2\17;s bedroom much as it was. the 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-austin-leis-photo-9-733x1001.jpg)
![the faux foxed mirrored closet is original (restored with some new panels). 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-austin-leis-photo-10-733x1001.jpg)
![one of the house\2\17;s four bathrooms. the cast iron claw footed tub is 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/bathroom-la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-733x1099.jpg)
![there are two bedrooms upstairs—both with fireplaces—and two down 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/bedroom-la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-733x489.jpg)
![the kitchen\2\17;s checkerboard floor (from local supplier emser tile) f 29](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-christopher-lee-foto-13-733x489.jpg)
![off the front gate, the designers introduced an antique limestone basin, source 30](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/la-tudor-spec-remodel-by-ome-dezin-austin-leis-photo-14-733x1001.jpg)
![ome dezin worked with the existing layout and made artful updates, including a 31](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/floor-plan-la-tudor-remodel-by-ome-dezin.jpg)
Some other notable LA house flips:
- Hollywood Tale: A Spec House with Uncommon Style
- Midcentury Modernized: A Spec House in West Hollywood
- 11 Money-Saving Strategies from a Hollywood House Flipper
N.B.: This story originally ran on July 14, 2023, and has been updated.
Frequently asked questions
Who remodeled the Tudor house featured in the article?
The Tudor house was remodeled by Ome Dezin of Lili St. Cyr's 1927 LA House.
What year was the Tudor house originally built?
The Tudor house was originally built in 1927.
How would you describe the architectural style of the Tudor house?
The Tudor house features a distinct Tudor architectural style, characterized by its steeply pitched roofs, decorative half-timbering, and Tudor arches.
What are some notable features of the Tudor remodel?
Some notable features of the Tudor remodel include a new open floor plan, updated kitchen and bathrooms, restored original details such as the fireplace and staircase, and upgraded electrical and plumbing systems.
Who is the designer behind the Tudor remodel project?
The designer behind the Tudor remodel project is Ome Dezin of Lili St. Cyr's 1927 LA House.
What is the inspiration behind the Tudor remodel design?
The inspiration behind the Tudor remodel design is a mix of modern and traditional elements, blending contemporary aesthetics with the original charm of the Tudor architecture.
Are there any before and after pictures of the Tudor remodel available?
Yes, before and after pictures of the Tudor remodel are available in the article.
What is the website where I can read the full article about the Tudor remodel?
You can read the full article about the Tudor remodel at www.remodelista.com/posts/tudor-remodel-by-ome-dezin-of-lili-st-cyrs-1927-la-house/
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