Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman moved to California in the early 1950s and, inspired the work of other midcentury designers such as Alexander Girard and Charles and Ray Eames, they opened a small design studio. They named it JENEV, a combination of their first names, which Jerry said they also liked because it "sounded European." They worked in a variety of mediums including ceramics, textiles, wood carving, and mosaics, and their designs encapsulated the "organic, naturalistic, textural, warm, and colorful" spirit of California Modernism.
In 1956, they purchased a home in Culver City and converted a portion of it into their studio. This Friday through Sunday, August 7-9, an estate sale will be held of the home where they lived and created for more than 60 years. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a piece of their life work and items they collected and cherished.
According to the estate sale company, "their studio, conceived by an associate of A. Quincey Jones, was ground zero for most of their creations. This estate is a time-capsule and glimpse into this prolific design couple’s world. It contains a truly amazing array of treasures, many of their own designs, pieces from their showroom on Beverly Blvd., as well as curated pieces from artists, ceramists, and important furniture designers of the era. The house and studio are a treasure trove filled with an extensive collection of vintage finds, mid-century furniture, jewelry, rugs, folk art, prints and paintings, antiques, and books from around the world."
Before Jerry passed away in 2019 at the age of 99, his daughter Laura shared with us what her childhood was like in "the house that love built" for our Growing Up Modern series (linked below). She also generously provided the image of a tapestry designed by Evelyn for our 2018 holiday card.
We hope the Ackerman's treasures all find wonderful new homes where they will be enjoyed and appreciated.
