A peek inside the home of crafts masters Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman
Though little known to most of the public, Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman are revered in design circles for ceramics, tile mosaics, woodcarvings and textiles that had the kind of cheap-chic ethos so popular today. “One of our goals was to be affordable,” Evelyn Ackerman says. “Not having a lot of money was the position we were in most of our young life, so it is what we strove to do for others.”
The Ackermans invited the Home section for a peek inside their home and studio. Here, with her “Cat and Bird” tapestry hanging by the living room, Evelyn Ackerman gets a little love from husband Jerome. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
The Ackermans bought the three-bedroom tract house and partially completed work studio in 1956. They went on to complete the studio, designed by an associate of architect A.
Rich details emerge from a wood panel in the Ackermans backyard. Fans of the couples designs often describe their work as cheery and cute but still sophisticated. Pop potter and home décor designer Jonathan Adler calls it optimistic, gorgeous, influenced by a sense of freedom that can only be found in
In the dining nook in the Ackermans kitchen, pieces of classic midcentury modernism in sleek, stark white are surrounded by the rustic warmth of the paneled walls. I have one rule for decorating, Evelyn Ackerman says. Do whatever pleases you. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
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Kitchen cabinets are graced with handles that the Ackermans designed. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Jerome Ackerman designed the ceramic bowl, which sits in front of a Kosta Boda candelabrum in the dining room. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
The tallest framed photo captures Evelyn Ackerman painting decades ago. The finished piece hangs on the wall above. Ackerman drew designs for woodcarvings, textiles, mosaics, wall sculptures and more, and her husband managed the business side, getting well-crafted pieces to market. The results were warm and whimsical designs featuring flowers, animals, children and mythical figures. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
The Ackermans look at one of Evelyns tapestry illustrations. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
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One of Evelyn Ackermans stained glass designs hangs in their home. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
In the foreground: An antique tricycle sports a wooden horse seat. In the background: a mask by the Ibo people of Nigeria and a late 19th century dollhouse by Moritz Gottschalk sit on a Danish modern table. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
The Ackermans house contains a mix of their work, Mexican handicrafts, African masks and art books. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Evelyn Ackerman is a collector of antique toys, including the Moritz Gottschalk dollhouse shown here. She has written five authoritative books on dolls, including two volumes that feature her own costume patterns. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
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Jerome Ackerman, 89, sits under one of his paintings. Living long enough to see their first major museum retrospective is gratifying, he says. We never thought about being a part of this time period that would be designated as important. It reaffirms the faith that you had in what you were doing and that you struck a responsive chord. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
More of the Ackermans collection, displayed in their home studio. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
