Mid-Century Escape

Step inside this mid-century-designed home and you’ll feel its clean, bright, simple, elegance envelop you. Your mind will become quiet and you’ll be drawn into the artwork on the walls (much of it created by the homeowner) and the whimsical feel of the small but charming kitchen. Here at the home of the lead singer of the Big Daddy Orchestra, Barry Cohen finds time to escape from his big-band music.

He took me on a tour of his Carlsbad home that was built in 1969. As I walked through the house I could sense just how much he has made his home a part of his life—but here he reveals the side of his personality that is so very different from the extrovert that performs on stage in San Diego, playing swing music until the wee hours of the morning. On this day, he has on soft, relaxing piano music and shows me how the tri-level townhouse is a perfect way for him to work and play.

“I like it here because it’s so quiet. It’s such a getaway. I am always around music and parties and loud people,” Cohen said.

Barry makes his own artwork like these two paintings

As you enter his home/work office, you walk up a few short steps and find you’re in both the living room and his office, but you don’t feel confined or that one area dominates another. Instead, when your eyes turn toward the office space, it’s easy to imagine Cohen, who is also a DJ, sitting with clients as they review their wedding reception music selection. Then, later, he might curl up on the couch with his dog, strum a little on his guitar, or simply watch the flames in the fireplace light up the room.

A sunken tub overlooks a Zen patio

Making our way downstairs, we explore a guest and master bedroom. In the guest bedroom (a converted golfcart garage), a black-and-white décor is surprisingly fitting for the tiny room. The framed artwork above the bed was done by Cohen after a session of simply “messing around” on the computer.

A moment to relax for the singer
Perhaps one of the most enjoyable features of this nearly 1,700 square-foot home is the tranquil Zen-like patio located just off the master bedroom. Cohen completely re-designed the backyard. A bed of smooth rocks lies beneath a silver ball water feature. On the concrete patio walls are makeshift Japanese shoji screens.

“Those are trellises that I bought at Home Depot. I cut off the ends, painted them black, and then I got some plastic and put it on the back to make it like a shoji screen. Then I put lights behind it,” Cohen said.

Inside the master bathroom, the Japanese theme continues. A sunken tub sits behind another shoji screen and you can imagine sitting in a relaxing bubble bath and meditating, as you peer out the large window that separates the master bathroom from the patio.

Cohen plans to tackle the kitchen for his next re-do project. He’ll be replacing the cabinets and tile—and then just maybe, he’ll sit back and relax—or maybe not?

Phoebe Chongchua
		About the author:
		Phoebe Chongchua is an award-winning journalist who appears on TV, in print, and on the Internet. She's a former ABC affiliate News Reporter/Newscaster who founded Live Fit Magazine in 2004, recognizing how the journalism industry is rapidly moving online. The magazine has evolved frrom producing content only for LFM to producing much-needed video feature news stories and documentaries for companies and associations. Phoebe discovered an unfulfilled niche market and expanded LFM in order to meet the needs of a growing marektplace. Her clients are happy she did! Live Fit Magazine produces video news stories that entice viewing audiences to watch the video, spread the message, buy the product or visit the establishment. It's a creative, credible approach to marketing companies, products, and services. Few companies offer what Live Fit Magazine can do for your company in a single feature video story. Phoebe works with clients to seamlessly integrate their newly produced video into their current marketing materials. She offers expert advice on new marketing strategies and call-to-action campaigns. Her innovative efforts keep companies positioned for success and their customers regularly watching new and informative videos.
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