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Architecture/~*Storybook Cottage*~

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Expert: - 6/27/2005


Question
Hi Richard. I dont know if your the right guy I should be asking, but you might can help me. I was looking at pictures of different styles of cottages the other day, and I fell in love with one of the houses. So I did a little digging and I found out a lot of interesting info on the house. I cant however seem to find any pictures of the inside of the house, floorplans or anything. The cottage I'm talking about is in Beverly Hills, CA. It was built in 1921. Some people call it The Witches House, others call it The Spadena House. This little cottage is so unique. The front door is made up of odd-shaped wooden slabs, with the edges rounded. The roof is deliberately curved and ragged looking. People don't build homes like that anymore. Today Everything has to be perfect. I like for things to be a little odd and not so perfect. To me that is perfect. So if you know anything about this cottage or where to find info on it then please tell me. I would really, really appreciate it.

Answer
Hi Stacy - thanks for your question!

The Spadena house is one of the most famous and frequently visited tourist sites in Beverly Hills.  It's still a private home so you'll have to be satisfied with a drive-by visit.

There are several websites that talk about the house, and it's mentioned in several books including this one I found on Amazon.com: Storybook Style: America's Whimsical Homes of the Twenties by Arrol Gellner and Douglas Keister.

Here are some of the websites I found:
http://www.seeing-stars.com/Landmarks/WitchesHouse.shtml
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2813284-spadena_house_los_angeles-i
http://www.klaxo.net/hofc/other/archi.htm#witc
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/valley/la-hm-storybook13jan13,1,1745663.story?...

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtastudio.com
www.betterhomedesign.blogspot.com

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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