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I had never heard of such a thing: a Swiss-Chalet style Craftsman. But this one, built by Naldo Francis Stokes in 1908, offers gracious, living in a three-level home. Stokes' work incorporated finishes "of a very high order with handsome mantelpieces, beamed ceilings, built-in buffets, and all the accessories of a comfortable, modern house." In the early 20th century, Stokes made his name by creating stately homes in Normandie-Adams, and thanks to a thoughtful Historic Preservation Plan, this Central Los Angeles neighborhood remains a nearly unmatched repository of exceptional Craftsman architecture. Wait, Swiss-Chalet-Japanese-Craftsman? Charming period details include an expansive covered porch, a formal dining room, a library with a ceramic fireplace surround, large living room with fireplace, and expansive kitchen that, in my mind, doesn’t fit the style of the house and should be redone. Upstairs are four bedrooms and three baths upstairs, with two sleeping porches, and one bedroom—for the houseboys?—and two baths downstairs. There is also a California basement—a small, unfinished storage space excavated below the ground floor—and a sunlit attic suitable for use as a studio or office. Alongside upgraded electrical and plumbing and a fresh California Native and drought-tolerant landscape, this historic property presents a unique opportunity for a new owner to apply for property-tax saving Mills Act designation for the front house and to utilize the advantageous LARD2 zoning to create a multi-family property using the garage structure out back. I love this house … the history and design … and while it’s way to big for us, I could live in it if I had the $1.2 million—seriously a bargain—and it wasn’t already sold!                          As always, click to emBIGGERate ...  |
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Architecture Wednesday: The Maly-Smith Residence
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A blank canvas that we could make work. The layout is a little quirky, a full bath off of the dining room? Really nice sized rooms.
ReplyDeleteI think maybe, at some time, that dining room was used as a bedroom? Otherwise I don't get that either.
DeleteI agree it was probably a bedroom and as a dining room it seems a bit far from the kitchen, the food would get cold being carted all that way, ditto the breakfast room.
DeleteWith a number of area rugs and runners on the stairs, that would work. Hardwood and dogs means constant maintenance if things aren't covered.
ReplyDeleteGet thee to a rug store.
DeleteThe exterior is so welcoming, but I found the interior rather cold. But that is likely due to the lack of furniture and rugs. Can you imagine the work that went into creating all of wood work? $1.2M is definitely a steal.
ReplyDeleteI am usually not a fan of dark woodwork but here i love it.
DeleteIt would need a lot of dusting all of the time. I couldn't figure out what all of the different rooms were for.
ReplyDeleteA lot of the bedrooms upstairs are connected to one another, and there are two sleeping porches as well!
DeleteThe amount of wood ... beautiful, gleaming wood ... is overwhelming! No, thanks!!
ReplyDeleteAs I said up top, I don't mind all the woodwork but I'd need a duster on call!
DeleteVery nice! ... Except, I think that kitchen could use a bit of help.
ReplyDeleteI agree; the kitchen doesn't quite fit the house.
DeleteHoly shit.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful house. Love all the wood (heh) and If I had a cool mil and lived in CA, I would shank a bitch to get it.
I love that porch and the floors! So much character!!
Love it.
XOXO
Great character, and great possibilities.
Deletexoxo
🤢 Dark woods, dark tiles, dark hearts! Icky! 🤮
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the drak in this one.
DeleteI need to think about this---I love me some wood---No not that---But I need to rework things---I am not saying paint it all white---I have a sense this may have been divided up into apartments/studios at one time---Reviewing the floor plan, one could turn the home into a duplex without too much trouble---The two full bathrooms on the main floor and the locations is a bit much---I do love the home---LA neighborhoods have hidden treasures throughout---I looked at the neighborhood via Google and there are some nice homes on this street---Beautiful mature trees and a good place for evening walks and progressive dinners---Remember those---A calm refuge in a busy city--I could work with this---As always, I will pay your finders fee and an open invitation to you and Carlos for a fun time on the West Coast---
ReplyDeletePS---I would need to hire an ingenious landscape architect to bring out the potential in the backyard---It's a diamond in the ruff---
ReplyDeleteThe yard does need work.
Deletethe dog's mother
ReplyDeleteWhen we changed to hardwood floors
one of the dogs could not adapt. I had
to put him on a towel and pull him down
the hallway. We got carpet runners made.
xoxo :-)
Yeah, dogs slip and slide on the hardwood floors
Deletexoxo
You are right about that kithen!
ReplyDeleteIt's too plain and clinical for such a house!
DeleteThat’s an unbelievable bargain. Half the price of our old craftsman in San Diego and a helluva lot bigger. Wow!!! And what a ball we would have designing and planting that back garden.
ReplyDeleteYes, that back garden could be fabulous and you could turn the garage attic into an ADU for added income if needed.
DeleteWe had a 1906 Craftsman in that area! It was a gorgeous house that retained all of the original woodwork, but had a well-done kitchen renovation, additional first floor bathroom, and a pool in the backyard! I really miss that house and wish we'd kept it when we moved to Savannah! *sigh* Great choice for Architecture Wednesday, sweetpea! xoxo
ReplyDeleteYeah, this one is a keeper for all it's style and history!~
Deletexoxo
I don't think I would change too much. I note there are four bathrooms plus an ensuite, and the two lower bathrooms are back to back, and there aren't any bathroom photos, perhaps they are a bit dire, but otherwise yes, great.
ReplyDeleteI agree; I think the bathrooms might need some work!
DeleteThe first thing that struck me was how low the ceilings are. However, obviously someone loves it. We have small houses in UK, generally - some might even say pokey.
ReplyDeleteI think the ceilings are fine in some room; that library, though, seems a bit short maybe because of the beams?? And it is a bit large!
DeleteWow. I wonder what the original home looked like... are there a number of additions? They certainly could shake it up a bit, but I do like the house. More natural light would be nice, but... hey... that woodwork will keep you feeling warm all winter. Just lovely.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there were additions; judging from the floorplans. It could be brightened up but this time I'd leave the woodwork as is!
DeleteIt's a bit dark isn't it! We looked at a lovely chalet with two grain storage huts in the garden (they'd had electricity and running water added) but looking at all that wood and the dark just turned me off, even though it was lovely from the outside and fit in beautifully with the surroundings!
ReplyDeleteI think it needs better lighting and a lighter wall color--but I'd leave the wood alone--and it'd look very bright.
DeleteYou're right, that kitchen doesn't "fit", it's too white amongst all that lovely wood in the other rooms. Normally I don't like that much interior wood, but it fits the style and these rooms are large enough that it doesn't become claustrophobic. I love the exterior too.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you.
DeleteBeautiful house. Needs some plants. I love the Craftsman style, with all the natural wood and brick.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of my favorite styles, too, and it's made for having plants everywhere.
Delete