Intimate look into small interiors in Woods’ new book, talk at Ebell

| April 3, 2014 | 0 Comments
COLORFUL ART and Old World antiques blend in at the Citrus House featured in the book.

COLORFUL ART and Old World antiques blend in at the Citrus House featured in the book.

Hancock Park-based author Douglas Woods has recently published his fourth book, “Dreaming Small: Intimate Interiors.”

The 228-page hardback features 200 color photos by Melba Levick of homes mostly under 2,000 square feet.

In an era of downsizing, the 22 Southern California homes largely built in the early 20th century show how artful living can be accomplished in any size.

Arts and Crafts bungalows and Spanish style haciendas are among these jewel-box homes. Also featured are mid-century modern and French-inspired townhomes.

Many are by legendary architects including Irving Gill, Richard Neutra and Paul R. Williams.

Citrus House

They include the Citrus House in Hancock Park, 1925. The California Bungalow was in disrepair when fashion designer and interior decorator Johnson Hartig found it.

He raised the ceilings, redid the floors, painted the walls white and decorated with a mix of colorful art and old world antiques. A garden oasis beckons with a pool and driftwood sculptures created by Hartig.

Windsor Village

In Windsor Village, a French Normandy townhouse has changed little since the 1930s when The Rosenkranz Apartments were built. A courtyard welcomes residents on the outside, and Avedon portraits and a thrift shop artwork above the fireplace are on display in the featured home.

Another apartment in Windsor Village built in 1936 shows high ceilings and a generous floor plan.

The Beckman Residence is a “standout” in Hancock Park—an International Style nestled among early 20th-century European revival houses. Designed by architect Gregory Ain, the 1938 home was restored and updated by owner Brooke Anderson. The kitchen was opened up and the master bath was also given a redo, while the exterior eaves remain supported by skinny posts and landscape architect Judy Horton added a finishing touch.

Morgan House

The Morgan House in Hancock Park, 1917, is a study in architect Irving Gill’s homage to concrete as a modern material. Restorations add clerestory windows and skylights. The living room boasts a Batchelder-tile fireplace.

Homes in Ojai, Santa Monica, La Jolla and other locales are also featured.

Woods’ previous books also feature area homes. Among them is “Classic Homes of Los Angeles.”

The book sells for $45 and is published by Rizzoli New York. Visit rizzoliusa.com.

Author talk at Ebell May 5

BOOK shows how artful living comes in all sizes.

BOOK shows how artful living comes in all sizes.

Douglas Woods, author of “Classic Homes of Hancock Park,” will speak about his new book at the Ebell of Los Angeles on Mon., May 5 at a noon luncheon. Tickets are $25 for Ebell members and $30 for non-members.

The talk is co-sponsored by the Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society. For tickets and more information, go to www.ebelleventtickets.com/.

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Category: Real Estate

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