Two blocks over, three blocks down.

Last Sunday, my girlfriend and neighbor Deb came running over, 'Ulla your favorite house is having an Open house!' (Truth be known, I call it a 'favorite', because I can tell that an artist has lived there, and that's the main attraction, I have other 'want to live there-favorites' but that's for a future post.) We jumped on our bikes and went to see. Open house is when all the neighbors get to see what your house looks like inside - right? Well that's what this felt like as everyone within a 4 block radius came to peek. This house, a re-done 20's California Craftsman is a treasure to behold. The previous owners did a complete 'artistic' overhaul with lots of asian and eastern influences. It's listed at $1,150,000.00. (Don't get any ideas now, "two blocks over, three blocks down" also means "a lot less then half that asking price!") After going through the house and garden we both decided that if we even had a couple of million to spare we would not want to buy this one. It's already been "done over". As artisits half the fun (or more than half in my case) when buying a house is re-doing it! But the ideas in this one were quite inspiring. Ceilings (my favorite touch) were wonderfully painted with gold leaf and murals. One had sweet little metal stars inlaid onto the wood beams. The front door is a 'to die for collage'!!! Built-ins were stenciled, (even the Fridge!) and there was lots of found salvage (asian and western) added everywhere. The kitchen 'furniture' instead of built-ins, (I love that idea), included a huge ancient chinese apothecary cabinet and a hand-painted mexican hutch. Glittery Mosaic floors were outstanding. The garden and pool house (there is a lap pool too!) were enchanting, a whole 'house' on its own. They even found space for 2 natural fountains, a wonderful drinking fountain made of old pottery, a mexican outdoor fire-place, a tiny sauna, a meditation room (photo above) and a slide that came off of a huge ceramic elephants back! (A bit much for my taste!) The house was a bit like a mouse-den inside, lots of tiny little spaces (some only a two year old could use) but fun. We did get a little dizzy going up and down the very narrow stairs. Somehow I forgot to photograph the outside, I see it so often, perhaps thats why... See link above for more details. It will be interesting to see how quickly it sells, as it needs someone 'special' to buy it. Perhaps you'll be tempted to be my neighbor, if not, at least enjoy the details...!