Putting the craft back in a Craftsman
This Craftsman-turned-convalescent home in the Hollywood foothills has been restored as a single-family residence through the efforts of Dan Rich, his father, Kelvin, and their friend, Manuel Hernandez.
The three spearheaded a two-year project to make the house look much as it did when it was built in 1914.
Like the Greene brothers who worked on the site of Pasadena homes they built during the Arts and Crafts movement at the turn of the century, the three men’s crew of artists, craftsmen and carpenters set up stained-glass, cabinetry and metal shops on the Hollywood property to create their own light fixtures, hardware, windows and doors. The crew also made more than 40 leaded-glass windows and numerous skylights.
Several truckloads of native hardwoods, salvaged by individuals who search out fallen old-growth trees and retrieve them from riverbeds and forest floors, were shipped from Northern California for use in the house.
Recycled woods also were used in building the home, which has floors of tan oak and madrono and ceilings of alder.
About this house: The kitchen has a restored antique stove and handmade tiles, but not everything in the house has returned to 1914. The residence now has a central sound system and is wired for telecommunications. These were inspired by Dan Rich, who worked as a sound editor on such films as “Braveheart,” “Air Force One” and “Jerry Maguire.”
“I now devote my energy full time to my passion for historic renovation,” said Rich, who earned his real estate broker’s license so he could list the house.
Asking price: $1.95 million.
Size: The house has three bedrooms plus an office and 2.5 bathrooms in about 2,600 square feet.
Features: Hand-finished oak and more than 40 custom light fixtures are just some of the Craftsman-style amenities in the house, which also has built-in cabinets, a roll-top desk and a pantry with wine storage.
Where: The house is in the Hollywood foothills, across the street from a home long owned by the late actor Orson Welles.
Listing agent: Dan Rich, Emerald Real Estate, Santa Monica, (310) 394-7253.
