Again, a glimpse of the unattainable

RE “ A Piece of Solitude on Loan” [Oct. 19]: We own a small two-bedroom, 900-square-foot home in Westchester, a dog, two fast-growing pre-teens, and at the moment are trying to make it on one income. Desperately needing to remodel, I called an architect this summer to see how we could add, at the minimum, another bath and bedroom. His reply to us was that our house does not “lend itself to evolution.” I thought that comment was beautiful and sad all at the same time, and this is the same reaction I have to your article on the Mahs’ house as a writers retreat. The bedroom looked like a painting, still, quiet and majestic. All the things my little house is not, nor do I think ever will be. It is inspiring yet at the same time really disturbing to read and see these pictures of these houses that are, for the majority of us in Los Angeles, completely unattainable. Thank you for including the side article on where some of our local writers actually write; it made me laugh and helped to ease the wistful, bitter taste that was left in my mouth. (Please note, I am in no way asking you to stop these features, just that every once in a while the beauty you highlight touches the heart in a rather painful way.)

LORI MORSE

Los Angeles

*

WOW. What a fantasy the Mahs are offering! A dream. I love what they are doing (and, of course, am pea green with envy!) for others.

RACHAEL NARINS

Beverly Hills