‘Modest,’ relative to a McMansion

AS a California native and someone who remembers when there was plenty of room along the coast for all, I love the unpretentious character of Tab Hunter’s house and grounds in Montecito [“Role of a Lifetime,” Oct. 18].

As a regular reader of The Times, I ask you to please reconsider referring to the house on such a wonderful property as “only 2,000 square feet” and “modest in size.” How much space do two grown men with two lean dogs need? I think the house is appropriately sized, and the perceived need for 4,000 to 5,000 square feet for a family of four is obscene. There is nothing peculiar about people who live in paradise making an effort to leave a lighter footprint.

Although I do not know Mr. Hunter’s reasons for retaining the original flavor of his property, I would like to congratulate him for recognizing that not all that is bigger is better, and sometimes less really is more. He says, “At first I thought the house was tiny, but I liked the feel of it.” I wish The Times had really heard what he said.

Dana Graner Hermosa Beach

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THANK you for the fascinating story on Tab Hunter’s home. I attended junior high with Tab and his brother, Walt. Tab looks the same as when he played Joe Hardy in “Damn Yankees!” almost 50 years ago!

Patricia Thomson

Cheviot Hills