From real estate office to living home | property of Mr. George N. Doehleman, North Hollywood

THE dilemma of many weary people pounding pavements in hope of finding a place to live, in the midst of an acute housing shortage, is well known to all. That's why it's heartening to find how many ways there are of solving the problem. The George Doehlemans are a case in point. Their new home was once a real-estate office, and a small one at that! Nevertheless, since it was designed by an architect, and had really good lines, the Doehlemans found it exactly right for their needs. Happy also was the fact that this tiny building, 20 by 24 feet, had been placed on the site of an old apricot orchard. There's a pleasant, rural feeling which is enhanced by a magnificent pepper tree. A bedroom was tucked into the front corner of the original single room, and a shower added to the plumbing facilities in the rear. The building of a small but efficient kitchen was all that was needed for setting up housekeeping in earnest. Inside walls, built of wallboard, were given a coat of soft apple green. Mrs. Doehleman was especially pleased to find that her furnishings fitted most naturally into this simple background. In one corner went a cupboard with open shelves, forming a handy spot for china, while the lower part was just right for linen storage. Six persons can be comfortably seated at meals by simply raising the leaf of the tiger-maple dropleaf table.

In the garden, the owner transformed an unkempt back yard into a perfectly charming paved terrace. Every brick was laid by Mr. Doehle- man. A crude board fence and tool shed gained stature by a simple coat of whitewash. With its white metal furniture, and colorful navy-and-red canvas upholstery, it's an enticing spot for outdoor meals, and is just a few steps away from the kitchen. No one would dream that the house fronts a busy boulevard. No wonder the Doehlemans consider themselves fortunate! Although they rent the house, they've decided that some day they'll build a similar one, just two feet longer and two feet wider, a size they consider perfect for a home for two. Right now, in their comfortable and attractive converted real-estate office, they're quite content to sit out the present housing crisis.