Property of Mr. and Mrs. Melchor Ferrer | Pacific Palisades, California | Architect Kenneth Lind | Photos Herbert Matter & Julius Shulman

The lot was long and narrow, quite ordinary except for the steep incline at its rear. Perched high on a hilltop, it was the butt of strong prevailing sea breezes, a factor which, if uncontrolled, might cause future inhabitants acute discomfort. That's why Kenneth Lind, the architect, decided on placing the house lengthwise, with only the kitchen, bath, and service rooms, with their high, small windows, exposed to the west. He had planned and built the house for an imaginary owner and, for this reason, had treated the problem from an idealistic point of view. By locating the one-room-wide house almost on the property line, space was made for a garden sheltered from the annoying wind and enclosed on two sides by a decorative redwood fence. To gain extra privacy from the street, the garage was placed in front, a short distance from the house, and was connected by a roofed breezeway and the fence. This area has been paved with flagstone and acts as an entryway and terrace. To add unity to the street elevation, the horizontal lines of the terrace fence were repeated in the double garage doors. Redwood battens, running vertically and horizontally, have been used on the exterior walls, given a coat of rubbed white-wash which gives the walls a weathered driftwood finish. Only the bright-red entrance door was used as color accent. The east wall of the large living-dining room is composed of large, square-paned glass running from floor to exposed sloping ceiling. Thus, one gets an uninterrupted view of the attractive garden beyond. Mr. Lind, in common with present-day modern architects, is forever experimenting with new methods of construction. This all-wood house was erected by using a modular system of semiprefabrication. Though plaster was used in the bedrooms, plywood constitutes the principal interior finish; this, in many cases, was left natural and given a protective surfacing for easy cleaning. Actually, the house is one-room wide, with room following room in railway fashion. One room, facing the street, is used as a many-purpose area for either guest, study, or maid. A narrow kitchen has its own outside entrance directly from the street. Interior walls of living room are a combination driftwood, gray, white, and terra cotta. This latter tone, used as background for a checked stud design on the fireplace walls, is ideal for showing off much-prized modern ceramics and pottery. Floors in most rooms are of oak. though in the living room and bedrooms this has been covered with wall-to-wall straw matting.

Though the house was not planned especially for its present owners, Mr. and Mrs. Melchor Ferrer, they find that it is exactly right for their way of living. Because of their two small children they are especially delighted with the enclosed garden so necessary for that all-important feature-outdoor living-part and parcel of every self-respecting California home. Mr. Ferrer, after a strenuous day as director at the David O. Selznick studio, finds the combination covered terrace plus garden a satisfying medium for entertaining. The staggered plywood fence acts as protective barrier against the steeply graded rear part of the lot and adds warm color background for border planting.

Large window wall overlooks garden, garage, covered terrace. Walls in living-dining room are of driftwood- gray plywood with horizontal battens.

Decoration by Mercedes Matter has monastic dignity and simplicity. Study, with gray walls and yellow-and-white accents, often substitutes as guest room.

Graceful metal mobile hanging from exposed rafters of master bedroom casts everchanging shadows on walls. Draperies are white with green edging.