From the beginning the owners of this house were particularly eager to have a house that was exciting, both inside and out, and, at the same time, they wanted to hold construction costs to a minimum.
Knowing that out-of-the-ordinary building techniques invariably boost costs, the owners agreed on a plan to use only standard carpentry procedures, and no custom millwork. In addition they planned to do a good deal of the finishing work themselves. This included painting and staining the exterior and interior, and laying vinyl asbestos in the bedrooms and bathrooms.
Many of the ways in which costs were cut served to add rather than detract from the house-the exposed beam ceiling, the gypsum board walls accented with fir trim, the hardwood floors, the use of crystal instead of plate glass in the tall, narrow living room windows.
Because they specifically did not want a family room, the owners asked that the children's rooms be large and comfortable. Bathroom fixtures could be white rather than colored; the kitchen could be basic as long as it had a view.
The architects designed many finishing details to be done by the owners including the grillework on the front door and upstairs hall windows, the large bookcase in the living room, and the decks to the rear of the house.
Because the lot had been part of a garden belonging to the neighboring house, much of the landscaping was already in including several mature trees and shrubs.
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source: Sunset Books - Sunset Homes 1967
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