A lovely home in San Marino, California | architecture, ladnscape and design: Bob Ray Offenhauser

Peering over the landscaped knoll shown above, the passerby has no doubt about the inspiration of the house just beyond. The slope of its shingle roof is classic Japanese. The site itself, only 100' wide by 130' deep, is plotted in the Japanese manner, with cleverly conceived gardens and terraces adjacent to all principal rooms. In the same mood, too, are the sliding screens, the varied textures, the waxed wood finishes and the finely wrought architectural details. Yet, for all its Oriental spirit, this California house is really contemporary U.S.A. The plan skillfully separates living and sleeping areas, and decorative screens and walls shut out the surrounding neighborhood. With only five main rooms the house seems spacious. Every foot of the small site is put to good use. Today's living demands such intensive planning,