Casa California: Spanish-Style Houses from Santa Barbara to San Clemente

by Elizabeth McMillian, Melba Levick (Photographer)

This book showcases Southern California's most historically significant and beautifully preserved Spanish-revival houses of this century. Twenty-one private homes built between 1922 and 1991 are featured in stunning color photography that captures exterior and interior architectural details, Spanish and Mexican antique furnishings and folk art, and lush landscaping and tiled fountains. Among these are the Adamson House in Malibu, with its extraordinary collection of custom tile from Malibu Potteries; the contemporary Greenberg House in Brentwood, by Ricardo Legorreta; The Andalusia Courtyard Apartments in Hollywood; and Casa Pacifica, the former home of Richard Nixon, overlooking the ocean in San Clemente. Brief narratives highlight the history of each building and its design sources, while the introduction traces historical and cultural influences on the Spanish-revival movement in California.

Genres: Nonfiction, Architecture

208 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 1996

Reviews

[David Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction is smart and concise, followed by beautiful and diverse examples of Spanish Colonial revival architecture. Good commentary throughout.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. I'd planned to move to Santa Barbara so I could work on homes like these, but ended up in the Bay Area instead. I draw inspiration for tile detailing for backsplashes, stair treads and other goodies from the photos. If colorful tiles, dark woods, stucco, and wrought iron are your thing, then you might be the target audience.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the variety and character of photos from the Malibu tile fountains to Ricardo Legorreta's bold colors.
The book showcases how architects and developers used Andalusian designs to help sell California land with the allure of the hacienda and it's romantic style.

[CD]

If you have a spanish style house and want to see some excellent examples of what a restored hacienda looks like, this is the book for you. Lovely photos and great houses.