THE residence of Philip Shaffer, 10400 Leavitt Street, is one of the most distinctive and beautiful new homes on the Ridge. Spanish architecture is used with excellent results for both the exterior and interior of the dwelling, with Spanish plaster finish for the outside, with a patio effect between the house and the garage, tall arched windows, iron grills and massive doors.
The entrance is on the north side, under a portico set with arches and joined by a wall to the garage, designed and finished like the house, behind which is the patio. The door itself is in Spanish design, made of cypress and with heavy iron hinges and opens to a hall. The openings from this are all arched.
The living room, on the north, is large and finished in a green toned rough plaster. A large fireplace made of Bedford stone occupies a central position in the south wall with built-in shelves for books, under an arch, on the right, and a wide arched doorway on the left leading to the dining room. The trim is antique ivory and the fixtures and curtain poles are of polychromed wrought iron. The windows, throughout the house, are steel framed with the plaster extending outward to the frames, so that no wood is used for the casements.
The dining room, on the southeast, is done in grey tones of rough plaster with ivory wood trim. Large windows of Spanish design give exposures on the south and east sides.
The solarium, on the northwest, is done in Venetian red with a tile floor and is connected with the dining room and living room by French doors.
The kitchen is found on the southwest corner and is equipped with a breakfast nook and electric refrigeration. It opens to a small rear porch, which is arched to match the general design of the house.
The staircase, leading from the reception hall, divides a few steps from the top with short flights leading to the north and south, thus dividing the upper floor into two distinct sections. The largest bedroom is found on the southeast, and has three exposures. A sand finish is used for the walls, done in salmon tones with ivory trim. The bath, done in grey-green tile, occupies the southwest corner. Two other bedrooms are found on the north, both attractively finished, and across the entire west side of the upper floor is an open deck. Another open deck is found on the northeast, and is used as a promenade by the guardian of the household, a large and very belligerent Airedale.
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