THE residence of Mr. and Mrs. B. A. Carstens, 9129 Longwood Drive, is a good example of the California bungalow style of architecture and the interior arrangement presents some unusual features.
The entrance, which is on Longwood Drive, admits to the living room which extends across the front of the house. The floor plan is in general a T shape, giving this long room, which occupies a position that would correspond to the cross bar of the T, exposures on all four sides. The dining room arrangement is almost a part of this room. The east wall of the living room breaks, forming a sort of large alcove in the center, and this is the dining room. The north end of the living room is occupied entirely by a huge brick fireplace with small casement windows on each side and built-in book shelves below these.
An attractive feature is seen in the built-in seats at the north end, on each side of the fireplace. The seats can be opened and used for storage purposes. Both wall and hanging lights are used and these are of the lantern type.
The room is done in tones of tan and grey with walnut wood trim. This is varied in the dining alcove, where different shades are used and the walls here are paneled. The ceiling in the living room is beamed.
The dining room opens to a small interior hallway from which there is access to two first floor bedrooms and the kitchen. The bedrooms extend across the rear of the house and are augmented by a large sleeping porch.
The kitchen is on the north side and is conveniently arranged with built-in cupboards, and outside icing. The rear entry is found on this side, and opens to a small porch. There is one room upstairs, which is used as a bedroom.
All of the windows are of the casement type and the large closets are all cedar lined. An oil burning hot water plant is used for heat.
The exterior of the home is done in rough grey stucco with green wood trim. There are flower boxes about the windows all around the house, and these, with the many shrubs and trees, add pleasing color to the picture.
Original Article
