Press ESC to close

A. W. Anderson Home

Address: 10629 S Longwood Dr
Published In: Weekly Review (1923-1928)

HE residence of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur W. Anderson, 10629 Longwood Drive, pictured above, is one of the most unusual in interior design and decoration in the community. Mr. Anderson built and designed the home himself, carrying out his ideas to the last detail.

The house, although situated on a small lot, fits very well and provides much more space once inside than one would think possible from a view of the street. The entrance doorway is on the north side, opening onto a small and low, open porch. The entrance itself is attractive with iron grating over the glass part of the door and a copper lantern mounted above it.

Inside there is a short flight of stairs leading to an alcove of the living room that for all practical purposes forms a hall. The northwest corner of the structure contains the large living room and the southwest corner a dining room alcove which, when not in use, forms a spacious extension to the living room, almost doubling its capacity. Both rooms are finished in what Mr. Anderson calls an old ivory glaze over canvas, seven coats of paint being used to get the desired effect. The tones are a little darker and richer than those usually referred to as ivory and are quite attractive. Long casement windows that open outward provide plenty of light and ventilation and also a pleasant break in the usual monotony of window styles. The wood trim in all the rooms has been treated to give it the same colors as those which adorn the walls. The walls in the living rooms and dining alcove are paneled and around the top borders there is a frieze instead of the usual molding. The window drapes and portieres hung at the sides of the partition between the two rooms are of slightly deeper tones than the wall colors and harmonize with them very well. Radiators along the west walls of these front rooms are hidden by window seats of unusual cabinet work made by Mr. Anderson himself, who has a complete woodworking shop fitted up in part of the basement to indulge his hobby.

Twin bedrooms occupy the east side of the home and are gained through the entrance alcove, which leads to an inner hall. Opening from the inner hall on the north is a white-tiled bath room completely equipped with a modern shower arrangement, on the south to a rear entrance and the kitchen, also finished in white, and on the east to the twin bedrooms. The bedrooms also have the glaze finish and panels and casement windows and both are equipped with double wardrobe closets with a window in each.

A basement extends under all of the house and is completely finished in plaster, equipped with a laundry, work shop, fruit cellar and a hot water heating plant. Above, there is a small attic, which is entered from the rear hall.

The exterior of the house is done in grey, sand finish stucco, with blue and cream wood trim for the window casements. The roof is of colored asbestos shingles laid in a plaid effect. A flag-stone walk and drive are attractive features, the latter leading to a garage finished the same as the house. The rear of the property is enclosed with a high cement wall, designed in keeping with the main structure.

Original Article