Out of the many great architectural styles that I admire the one I love the most is Storybook Style. This style originated in Hollywood, CA in the 1920's. It just makes me happy.
Left is a pic of one of the more famous Storybook Homes, commonly referred to as the 'Witches House'. Built in 1921 by Oscar-nominated Hollywood art director Harry Oliver , the structure originally served as offices and dressing rooms for Culver City-based silent film company Willat Studio. It is now a privately owned home located in Beverly Hills
Oliver designed many sets, homes and commercial buildings, some of which still survive today as Los Angeles Landmarks, like Tam O'Shanters Inn, a restaurant located in the Los Feliz neighborhood.
The best Storybook, or Fairytale, buildings feature highly stylized and detailed roofs made of traditionally wooden, or in more modern times, composite shingles made to mimic wood. The design utilizes multi-colors and layers to create whimsical patterns and, in some cases, dips and waves to effect a sunken or otherwise misshapen roof line, such as the one below. Unfortunately, qualified professionals capable of creating such artistry are becoming vary rare and these beauties are at risk of losing some of their charm as replacment costs are becoming increasingly prohibitive.
The house to the right is located in Long Beach, CA.
Located in Olalla, Washington, the Story Book House below was created as a homage to Hansel & Gretel. More pics and info on the home is at: http://unusuallife.com/2007/02/20/storybook-house/
More on Storybook Style Architecture is available at: http://storybookers.com , a site by John Robert Marlow, who literally wrote the book on this subject, 'Storybook Style: America's Whimsical Homes of the Twenties'.
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