LOCALLA

The Dahlstrom House, 1949, John Lautner architect. Set on coveted Laguna Road in a neighborhood known for architectural gems, this beautifully preserved home is an extraordinary example of Lautner's early work. In describing a house designed by his mentor, Frank Lloyd Wright, Lautner said, "It just hit me, joy and repose, all at the same time. That's the kind of environment I like." This home is the embodiment of that statement: a serene retreat that surprises you with delights at every turn. The home opens into a wood-clad foyer and then guides you through a hallway of curving wood that reveals the spectacular living room, where a cantilevered steel ceiling floats above walls of glass. The room is anchored by a cylindrical concrete fireplace. A motif of circular forms runs throughout the home. The fireplace is echoed by a cylindrical bookshelf set into the corner glass wall, positioned behind a rounded concrete bench that passes through the glass. The curving wood-paneled walls of the hallway form the wall of a semicircular primary bedroom, whose wall slides open to the living room, bringing views of the garden and fireplace into the bedroom. From the living room, you can look through the open floorplan to the kitchen and a teak -walled office beyond. The floorplan has exceptional flow, with easy access to private outdoor space from every part of the home. The landscaping is impeccable, with Japanese-inspired gardens in front providing privacy from the street, and a massive stone pine standing sentry above the entrance. Uncharacteristic for homes of this period, there is abundant storage space throughout. A beautifully preserved home by one of the most important architects of the 20th-century.