A long, long time ago in a far away land, visionary artists crafted charming homes that captured the imagination and inspired whimsy.
That time was the 1920s, and that far away land is Los Angeles, California. And those captivating, whimsical homes are dubbed storybook houses.
As Hollywood’s influence flourished, audiences leaped at the opportunity to live life in idyllic homes like those on the movie sets. This imaginative architectural style–known as “provincial realism” or, storybook houses–features all things fairytale: turrets, rolled eaves, steep roofs, detailed stonework, unique doors, and decorative chimneys. Each custom storybook house boasts enough character to earn top billing in a movie.
While most storybook houses are confined to Southern California, a few managed to take up residence elsewhere–including Seattle.
Fifteen years ago, two visionary homeowners purchased a historic Seattle home sorely in need of care. The owners invited Gelotte Hommas Architect Eric Drivdahl to work with them to remodel and restore whimsy to their storybook home.
Eric revived the Seattle storybook home’s enchanting rolled eaves with a custom cedar-shingled roof and an expanded master bedroom complete with an inviting balcony. The Gelotte Hommas Drivdahl team worked with the residents to contract with artisan roofers to steam and conform each shingle to the curve of the roof.
They also transformed a closed, dark attic space into an open, airy master bedroom with both a Juliet balcony and an inviting full balcony–perfect for a cup of coffee on a warm summer morning!
