Monday, April 6, 2009

San Diego 1935: Casa de Tempo.....

The Casa de Tempo was a large California-Monterey style model home located on the west side of the California-Pacific International Exposition's Avenida de Espana, on the former site of the 1915-16 exposition's Cristobal Café; immediately north of the Palace of Foods and Beverages, and east of the Japanese Tea Garden. The sprawling two-level residence, designed by the architectural firm of Jackson & Hamill, contained twelve rooms; in addition to four bathrooms, a powder room, and an adjoining two-car garage. The entire home was valued at $50,000, which included the modified Georgian-style "Tempo" furnishings, provided by Barker Brothers of Los Angeles. At the front of the home, a wide Colonial-style door opened into an oval entrance hall, containing a curving stairway leading to the second floor. Two large doorways, located at either end of the hall, opened into the formal dining room on the left; and a spacious living room, with fireplace, on the right. A square library, paneled in burl-finished "Presdwood" attached with horizontal copper stripping, opened at the front of the living room; and two sets of French-doors provided access to a broad terrace located at the rear of the home. Adjoining the formal dining room was a modern kitchen and pantry, which connected to an airy breakfast room, laundry room, and maid's room with bath. The first floor also contained a large powder room and coat closet, opening from the oval entrance hall. On the second floor were two large bedrooms, with connecting compartmented bath; in addition to a spacious master suite, complete with attached boudoir and two full bathrooms. A long narrow balcony, situated at the front of the residence, opened from the master bedroom and stair hall; and a tiled open-air deck, located over the laundry and maid's rooms, was accessed from the rear bedroom. Featured throughout the home were the latest trends in modern design and comfort, which included natural gas heating with central ventilation system, a natural gas range and refrigerator, vitreous china sinks and sanitary fixtures, chrome-plated red brass plumbing fixtures, "Carrara" structural glass tile, "Presdwood" paneling, cushioned flooring, textured carpeting, aluminum window blinds, acoustical plaster, long-lasting paint, and composition shingle roofing.

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