Are we in the Valley?

Quick updates today.  Remember that monstrocity in Lunada Bay that I wrote about (more here) ?  Well, my fears were confirmed when I checked out the progress being made.  Here's what the first of the two homes looks like as of last week.

 (Source: NJC)

(Source: NJC)

This is a cartoon of a home if I ever saw one.  It's a block.  Well, three blocks.  With windows.  Lots of them.  Close together.  Doors.  Lots of them.  Close together too.  And the three car garage!  The siting and massing of this house is atrocious!  And what's more, rather than even attempting to have any semblance of authenticity by say, painting the home white and using a deeper red tile, the home is yellow.  With orange tile.  I mean, if you're going to go with something that is overly simple, at least do it well.  This home is a McMansion.  The kind you normally find in the Valley or Riverside County.  It does not belong on a bluff top lot in PV.

If the owner/builders were going for the symmetric, stately yet informal, balanced facade look, they could have gone with this home below which was built last year in Beverly Hills.  While this home too is imperfect, it still is head and shoulders above the Paseo del Mar McMansion!

 (Source: NJC)

(Source: NJC)

This example is a simplified, somewhat symmetric and balanced facade. The BH home has the right color palette.  Better massing.  The design is restrained, graceful even.  Sufficient white space.  Etc.

What do you all think?



Also, one other quick update.  The other home I wrote about is nearly complete - and its a beauty!
You remember this one? Well here it is, all grown up!

(Source: NJC)

We need more homes likes this!  Unique, authentic designs.