Clinkers, Tifals,...Clifals!

Sometimes clients inspire these entries, so when David & Gisa bought 2881 W. 15th ST (no, not 2892 W. 15th ST), they asked about their clinker brick porch, and I began to recount details of my post on Clinker Brick (see The Brick Pile 2/24/07).

"But really," I advised, "your porch combines clinker brick and stone, which is referred to as Peanut Brittle or Brickle."

"And are there many other examples of this," they asked, doubtless trying to spur a blog entry, mad picture taking, and some fossil fuel usage.

"More chimneys than porches," I responded coyly, "but there is one block--not far from here, with the greatest array of Arts & Crafts era masonry porches anywhere in the Southland."
"Here in West Adams," they asked taking the bait.
"No."
"In Pasadena," Gisa inquired, whilst David slyly abstained. My head fanned slowly back and forth.
"In Echo Park or Hollywood," she questioned, with slight irritation but growing intrigue.
"No," I answered finally, "in the Tifal Brothers Tract, the 600 block of East 52nd Place."

"The Tifal Brothers?"

Omniscient voice (is this to what 'heteroglossia' refers?): The Tifal brothers, Charles, Gustav, and William were designers and builders, immigrants from Posen of the then German Republic, who constructed over 350 bungalows in Los Angeles and another 100 in Monrovia where they were based, and where their work is most celebrated.

Charles Tifal (later partnered with Ralph Hurlburt) also had a long career (which included work in a range of styles) in San Diego where he is recognized by the Historical Resources Board as a Master Builder.

The Tifal Bros. Tract features examples of River Rock or Arroyo Stone porches, glazed bricks, Brickle, Tapestry (or multi-colored) Brick, and brick work laid in a seemingly chaotic, bond-less fashion, called Eccentric Brickwork.

The 600 block of E. 52nd Place is located between Avalon and McKinley.

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Tuesday's Open: 2892 W. 15th ST 11 am - 2 pm

Saturday

Sunday schedule: 2892 W. 15th ST.
Open 2 - 5 pm

This might be my final Sunday open for this property, given the high interest level and anticipated offers.

The Devil's in the Thingee Part 3

My parlor games failed, the bait was left to age and molder, a psychological gambit gone belly up.

Yeah, I got more pictures to share of the minutiae turned mania (even if y'all didn't come asking): criss-cross apple sauce, er bargeboards (please see earlier installments). Including our first single story participant (see above).

How about our first front gable/rear gable matched set (see opposite).

I think I've finally worked through this--whatever it is, and now I'm ready to obsess some more about the Stick style, broke down cars, serpentine bath fixtures--you know, the day in/day out stuff.

More Ads 4

More Ads from 1907. (See original entry on 1/27/2007, or subequent entries in March, 2007)

See bottom classified. The 4-room Modern Cottage at 1565 E. 52ND (ST.) is gone. An unremarkable box sits in its place, tacked together in 1962.

Meanwhile, the (equally) Modern 8-room house (second ad from the top) still shines despite alterations. The shade trees can be seen in rear, though not the barn. 1140 East Adams today (below).

Tuesday, April 29th

Tuesday, April 29th.

I'm holding open 2892 W. 15st ST today from 11 am - 3 pm, and from 6 - 7:30 pm.

Gone in 20 Minutes

Josh Berman continues full throttle on his restoration rampage. First he removed the asbestos siding from his Craftsman Bungalow (see Before and Just After, 3/4/08), next he began to strip moldings and casings (of paint). Saturday, he recruited me to help remove his front (so-called) security door. I issued my terms of engagement, "I'll need a grinder, extension cord, two cut-off wheels, and a take out order from the taqueria on Jefferson."

These metal doors are generally installed with one-way screws, impossible to back out even with bit and gun. My technique is to grind the screw heads off and then using a very large carpenter pull (see image left), twist them out. Ultimately we were able to tip the entire door construct (rigid frame and all) forward and off.


The recojedores, hip to the scrap resale opportunity, loitered just beyond the work scene, buzzard-like, puzzled--though not the least bit distracted, nor made introspective--by our bourgeoisie obsession with things pretty.

Once the grinder emerges, it's hard to holster. With missionary zeal, we sought to eradicate other blight. Neighbor Kathleen beckoned, "you can cut off my window bars, I'm tired of the penitentiary look."
"Ok," Josh commanded, "we'll need an extension cord, two cut-off wheels, and a take out order from the taqueria on Jefferson."

Timeless Craftsman

Craftsman masterwork designed by celebrated architect Frank M. Tyler in 1908. Maintained with supreme respect, boasting system upgrades, and timeless liveability. Like the best of Tyler's work, the house enjoys an unimpeded, light-optimizing layout, loaded with bay and bow windows, and a plethora of sought-after details including numerous storage-rich built-ins, beamed ceilings, and leaded glass. The living spaces, which include a bonus music room, are grounded by full, seductive woodwork, classic Arts & Crafts hues, and superb appointments. Bedrooms stress separation, comfort, and an airy radiance. The secluded backyard boasts numerous environments, delightful hardscaping, and mature trees. Advantageously nestled between midtown and downtown, in the acclaimed Harvard Heights Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, in greater West Adams. Mills Act eligible.

2892 W. 15th Street, Los Angeles CA 90006
4 bedrooms, 2 baths
2,644 sq. feet
year built: 1908
lot size 48 X 125
lot area 6,011
$759,000

Open Sunday, April 27th 2 - 5 pm
Open Tuesday, April 29th 11 am - 3 pm and 6 - 7:30 pm

The Fast and the Photographic

I was racing down Hauser when this apartment building caused the breaks on my truck to lock. Since I don't know how to do the Toyko Drift, I instead settled for a tire shredding screetch, and poorly composed photo.

I dub thee 'the Minaret Parapet', I announced to a few startled neighbors, one of whom wet her finger in order to write my plate number on a dirty car door. "Would you prefer the Deco drip," I bellowed as I sped away.

Most are suspicious of my picture taking. Some ask if I'm an appraiser. Few believe in my fandom. In East Adams, a woman yelled from her door, "Why are you taking a picture of my house?"
"It's a fantastic house, " I responded.
"Why are you taking a picture of it then?" she continued.

Many are concerned that I'm trying to capture their likeness, perhaps for deportation purposes. "I'm photographing turrets," I'll offer disarmingly (then show other images in the camera memory). Sometimes I tender my card, in a gesture people accept as legitimizing. "If you'd ever feel comfortable letting me in, I'd love to see the interior," I've asked.

One man responded, "Nobody gets in, not even mama."
"When was the last time somebody got in?" I inquired smiling.
"I lets the cable guy in," he returned, without a trace of humor, "he don't stay long."