176 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
May, 1912 
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house showing the charming patio 
A California Home 
the distinction of its 
excellent design makes 
it a house worthy of note and one 
which will furnish many points of sug- 
gestion to other home builders. This 
house is owned by Mr. I. E. Levi, at 
Cupertino, and is situated in a valley 
that commands a view of Mt. Ham- 
ilton, some thirty-six miles away. ‘The 
interesting external features of the 
house may be seen from a glance at the 
accompanying illustrations, but when 
the planting is further advanced the 
premises will be even more delightful 
and inviting. It would not be 
strictly correct to describe this house as 
a bungalow inasmuch as it has two 
stories, one the plan of which is shown 
here and a second story, which con- 
tains two large open-air sleeping- 
Dining-room, with view of Mt. Hamilton, 36 miles distant 
MONG the many hospitable homes the tray- 
eler finds in California is one of especial 
attraction by reason of its excellent plan 
and thorough livableness, which added to 
aj 
By Roger L. Vieth 
rooms, a dressing-room and a lavatory. The woodwork of 
Mr. Levi’s house is especially beautiful. Some hint of this is 
to be gained from the illustrations of a corner of the dining- 
room and of the fireplace side of the living-room shown 
herewith. The views from the great 
windows commanding the surrounding 
countryside of the valley are very 
lovely and the owner of this beautiful 
home in California has left nothing 
undone to make the premises homelike 
and interesting. 
Not the least interesting thing about 
this house is the fact that the owner, 
who designed and built it himself, de- 
vised an earthquake-proof foundation 
which has demonstrated its practicabil- 
ity in already withstanding a severe 
shock. Six weeks from the time Mr. 
Levi started his house he was living in 
it! To effect this rapid construction, 
and to do it thoroughly and with 
safety, twenty carpenters, two masons, 
two hod-carriers, several plumbers, 
electricians and laborers were employed. 
The great living-room with its beamed effective ceiling 
