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The Susan and Antonio Vargas Residence

Details: Category: Architecture; Published on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 18:49; Written by Renee Montgomery

Located in Country Club Park, this Craftsman Victorian residence was commissioned in 1908 by Marcelin and Marie Mazet Eyraud, successful L.A. saloon keepers. With three stories of living space and basement, it is considered one of the masterpiece homes of architect John P. Krempel, who also designed the old Times Mirror building and Old Los Angeles Fire Engine Company #28. Eight bedrooms, maid’s quarters and a formal butler’s pantry located off the French kitchen give the house an imposing but homey quality. Various woods are featured in different rooms, including oak, walnut and redwood. Floor to ceiling windows on the first landing of the main staircase frame the Los Angeles city skyline – opposite a long row of charming linen closets. When very progressive Marcelin Eyraud ordered the home, he also asked Krempel to design the garage with a mechanic’s bay and unique second-story chauffeur’s quarters. ‘Sister’ to the Eyraud residence is Griffith Hall near USC, also designed by Krempel and originally the residence of John Tomilinson Griffith, who headed floral arrangements for the 1895 famed Fiesta parade, a precursor of today’s Tournament of Roses.