Golden Statement : The Arts and Crafts movement from the turn of the century gave us a distinct design identity, and the style has gained favor in recent years. The Laguna Beach house of the Eliel family reflects this California heritage.

"A feeling of homogeneousness is missing in architecture locally. When you're in a village in France, you know you're in France. When you're in Switzerland, Italy or England, you know where you are. Here, you're not quite sure where you are architecturally. We keep looking past our great California heritage that some of the original architects in the area used."

"At the turn of the century, California design meant cozy bungalows on large yards that complemented this area's incredible climate and natural resources. There were Craftsman bungalows, as well as Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial and other styles that used references from other lands but still created a house that was particular to California."

"Inside and out, their home in a secluded canyon in Laguna Beach is a reflection of things Californian: The structure itself is a simple wood-frame house; the furnishings and paintings are from the Arts and Crafts movement; the plantings are indigenous to this area."

At the turn of the century, California design encompassed Craftsman bungalows and styles like Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial that reflected the region's climate and natural resources. The California Arts and Crafts movement flourished with artisans creating furniture, lamps, and pottery from natural materials. Over 90 years, authentic California home design has largely disappeared, with remaining examples concentrated in older neighborhoods like Tustin, Santa Ana, and Laguna Beach. Modern Orange County housing increasingly draws European inspiration. Alan Blake Eliel's Laguna Beach home deliberately revives Craftsman ideals through its simple wood-frame structure, Arts and Crafts furnishings, and indigenous plantings, addressing the lack of architectural identity in the region.

Read at Los Angeles Times