We close on our new house this week

[cleanteamofny]

I wish you and your mate the best in your new home!
I just hope that the last owners didn't cut corners when they remodled causing you to complete what they didn't do in the first go round!
Have fun furnishing everyroom and smile when it is done....

I'm happy in my new home and well rested.
Don't forget, give yourselves time to put everything in place.
I'm not done yet, but slowly getting there!

 

[hydralique]

Mellenthin . . .

The spelling is Mellenthin, and the first name of the builder was William. Most of the Mellenthin characteristics were used by many builders in the '50s, but he was one of the largest in the San Fernando Valley. Such attention to detail is nice, and started to get lost in the '60s when mass-market homebuilders found it cheaper to go "Mediterranean" and replace all the exterior wood with bad stucco. The name of the original builder should be on the original permit; if there isn't a copy in your documentation the L.A. Dept. of Building and Safety will have one at the Van Nuys civic center complex.

Be glad you don't have the shake roof: it's now illegal to install one in the City of Los Angeles, and you can only replace a certain percentage each year (10% I think) as a part of regular maintenance. I had clients in Hancock Park with a lovely pre-war Tudor home who refused to give up their shake roof when it got bad. They ended out having a roofer replace the maximum amount each year, so they effectively get a new roof every decade or so.

Regarding guttering, it is pretty much required for a permit now, but wasn't in the past so not all older homes in L.A. have it. In the case of a house like this it obscures the exposed decorative rafter tails so one can trade off a couple of months of muddy ground for a whole year of a prettier house.

 

[dogboy44]

Best Wishes from Van Nuys

hey neighbor, that is a nice place! We have your house in various forms all over the neighborhood here, the have a good flow, comfortable, and most of all, well built. I bet you got a deal with what is going on. best,

 

[sudsman]

Beautiful place

Wish you many years of joy!