A historic home in La Verne, CA, The Kuns House typifies the Craftsman style, which rose to prominence in the late 1800s and remained popular through the 1930s. In its simplicity and honesty of materials, Craftsman-style architecture was a rebellion against what had come before it—the decorative (and some would say overwrought) Victorian style that'd come before.
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Past Is Prologue
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Exterior
In restoring the masonry portions of the home's exterior, expert masons took pains to retain what stone could be salvaged. And when that wasn't possible, they sourced new stones from the quarry where, a hundred years prior, the granite had originally been sourced.
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Natural Woods
Craftsman style always placed an emphasis on wood. In that way, the Kuns House dutifully upholds the Craftsman tradition, with wood floors, doors, and wainscoting. The restorationists worked hard to refinish the century-old walnut and maple throughout. It's a testament to their skill that today, the place looks much as it must have a century ago.
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Historic Details
"I've put so much into the Kuns home—probably more than I should have—but I wanted the work, the granite, the colors, the lighting to be of consistent quality, and details reflect the historic period. Everything is historic, inside and outside. There are even 10-foot ceilings with vaulted arches on the main floor," says Ray Adamyk, founder and president of the Spectra Company, the group responsible for the restoration.
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The Kitchen
All plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems were upgraded. So, too, was the kitchen, which now boasts period cabinetry, granite counters, white marble flooring, stainless appliances and a breakfast nook.
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The Wine Cellar
In the basement, a vault door opens up to a wine cellar that was once a coin collector's It once housed a coin collector’s vault.
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The Patio
The outdoor space includes stone walls, majestic oak, xeriscape landscape, and a private patio courtyard.
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On the Market
Completed two months ago, the home remains on the market for $1.6 million. And it’s turning heads: Sotheby’s reports that potential buyers are inquiring about it weekly. Much of the credit for that belongs to the skilled artisans who carefully brought the place back to life.
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