Cotten-Elliot House, Roy D. Cotten, Builder 1991

Cotten-Elliot House, Roy D. Cotten, Builder 1991, a photo by Michael Locke on Flickr.

Roy Dennis Cotten designed the De Stijl-inspired house for himself and Claudia Elliott in 1991. The abstract design attains an aesthetic balance using projecting and receding boxes enveloped in monochromatic grey. The house, perched on a hillside above Griffith Park Boulevard in the Franklin Hills of Los Angeles, California, can be seen from a great distance. Located at 2216 Ronda Vista Drive.

Los Angeles Poolside

Los Angeles Poolside, a set on Flickr.

There is nothing that symbolizes the Southern California lifestyle quite as much as the "backyard oasis" of a swimming pool. When the opportunity presents itself, I plan on taking more photos like these to share with you the experience of living in Los Angeles.

Morris House, Horatio Warren Bishop, Architect 1934

Morris House, Horatio Warren Bishop, Architect 1934, a photo by Michael Locke on Flickr.

Walled and gated Mediterranean Revival Estate designed for Thomas J. Morris in the storied Los Feliz Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles. The architect, Horatio W. Bishop was a member of the American Institute of Architects between 1931 until his passing in 1991. He was supervisory architect (along with Carlton M. Winslow) for the architectural firm Cook and Hall on the planning and development of Carthay Circle, Los Angeles' first neighborhood to have underground utilities. He was partners with the great Irving Gill between 1922 and 1923. The pair stylized themselves as Bishop and Gill, and had an office in San Diego. The Morris House is located at 2172 E. Live Oak Drive; it recently (April 2012) came on the market listed for $2,395,000.

Morris House, Horatio Warren Bishop, Architect 1934

Morris House, Horatio Warren Bishop, Architect 1934, a photo by Michael Locke on Flickr.

Walled and gated Mediterranean Revival Estate designed for Thomas J. Morris in the storied Los Feliz Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles. The architect, Horatio W. Bishop was a member of the American Institute of Architects between 1931 until his passing in 1991. He was supervisory architect (along with Carlton M. Winslow) for the architectural firm Cook and Hall on the planning and development of Carthay Circle, Los Angeles' first neighborhood to have underground utilities. He was partners with the great Irving Gill between 1922 and 1923. The pair stylized themselves as Bishop and Gill, and had an office in San Diego. The Morris House is located at 2172 E. Live Oak Drive.

Elvad House, Paul Kingsbury, Architect 1927

Elvad House, Paul Kingsbury, Architect 1927, a photo by Michael Locke on Flickr.

The house recently (April 2011) came on the market, listed for sale @ $1,895,000. The realtor's description reads, "Quintessential courtyard Spanish villa designed by architect Paul Kingsbury in 1927. The 3 bed/ 3 bath plus den home has been meticulously restored & updated with great attention to detail. Updated systems, gourmet kitchen, high-end custom finishes inside and out, Walker Zanger tile, custom period fixtures, polished magnesite dining room floor, sunroom off master, living room & backyard tile fireplaces, professional landscaping, 2 fountains with custom Malibu tile, built in BBQ, 3 balconies with reclaimed French terracotta tile. Large 2-car garage with direct entry and a generous basement used for wine, laundry, storage."

Located at 3428 Amesbury Road in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Michael Locke's photostream

Michael Locke's photostream on Flickr.