Irving Gill is often given at least default credit for the garden design of this house. Notably, there was no letter to the editor from him in the issue following this:

From The Architect and Engineer of California, April 1920

The Estate of Mr. W.L. Dodge, Hollywood, California

By George D. Hall, Landscape Architect

What impresses an Easterner most in viewing the architecture of California is the great variety of types--or perhaps they should be called type "suggestions"--that are to be found in the homes on the Pacific Coast. The dignity of the Colonial, the secluded English Manor, the heavy curving lines of the Moorish, and the flat roofed severity of the Spanish types are all to be found in Southern California. Whatever individual preference one may have as to type, the fact remains that the variety creates an interest to our sun flooded landscape.

People who live in these homes, however, are Americans, whose creature comforts and desire for all modern improvements must be met, and so all types must be adapted to the standards of American life to be truly successful homes.

This, therefore, presents a problem to the architect, and in the treatment of the grounds the type of house with its dominant note, should sound the key for the landscape architect in planning a development in keeping with the character of the house and yet adaptable to the outdoor life of Americans.

Seclusion and a feeling of restfulness are most desirable in a garden, but few Americans want a mournful aspect even though the house is Moorish.

The acre and a half estate which this article attempts to describe is of the Spanish house type, with severity of outline in its flat roof and cement walls, a freedom of mouldings or dust catching projections in its interior, but with large casement windows in the commodious, well appointed rooms that are a frank adaptation to the American love for light and air.

It is not the purpose of this article to describe in detail the interior attractions so admirably carried out by the architect, Mr. Irving J. Gill, of Los Angeles. A picture window with mahogany frame on the second floor through which one views the panorama of hills with their ever-changing lights and shades is worthy of an article by itself.

More particularly I would speak of the design and planting of the grounds for which Mr. Wilbur David Cook, Jr., landscape architect of Los Angeles, is responsible.

Leaving the highway, the private drive, with low entrance pillars upon which massive urns were planned, curves gently toward the vine-clad porte-cochere or arched construction, banked on either side with flowering shrubs, as shown in photograph 1.

Between the street and entrance, the views to either side of the drive show large expanses of open laws, with paths skirting the informal massing of shrubs and trees, deeply recessed in places so as to give added interest and a feeling of greater extent to the property. Photograph No. 2 illustrates this informal treatment of lawn and shrubbery, but does not show the vine-covered shelter on the axis line of the front door looking through the central arch of the porte-cochere, where a table and chairs suggest afternoon tea in this quiet, shady nook.

The drive after leaving the porte-cochere swings around an oval turn, while an off-shoot drive, concealed by massed shrubs, terminates in a gravel courtyard in front of the garage, and service entrance.

Stepping stones lead from this court to the house, traversing a little garden confined by a series of vine-covered arches. Picture 3 shows the outlook from the dining room window beyond this little garden, across the gravel court, and into the grape covered pergola beyond. At the end of this pergola an architectural aviary was planned, but unfortunately this has not yet been built, as much would be added to the interest of the vista by a strong terminal feature.

On the side opposite the porte-cochere, a glazed porch overlooks the patio, with its pool, while below the patio lies the simple formal garden, the size of which is so well proportioned to the house, and its axial lines so placed in reference to points of observation from within the house, that house and garden form a most happy composition.

In designing the garden Mr. Cook had very definite ideas. Oblong in shape, with high flanking hedges, a straight path plan, quiet restful pool, and simple pergola with small fountain and grill gates. How well these requirements have been met to form an attractive composition, the photographs illustrate better than words. The planting scheme so simple and yet so appropriate, one cannot but compliment Mr. Cook on his "restraint" against the so prevalent fault of overdoing, practiced by the commercial landscape architect.

Much planting, or confusion of planting, would have indeed been fatal to the spirit of this little garden, lying so close to its Spanish house as to be an outside living room. One feels that each factor in this garden is placed for a definite reason, and each does its part in a pleasing composition. The oriental touch given by the little mosaic fountain, beneath the wistaria covered pergola, actually impels one to go down the path for a close inspection, and then one notes the opening in the hedge leading to a formal box-bordered rose garden beyond. Beside this there is the vegetable garden, squash court and other features which makes this delightful home in Hollywood so full of interest and charm. The knowledge that only five short years ago the property was a waving wheat field adds additional wonder to what skillful design and a congenial climate have accomplished under a close co-operation between Owner, Architect and Landscape Architect.

Photograph Captions: (photos added as scannable copy becomes available -ed)

Estate of Mr. W.L. Dodge, Hollywood, California Irving J. Gill, Architect

The Use of Cocos Plumosa is a Most Happy Selection for This Little Garden

The Severity of This House is Rapidly Being Relieved by Vines

View from the Dining Room, Estate of Mr. W.L. Dodge Irving J. Gill, Architect