A Lifetime of Stories to Tell - Page 2
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"Elynor purchased directly from architect Lloyd Ruocco and his wife, Ilse—who were like the Charles and Ray Eames of San Diego—the Chicago Furniture Mart, or Herman Miller in L.A.," explains York.
Ilse operated an interior design office that was located in the San Diego Design Center, an emporium that was based in San Diego on Fifth Avenue and Brookes in Hillcrest, today a designated historical building that was designed by Lloyd himself."
Located in the Monticello community, near Solana Beach schools, the 1,831-square-foot home includes three bedrooms and two baths, and stands as a superb example of mid-century modern residential architecture.
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A unique cruciform layout allows for maximum airflow, and preserves the privacy of the bedrooms and baths from the open living spaces. A stunning, see-through fireplace and raised hearth warms the home, while glass window walls infuse the interior with natural light.
The indoor-outdoor design leads to a kidney-shaped pool, a charming teahouse, and lovely garden spaces; and you can look out to ocean views from the kitchen and carport.
York comments that Hester favored black gloss laminate countertops, and noticed the same complement of original cabinet pulls in another one of his homes recently.
A few years after the Renshaw house was built, Hester teamed up with architect Robert Jones to design homes for the American Housing Guild.
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"The American Housing Guild and Mortgage Company had the housing biz in its entirety," explains York, "not only selling homes but also offering mortgages to home buyers."
Hester & Jones built four tracts of 'American Housing Guild Homes,' offering three variations of post-and-beam homes in wood and glass, with one award-winning 1961 variation known as the 'Subdivision House.'
Considering a life well lived, York says, "Buzz was a complete character in the neighborhood. I've never gotten a sense that he was an attorney."
"Neighbors will say, 'Oh, he raised chickens, raised orchids, planted tomatoes—never once mentioning that he was an attorney."
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York adds, "In fact, completely counter to the 'Mad Men' depiction of the businessman who ends his day with a martini at work, Renshaw went home to his family."
What better way to show the true satisfaction Renshaw felt in living his best life the modernist way.
For more photos and info on the Renshaw house, click here.
