The Adamson House — Long Story Short

Everyone knows that I love a good throwback and this Thursday had me thinking about all the fun (and often ridiculous) things I used to do. When I was in college, sorority formals were the best events to attend. Every semester we dressed up and pretended that we were important by taking ridiculous photos in and around Malibu. Out of all the many locations we used, the Adamson House was my favorite by far.

As I said I would do in my last post, I want to highlight this resplendent location. The Adamson House is one of the only historical heritage sites still in tact in Malibu. Contrary to popular belief, there is more to Malibu's past than Baywatch and Nobu. Malibu's history is a story of wealth, power, and legal battles that is comparable to an episode of The O.C..

Original Map of Rancho Topanga-Malibu-Sequit, courtesy of The Adamson House Foundation

Malibu was originally inhabited by the Chumash Indians until the Spanish occupation of California turned it into Rancho Topanga-Malibu-Sequit. After California was ceded to the United States, the Rancho changed owners multiple times. In 1892, Frederick Rindge bought the ranch for $10 an acre and created what is known as Malibu today. Shortening the name to Rancho Malibu, Rindge and his wife May envisioned an "American Riviera" and wanted to keep the functional 13,000 acre farm as a private place for their family. Unfortunately for May, Frederick died in 1905 leaving her to run (and defend) their property.

The Rindge Family, courtesy of The Adamson House Foundation

May Rindge was a resilient woman and did everything in her power to keep her precious rancho in tact. When the Pacific Railroad wanted to put a railway up the coast through her property, she built her own private railroad on the ranch instead. A little known clause in California law stated that no two railways could be built parallel to each other within a certain distance. May cleverly utilized the loophole and built her private railway to keep the government off of her land.

Construction of the Malibu Railway circa 1907, courtesy of Pepperdine University Digital Archive

Malibu Railway circa 1915, courtesy of Pepperdine University Digital Archive

Unfortunately, the public's desire to gain access to "the Malibu" led to increased pressure from the government to open up the Rancho. In 1923, after years of fighting the California State government in court, Mrs. Rindge lost the battle to keep a public roadway from filleting the coastline from the inland part of her property. For years, May delayed construction but inhibiting workers to gain access to the Ranch. After nearly 6 years of delays and distractions, the Roosevelt Highway (now know as the Pacific Coast Highway) finally opened and "The Queen of Malibu," May's sobriquet given to her by the press, lost the rights to her fiefdom.

Postcard of the Roosevelt Highway circa 1929, courtesy of Pepperdine University Digital Archive

May Rindge had accumulated a massive amount of debt during her legal battles with the State and had to recoup her losses. She began renting beachside land plots in the Malibu Colony, which became an enclave for Hollywood's elite to escape the city. Additionally, she used the rich clay that she discovered on the land to start Malibu Potteries. This venture was lucrative and produced some of America's most unique and beautiful tile work. Fortunately for us, The Adamson House is a monument to the now defunct business, displaying its best work throughout the house.

As I mentioned in my previous post, the Adamson House is a rare jewel amongst the nouveau riche architecture that Malibu is most known for. Built in 1931 for May Rindge's daughter Rhode Rindge Adamson and her family, the home is an uncommon mix of multiple influences. The architect, Stiles Clements wanted each facade to have a distinct style that would surprise you as you walked along the exterior of the home. The front of the house is unmistakably Andalusian with its mission style lines and low rising roofline. But, as you walk to the rear of the property you will notice a shift.

The rear facade resembles that of a Moorish Casbah rather than a Spanish Farmhouse. The pointed windows and large swaths of tile reference Moorish mosque architecture found in Southern Spain. But, when you thought that Mr. Clements couldn't disorient you anymore, he throws in yet another stylistic variation.

Clements' addition of the Italiante arched portways with bronze screen doors that are adorned with grape vines is a bit random, but somehow accentuates the other styles included in the house. The structure echoes the details with the inclusion of an Italianate loggia behind the archways. The integration of Malibu Potteries tile in every facet of the exterior blends beautiful with the array of styles and adds a magical touch to this otherwise monolithic structure.

The interior of the home exceeds the high expectations set by the exterior. Upon entering I was entranced by the immense amount of color and hand crafted details spread throughout the home. The tile work inside resembles that of a ceramic Rubik's Cube. The entrance hall's baseboards are made of jigsaw tile that helps to balance out the heavy plaster details of the walls. The most significant tile detail is the famous Persian Rug tile floors. Malibu Potteries designed two groupings of tiles that resembled a Persian rug when laid together. This is the only extant example of this type of ceramic tile from Malibu Potteries and they steal the show.

Persian Rug Tile Floor, courtesy of The Adamson House Foundation

Detail of Persian Rug Tile, courtesy of The Adamson House Foundation

In my previous post, I highlighted the window placement in the house. Clements' ability to create a photo worthy view from every window in the house proves his architectural talent. The distribution of light in the house helps to create a natural flow from room to room. Clement's designed the house to have definitive formal and informal spaces, but did not make the layout feel closed off restrained. The formal living room is simple but gracious. The interior designer, John Holtzclaw selected furnishings that created a casual but timeless look. The living room sofa is covered in a lime green chevron fabric that looks like it could be in an issue of Architectural Digest from this month. The furniture is a dream and I wouldn't change a thing, which is a rare occurrence when I tour most homes.

Living Room Fireplace, courtesy of The Adamson House Foundation

Formal Living Room, courtesy of The Adamson House Foundation

As you move to the back of the house you notice yet another change in the style. The kitchen incorporates "Spanish Deco" tiling. The bold color palette of oranges and turquoise laid out in a repetitive geometric pattern makes a statement: beauty belongs everywhere in a house, not just in the formal spaces. The kitchen is one of my favorite rooms in this house and proves that color will always be in style.

Kitchen, courtesy of The Adamson House Foundation

The second floor is home to four bedrooms and a kitchenette for the children. While most people would say that it is ridiculous to build your child a kitchen, I say why the hell not? The closest thing I had to my own kitchen as a child was my Play Mobile model home. The bedrooms are modest, but beautifully appointed. The bathroom tile work continues the Spanish motifs and packs the small spaces with character.

Master Bathroom featuring Rhoda Adamson's monogrammed hand towels

Even if this house was hideous, the views would make up for any deficit in taste. The second story balcony trumps the views from any of the homes on the adjacent Billionaire's Beach. You can also get a sneak peak of the beautiful saltwater pool (unfortunately it was closed for an event during my tour) that was originally filled with filtered ocean water from the Santa Monica Bay.

View from the balcony into the guest room

The grounds of the house are impeccably maintained. Keep in mind that the Adamson House is run by the California Parks system, so the fact that the grass is even green is a miracle. The gardens mix the natural desert fauna with expanses of lawn that run all the way to the beach and Malibu Lagoon. Now you can see why this is where all the Pepperdine students love to take photos for their formal events.

I have toured a lot of historical homes over the years, but The Adamson House stands out as one of the most unique. Le Corbusier once said that "the home should be the treasure chest of living." The Adamson House fits this perfectly with this mantra. Could you imagine yourself living in this treasure trove of ceramic tile? I sure as hell could.

If you'd like to visit The Adamson House, check out their hours and tour options here.

Cheers,

Hugh

“The home should be the treasure chest of living”

— Le Corbusier