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Storybook Style: Hansel and Gretel Cottage
Written May 5, 2010 by John Hendricks, Architect AIA • Filed Under Architecture, Storybook Style, Whimsical The Spadena House in Beverly Hills, California is one of the most recognizable homes of Storybook style architecture. Nicknamed “The Witch’s House”, this Hansel and Gretel cottage is the last thing you would expect to see in posh Beverly Hills. As an architect, my main critique would be that it needs more windows for natural light on the interior. But then again, who’s going to argue with a witch and her privacy demands.
In 1926 the home appeared in Dixon’s magazine, and was described as “A New Home With an Aged ‘Old World’ Appearance”. The article noted, “All lines in the designs are irregular, crooked and distorted, even the metal bars in the windows are not made straight. All of which, together with color used in painting the house, gives an old weather-beaten appearance.”
 The Storybook Style Spadena House is pure Hansel and Gretel. The house was designed in 1921 by an art director, and was built in Culver City to provide offices and dressing rooms for the Willat movie studio. The building doubled as a movie set and appeared in several silent films in the 1920s. The building soon became widely influential among maverick architects in search of new ideas.
Architect Charles Moore once described the home as the “quintessential Hansel and Gretel House”, and the home is believed to have greatly influenced the architecture of Disneyland, as well as Disney’s Imagineering department.
 The Spadena House is often referred to as "The Witch's House" The building moved to Beverly Hills in 1934 and has since served as a private residence, beginning with the Spadena Family. The Spadena House is the perfect example of an original Storybook house where it cartoonishly has no lines that are straight or plumb, and it was meant to appear rusticated. The roof has a seawave pattern that appears to leak horrendously and will fall in at any time. The front of the home is surrounded by a moat-like pond and gnarled, twisted trees. I would bet at Halloween that many children (and adults) wouldn’t dare steal a peak into one of the dark windows framed by the saggy wooden window shutters. But then again, how could you not?
John Hendricks, AIA Architect
Hendricks Architecture specializes in residential design, most specifically in the design of mountain style homes and cabins. See Storybook Cabin Plan for an example of one of our Storybook homes, and for more information on the Storybook Style. We’re located in Sandpoint, Idaho.
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10 Comments
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I love this unique and fun style of storybook architecture. I see your focus seems to be in mountain architecture so how grand would it be to combine the two! I could see a small town filled with these different quirky homes but being used as storefronts, restaurants and B&B’s. I think of Leavenworth in the mountains of Washington state and the large and consistent tourists they receive in the middle of nowhere! I’m honestly bored with all the current work out there and a storybook home or store would be so refreshing to the eyes.
I love that you took pictures on your vacation of the various architecture styles you saw. It really proved your dedication to your work. This is a really unique house- although it doesnt quite look like the normal Hansel and Gretal cottage from the storybook. The one from the stories is made entirely out of candy- that is why the children were drawn to it.
Cool storybook house!
the house of Hansel and Gretal? so cool! it really looks like a house from a fairy tale! it reminds me of my childhood! some rumors say that its owner is a real estate agent from Beverly Hills, Michael Libow. nice pictures!
When I grow up I want to build that house and spend my whole life in it.
I love this! I could live in a house like this, for sure! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Love this unique home. What is the square footage, # of bedrooms and baths? Would like more info. to build on own land.
I am not sure of the exact size and number of rooms. It was designed in 1921. We can design something similar, per your needs.
Love your website. There is a storybook house like this between Garfield Bay/Green Bay area above the lake which I am sure you know about. Maybe one of your designs. Marie
Thank you Marie. That complex was designed by a Minnesota architect, where the owner moved from.