West Coast Bungalows of the 1920s

It is better to build a small house than to overburden the budget with debt for a larger one," advised the noted architectural firm of Stillwell & Company. In their guide to economical homes, the Los Angeles-based builders declared, "A beautiful small house is just as expressive of character, aims, and aspirations as the large house. Mere size is a waste of money and human endeavor." A reaction to the excesses of the Victorian era, the modest bungalow provided a practical, affordable answer to the huge demands of California's housing market in the 1920s. This handsome reprint of a Stillwell & Company catalog is an ideal resource for 21st-century bungalow buyers and renovators as well as for builders seeking details of authentic materials and techniques. Its 50 examples of the classic California bungalow style include magnificently reproduced photographs, in addition to floor plans, estimated costs, and descriptions of exteriors and interiors.